5 Ways Reiki Can Help Heal Disordered Eating

A Reiki Experience

There is a sense of peace in the house. Six women are relaxing in twin beds and yoga mats on the floor while gentle music plays in the background. After I gently guide the women out of their meditative state and leave the room, several of them come up to me to share their experience. 

During my group Reiki energy healing session at a residential eating disorder treatment facility, one woman reported that she could feel my presence with her even after I had moved on. Another stated that she was transported to an entirely different place. And yet another started to make peace with her body because it was finally starting to feel like a safe place.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a gentle holistic healing technique that involves channeling a loving, universal energy from the Reiki healer to the receiver. This healing works with the Chakra system to heal any discomfort or dis-ease in the system. Reiki works on the physical body and can also help heal emotional, mental, and spiritual wounds. One of the most common benefits of a Reiki session is calming the body and mind. As someone who has recovered from an eating disorder, body image issues, and high anxiety myself, I personally know how meaningful this peaceful, healing time could be to someone healing from disordered eating.

What is an eating disorder?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating disorders are “serious … illnesses that are associated with severe disturbances in people’s eating behavior and related thoughts and emotions. Preoccupation with food, body weight, and shape may also signal an eating disorder.” There are several different kinds of eating disorders, but the most common are:

• Anorexia nervosa: A condition where people restrict or avoid food. Some signs of anorexia include:
• Extremely restricted and rigid eating patterns
• A relentless pursuit of thinness and fear of gaining weight
• A distorted body image

• Bulimia nervosa: A condition where people have repeated episodes of eating an unusually large amount of food, followed by behavior that compensates for the overeating. Some signs of bulimia include:
• Chronically sore throat and swollen glands
• Severe dehydration from purging fluids
• Chaotic behaviors around food, alternating between restriction and overeating

• Binge-eating disorder: A condition where people lose control over their eating and have repeated episodes of eating an unusually large amount of food. This condition is different from bulimia nervosa in that no compensatory behavior follows the overeating episode. Other signs of binge-eating disorder include:
• Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time
• Eating when not hungry and until uncomfortably full
• Feeling distressed or ashamed about eating

What is a Reiki healing session like?

Reiki energy healing is a gentle, holistic approach to natural healing. Reiki encourages the mind and body to relax and heal in its own way. It releases tension and naturally reduces physical and psychological pain. 

I ask my Reiki clients to come to their sessions comfortably dressed. We spend a little time discussing their intentions for their session and grounding.  Then, my client relaxes fully clothed on a massage table, often with crystals that are attuned to their intentions and needs. I often start by opening the client’s Chakras so that they can fully receive the benefits of Reiki before moving on to intuitively sending the healing energy where it is needed.

Reiki can be offered via gentle touch or with the healer's hands hovering over the receiver's body. Because touch is not required, Reiki can provide a safer healing and relaxation method for someone dealing with trauma related to physical touch.

After the healing is complete, I spend time processing the session with the client. We discuss next steps for their healing and anything that might have come up in session. I give the client a little time to journal and answer any questions they have.

Reiki clients often feel the benefits of the Reiki session for 2-3 days following the session. During this time, I ask them to be open to any additional messages they might receive from their higher self. This can be a great time to set intentions and to journal.

Individuals often enjoy the benefits of a Reiki healing session in as little as one session. However, many clients enjoy the experience so much that they return for repeated healing sessions.

Reiki in an eating disorder treatment setting

As a psychology technician and holistic healer at an eating disorder treatment facility, I offered a weekly Reiki energy healing group, along with some gentle movement groups. Reiki was an optional group, and patients could also use the time to journal or nap. However, I found that most women made it a priority to attend this group regularly, as they looked forward to this quiet, healing time.  I also noticed that treatment center staff would regularly join us as a way to reduce stress while on the job. Reiki groups were held immediately before meal time, which was often a stressful time for patients and staff in the center. It was so fulfilling to feel the energy in the house shifting into a more grounded, relaxed state during and after the group.

5 ways Reiki can help heal disordered eating

In talking with the women at the eating disorder treatment center after our Reiki healing groups, I found some common themes in how Reiki helped them in their recovery.  Here are five key ways that Reiki helped them along their journey:

1. Mental rest: Recovery takes a lot of mental work and strength. A Reiki healing session is a great way to allow the mind to rest and replenish.
2. Gentle touch: Reiki can be offered via gentle touch, or with hands hovering over the body. Often, the gentle touch given by a Reiki practitioner feels soothing and comforting, allowing an individual to start to get comfortable with physical touch.
3. Physical relaxation: Reiki is an extremely calming practice and allows both the mind and body to rest. Several women at the center reported that our weekly Reiki session was the only time during the week that they felt relaxed.
4. Coping mechanism: In a Reiki session, we get quiet and go internal. Receivers are encouraged to notice any sensations or visions they get during the session. These mindfulness techniques can also be used when feeling triggered or anxious to calm the mind.
5. Mind-body connection: Reiki relaxes the mind and the body together. The receiver becomes aware of the subtle sensations in their body. As we get more familiar with our body and its messages, the body becomes more of a safe space that we are motivated to care for.

How to find a Reiki healer

Reiki is becoming a popular natural healing modality, and you can find Reiki practitioners just about anywhere these days. Most well-trained healers can offer Reiki in person as well as distance Reiki remotely. If you are interested in learning more about how I practice Reiki, you can navigate over to the Reiki portion of my website or email me. I have found Reiki to be such a healing practice for both myself and my clients and am passionate about talking about it!