Healing Crisis with Reiki- What It Is & Why It Happens?
When I first started exploring Reiki during my healing journey, I was excited. The idea of channeling universal energy to balance my mind and body felt magical and hopeful. But what I didn’t expect was what is known as a “healing crisis.”
For me, this happened right after my initial Reiki practice. The first week was rough, I felt a bit under the weather, unusually tired, almost like I was catching a cold.
At first, I worried Reiki wasn’t working for me. But soon I learned that what I was experiencing was actually part of the process. After that initial week, things did get a lot better, but the experience stayed with me.
So, let’s break this down. What exactly is a Reiki healing crisis, and how does it compare to other healing methods like EFT Tapping?
What Is a Reiki Healing Crisis?
Despite how scary the name sounds, a healing crisis is not dangerous. It’s the body’s way of releasing toxins, emotions, and stagnant energy that have been stored up, sometimes for years.
Reiki channels universal energy into the body, which starts clearing away blockages. In doing so, the body can react with short-term discomfort.
Some common signs of a Reiki healing crisis include:
- Feeling extremely tired or needing more sleep than usual
- Headaches, body aches, or flu-like symptoms
- Strong emotional reactions like crying, sadness, or irritability
- Temporary resurfacing of old symptoms or memories
- Digestive changes, like more frequent trips to the bathroom
It usually lasts for a few days to a week, after which people often report feeling lighter, calmer, and clearer.
My Own Experience With Reiki
When I first practiced Reiki, I remember feeling hopeful yet nervous. And then it hit me: that first week, I really did feel “off.”
I had less energy, and it felt like my body was trying to push something out. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was uncomfortable enough that I questioned if I was doing the right thing.
Eventually, things started to stabilize, and I did notice some calmness and overall relief.
But the truth is, those first few days shook me up. I kept thinking: If healing is supposed to make me feel better, why do I feel worse before I feel better?
The Problem With Reiki Healing Crises
While a healing crisis can mean your energy is shifting, it can also feel discouraging, especially for people who are already unwell or emotionally drained.
Imagine someone with chronic illness or severe anxiety. The last thing they want is to feel “worse before better.”
That’s one of the main limitations I found in Reiki. Yes, it is gentle and effective in its own way, but the healing process can sometimes bring side effects that make people want to quit too soon.
Why EFT Tapping Felt Different for Me
After my Reiki phase, I discovered EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques), and my experience was very different. EFT works on specific events, memories, or emotional triggers by combining gentle tapping on acupressure points with verbal acknowledgment of feelings.
The biggest difference? EFT didn’t throw me into a healing crisis. Instead of feeling worse before feeling better, I often felt immediate relief, calm, and lightness after a session.
Here’s why I believe EFT works more smoothly than Reiki in this regard:
- Targeted Healing: Reiki spreads energy through the whole body, which can stir up a lot at once. EFT zeroes in on one specific issue at a time, making the release manageable.
- Fewer Backlashes: With Reiki, you often ride out detox symptoms. With EFT, most of the time the shift feels instant and clean. If emotions do surface, tapping can calm them down quickly.
- Self-Directed: EFT is simple enough that you can do it yourself even if you’re feeling sick, weak, or emotionally fragile. Reiki self-healing takes practice, and if your energy is low, the results may not be as strong.
- Emotional Safety: If something painful comes up during EFT, you can pause, slow down, or gently tap through it. With Reiki, the process is more passive energy flows, but you don’t have the same direct control.
How EFT Can Even Support Reiki Practitioners
Here’s something interesting: EFT tapping can also be used alongside Reiki to make the healing crisis smoother. If uncomfortable emotions or physical detox symptoms come up after a Reiki session, tapping can often help reduce their intensity.
I actually find eft tapping faster and easier than Reiki. EFT Tapping is so effective and it works out best if you are dealing with emotional issues and most of my EFT Tapping clients have the same to say.
For example:
- Feeling anxious or restless after Reiki? Tap on the anxiety until it softens.
- Headache or fatigue after Reiki? Tap while acknowledging the discomfort.
- Overwhelmed by emotions? Use EFT to bring down the charge.
This way, EFT doesn’t just replace Reiki, it can also support it.
Reiki vs EFT: My Personal Recommendation
Looking back, I’m grateful for my Reiki experience because it introduced me to the world of energy healing. But if I had to recommend one practice for people struggling with depression, anxiety, or physical symptoms, it would be EFT Tapping.
Why? Because:
- It works quickly, often in one session.
- It doesn’t usually cause the uncomfortable healing crisis that Reiki can bring.
- It gives you tools to manage your emotions in real time.
- It empowers you to be your own healer without depending on someone else’s energy.
Final Thoughts
The Reiki healing crisis is real, I lived through it myself. It can feel unsettling, but for many, it’s a sign that deep changes are happening. However, for those who don’t want to risk feeling worse before they feel better, EFT Tapping offers a gentler, faster, and more direct path.
Healing is never one-size-fits-all. Reiki may be the perfect doorway for some. But for me, EFT has been the tool that truly transformed my life without the setbacks(and all my clients feel the same).
If you’re navigating your healing journey and want support in exploring EFT, I’d love to guide you. Remember: you don’t have to go through the ups and downs alone. Healing can be calm, steady, and powerful all at the same time.
