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If you’ve ever looked at our treatment menu and thought, Is Reiki a Massage, you’re definitely not the only one. It’s a fair question. The words get bundled together a lot, especially when you see something called a Reiki Massage listed. But while Reiki and Massage can work hand-in-hand, they’re not the same thing.
At Transcend, we offer both as core parts of our treatment offering, because each brings something different to the table. Whether your body’s crying out for deep release, or your nervous system just needs a reset, understanding the difference between Reiki and Massage can help you figure out what kind of session your whole self actually needs.
Understanding the Basics
What Is Massage?
Massage is more physical. It’s about working with the muscles, fascia, and tissues to release tension, improve circulation, and bring the body back into alignment.
Whether it’s Deep Tissue, Swedish, or something in between, Massage tends to focus on the aches and pains you can point to. The tight shoulders, the clenched jaw, the lower back that won’t quit.
In Massage, your practitioner uses pressure, movement, and sometimes oils to support your body’s release process. It’s especially great if you’ve been holding stress in your body or sitting hunched over a laptop for hours on end. Massage meets the body where it’s at, and helps it let go.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is energy work. It’s not a type of massage, though it can feel just as relaxing. There’s no kneading, no oils, no physical manipulation of the muscles.
Instead, Reiki works with your energetic body, helping to shift things you might not even have language for. The practitioner places their hands gently on or just above your body and acts as a channel for universal energy, with the intention of helping you rebalance.
You’re fully clothed, the space is calm, and it often feels like something inside you finally exhales. People describe tingling, warmth, a sense of lightness, or even emotional releases during a session. And no, you don’t have to believe in anything specific for it to work. Reiki meets you where you are.
Clearing Up the Confusion
5 Key Differences Between Reiki and Massage
If you’ve ever wondered how Reiki compares to massage, you’re not alone. While both are deeply relaxing and often part of holistic wellness routines, they work in completely different ways. Here’s a breakdown of the five biggest differences:
1. Physical vs Energetic
Massage is physical. It focuses on the body, working with muscles, joints, and fascia to relieve tension. Reiki is energetic. It works with your energy field to bring balance, without any need for physical manipulation.
2. Tools and Techniques
Massage therapists use oils, pressure, kneading, and stroking techniques. Reiki practitioners don’t use any tools. Sometimes there’s light touch, sometimes no contact at all, it’s all about channelling energy.
3. What It Targets
Massage helps with physical aches and pains. Tight shoulders. Sore backs. Headaches. Reiki supports emotional and energetic imbalances. Things like stress, anxiety, or feeling disconnected, even when your body feels fine.
4. The Experience
Massage can feel intense or even a bit uncomfortable if you’re releasing deep knots. Reiki usually feels gentle, calming, and still. You might feel heat, tingling, or nothing at all. But most people report feeling lighter after.
5. What You Walk Away With
After a massage, your muscles feel looser and your body more mobile. After Reiki, you might feel more grounded, centred, or clear-headed. It’s subtle, but the shifts can be profound.
So, Is Reiki Like a Massage?
Not really. They might both leave you feeling better in yourself, but they work completely differently. Massage deals with tension you can physically feel. Reiki helps shift the stuff you might not even realise you’re holding.
Is Reiki a Type of Massage?
Nope. It’s a totally different practice. Reiki doesn’t use pressure or movement. It’s about creating stillness and balance in the energetic body, not manually changing the physical one. If you’ve ever felt emotionally off but couldn’t explain why, Reiki can be a gentle and powerful tool to support you.
So… What Is a Reiki Massage, Then?
The term Reiki Massage isn’t a technical one, but it’s often used to describe a session that blends both Reiki and Massage techniques. Think of it as a treatment that works with both your body and your energy. At Transcend, we have practitioners trained in both, and they tailor the session based on what you need.
Maybe you’ll start with a bit of Massage to help your body unwind, then move into Reiki for some deeper emotional or energetic clearing. Or maybe the two will be woven together throughout. A Reiki Massage is ideal if you feel like you’re carrying tension on more than one level, which, let’s face it, most of us are.
Why We Offer Both at Transcend
Whether you visit us in Eccles or in Salford Quays, you’ll find both Reiki and Massage on the treatment list. They’re a big part of what we do, because we believe healing isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Sometimes you need a muscle to release. Sometimes you need your nervous system to feel safe enough to let go. And sometimes, you just need to lie down and let someone else hold space for a bit. Our team are trauma-aware, inclusive, and completely non-judgemental. You don’t need to know what’s wrong before you book. You don’t need to explain your whole life story. We’re here to support you however you arrive.
Still Wondering, Is Reiki a Massage?
That question usually comes up when we’re chatting to customers in our shop considering a treatment, but unsure what to pick. If you’re curious what’s right for you, just ask us. We’ll help you figure out what feels right for your body, mind, and energy on that day.
And if you’re ready to dive in and try it out…
Book In and Feel the Difference
Whether you’re curious about Reiki, keen to get a Massage, or want to experience a Reiki Massage for yourself, you’re in the right place. Head to the links below, check out what’s available, and get yourself booked in.
Because your body, mind, and energy all deserve a bit of care.
