What it is
A Reiki lineage framed by Tibetan Medicine Buddha practice. "Men Chho" is Tibetan for "medicine offering."
Traditional use
Men Chho Reiki
A Reiki lineage rooted in Tibetan Medicine Buddha practice. The name means "medicine offering" — it is for everyone.
CategoryMetaphysical
SafetyLow risk
Reviewed by Gyfts Editorial Team · Editorial Health Review
1 October 2026
At a glance
Men Chho Reiki at a glance
Why explore it
May support calm, rest and emotional release, with an explicitly Buddhist structure rather than a secular one.
How it’s experienced
You lie fully clothed while a practitioner works with mantra, visualization and light hand placements.
Evidence context
Traditional use. No research exists on this lineage specifically, and general Reiki evidence is limited.
See the evidence snapshotSafety
Generally low-risk. Consult your provider first if you have a serious mental health condition.
See staying safeHistory & Origin
About Men Chho Reiki
Men Chho Reiki is a Reiki lineage that draws on Tibetan Buddhist Medicine Buddha practice. The name is Tibetan for "medicine offering" — it is practiced by and for people of any gender.
The name is the first thing to set right. "Men Chho" transliterates the Tibetan sMan mChod, "medicine offering," and shares its root with Sangye Menla, the Tibetan name for the Medicine Buddha. In English the first word reads as something it is not. The practice has no relation to the word "men," and it has always been open to and practiced by people of any gender.
Men Chho Reiki is a modern synthesis lineage, and a distinct one. It took shape in the late twentieth century and is attributed to Lama Yeshe Drugpa Thrinley Odzer, also known as Richard Blackwell, who organized a body of Vajrayana Buddhist teaching into a framework that energy practitioners could train in. Its teachers present this as recovery rather than invention — an esoteric Buddhist dimension they hold to sit behind Mikao Usui's system, citing accounts that Usui studied Sanskrit and Tibetan texts before his 1922 retreat on Mount Kurama. Historians treat those accounts as oral tradition rather than documented record, and that distinction is worth keeping in view. What is not in question is the result: a lineage consciously and openly Buddhist in a way that secular Western Reiki is not.
At its center stands Bhaisajyaguru, the Medicine Buddha, a figure in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism associated with the relief of physical and mental suffering. Practitioners work directly with his mantra and visualization as the frame for every session, and this is the clearest departure from conventional Reiki. The devotional structure is not an addition to the technique. It is the setting in which the technique is held.
Beyond that historical frame, the lineage is taught as a contemplative discipline rather than a relaxation treatment. Practitioners describe the work in terms of spiritual ascension and higher consciousness, and they approach the body as layered rather than singular, with purification proceeding through successive strata rather than in a single pass. The method brings in specialized meditative focuses, subtle breathwork, and what the tradition names as vibrational frequencies, each directed at clearing long-settled blockages in what practitioners call the etheric body. The stated aim is to harmonize mind, body and spirit, and to bring the seeker toward psychological and spiritual wholeness.
These are the terms the tradition uses for itself, and they describe a religious and contemplative practice rather than a clinical mechanism. No research has tested them. They are best read as an account of meaning and intention rather than of physiology.
Mechanism
How it works
Men Chho Reiki is best understood as a traditional and spiritual practice rather than a validated medical mechanism. The session combines Reiki hand positions with Tibetan Buddhist mantra, symbol and visualization centered on the Medicine Buddha. People explore it for calm, reflection and spiritual context, and health claims should stay cautious and personal.
- Shared IntentionYou name a question, intention, or area of life to focus on.
- Traditional FrameThe session draws on symbolic, spiritual, or intuitive frameworks.
- Session ProcessThe practitioner may use meditation, sound, imagery, or gentle guidance.
- Reflective ProcessingYou notice feelings, images, or insights without any diagnostic meaning.
- Session IntegrationAfterward, rest, journaling, or grounding helps you absorb what felt meaningful.
Your first visit
What to expect from a session
A typical session outline to help you feel prepared
A Men Chho Reiki session combines a short intake conversation with Reiki hand positions held inside a Tibetan Buddhist frame.
Welcome and intake
Your practitioner opens with a relaxed conversation about your health history, your stress levels and what you are hoping for, so the session can be shaped around what matters to you.
Setting an intention
Together you name a simple focus for the session — rest, emotional release, clarity, or spiritual connection — which gives the work a direction.
Getting comfortable
You lie fully clothed on a padded table in a quiet, softly lit room. Nothing is removed, so wear something loose that you can relax in.
Opening the practice
The practitioner establishes the Medicine Buddha connection through mantra and visualization. You may hear this spoken quietly or it may be done silently, and you are welcome to ask beforehand which it will be.
Sensing the field
Before touch begins, the practitioner passes their hands a few inches above your body, noting where energy feels congested or depleted and where the session should focus.
The hands-on work
The practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above specific areas, moving through a sequence of positions. You may notice warmth, gentle tingling, or a deep settling, and you may notice nothing in particular.
Stillness
Most of the session passes in silence. Drifting off, feeling emotion surface, or simply resting are all normal.
Closing and grounding
Toward the end the practitioner grounds your energy field with a few slow sweeping movements so you feel settled and present before sitting up.
Debrief
You will have a few minutes to share anything you noticed, and your practitioner can suggest simple ways to rest and settle in the day or two afterward.
The Evidence
Evidence context
What research and traditional knowledge say about Men Chho Reiki and its broader Reiki foundations.
Overall pictureTraditional Use
Rooted in tradition; limited dedicated research
Men Chho Reiki draws on the broader Reiki tradition, which has some research support for relaxation and stress reduction but significant methodological limitations. Men Chho Reiki itself has no dedicated studies, making it an area of traditional practice rather than evidence-based intervention.
What the research showsGeneral Reiki research is limited; Men Chho Reiki has no dedicated studies.
Reiki broadly has been explored for relaxation, stress reduction, and psychological well-being, with some systematic reviews showing modest effects. However, most studies involve small samples and difficulty controlling for placebo and therapeutic attention. Men Chho Reiki as a specific adaptation has no published research of its own.
Traditional and historical rootsMen Chho Reiki adapts the Japanese Reiki tradition with a focus on men's wellness.
Reiki originated in early 20th-century Japan through Mikao Usui's practice and has been used globally as a complementary wellness approach. Men Chho Reiki is a contemporary adaptation that applies Reiki principles to men's specific health patterns and emotional experiences. It lacks formal historical lineage documentation but reflects a growing trend toward gender-sensitive complementary practice.
A holistic wellness perspectiveMen Chho Reiki addresses physical, emotional, and lifestyle dimensions of men's health.
Within a holistic framework, Men Chho Reiki aims to support stress resilience, emotional processing, and general vitality rather than targeting specific conditions. It may complement lifestyle practices such as sleep hygiene, movement, and social connection. It is best understood as one element within a broader personal wellness approach.
Important limitations to understandEvidence gaps mean outcome expectations should remain realistic and grounded.
Whether Reiki's observed effects arise from specific energy mechanisms or from relaxation, expectation, and therapeutic attention remains unresolved. Men Chho Reiki's gender-specific framing is clinically untested. Practitioners and users should be cautious of inflated outcome claims and should not use this modality as a substitute for professional assessment of physical or mental health concerns.
Safety and when to seek other careMen Chho Reiki is generally low-risk but should not replace professional care.
Reiki-based practices are widely considered safe for most people when used alongside, not instead of, conventional care. Those managing serious mental health conditions, acute emotional distress, or undiagnosed physical symptoms should consult a qualified health professional first. Continue any prescribed medications or treatments; this modality is complementary, not a substitute.
Choosing a practitionerPractitioner quality and transparency matter when exploring Men Chho Reiki.
Look for practitioners who are transparent about their training lineage, experience, and the limits of what Reiki can offer. Regulation of Reiki practitioners varies significantly by country. A trustworthy practitioner will not discourage you from seeking conventional medical or psychological support and will not make inflated outcome claims.
Safety first
Staying safe
General guidance to help you decide whether this approach is appropriate for you. This is informational only and not a substitute for medical, psychological, or professional advice.
Check with a professional first
If you are experiencing severe distress, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, acute trauma, or another serious mental health concern, seek qualified support first.
See specific guidance
- If you have a diagnosed mental health condition such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, or psychosis, consult your mental health provider before beginning Reiki. While energy work can be complementary, it should not replace psychiatric or psychological treatment for serious mental health conditions. Similarly, if you're experiencing acute suicidal thoughts or severe emotional distress, seek immediate professional mental health support.
- Reiki should never replace conventional medical treatment for physical illness or injury. If you have an undiagnosed physical symptom or condition, seek medical evaluation first. Those with pacemakers or other electronic implants should inform their practitioner, though Reiki is generally considered safe with these devices. If you're taking medications, continue them as prescribed; Reiki does not interact with medications but complements medical treatment.
When this may not be suitable
This approach is not suitable for diagnosis, treatment instructions, or decisions that require medical, legal, financial, or professional advice.
See specific guidance
- Choose a qualified practitioner with recognized Reiki training and clear professional boundaries. Ensure the treatment environment feels safe and comfortable. It's appropriate to remain fully clothed during sessions. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, communicate clearly with your practitioner—you can pause or stop the session. Be aware that Reiki may trigger emotional release; this is normal but ensure you have adequate support afterward. Avoid making major life decisions immediately after a session when you may be in a particularly relaxed or emotionally open state.
Choosing a practitioner
Look for clear boundaries, transparent pricing, and practitioners who avoid fear-based claims or pressure to book frequent sessions.
Keep perspective
Treat any insight as one reflective perspective, not absolute truth. Important decisions should be considered with appropriate professional support.
For you?
Is this right for you?
A simple, human way to weigh it up. This is general guidance, not personal medical advice — a qualified practitioner can advise on your situation.
May be a good fit if…
- Men Chho Reiki suits anyone drawn to energy work with an explicit Buddhist frame, including people already practicing Tibetan Buddhism and people who find a devotional structure more meaningful than a secular one. It is open to all genders. It works well for those seeking calm, emotional release or spiritual context alongside — not instead of — conventional care.
May not be right if…
- This is not a treatment for a medical or psychiatric condition and should not be used as one. If you would rather not engage with religious content, secular Reiki lineages such as Usui or Jikiden are a closer fit. Anyone in acute mental health crisis, or with an undiagnosed physical symptom, should seek qualified care first.
Gyfts is a discovery platform, not a medical provider. Nothing here diagnoses, treats or replaces professional care. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number.
Explore approaches
Related modalities
Other practices people often explore alongside men chho reiki.
In their words
People often describe it as
devotionalmeditativesymbolicspaciousgroundingritual-basedcalmingcontemplative
Before you book
Choosing a practitioner
FAQ
Common questions
Is Men Chho Reiki only for men?
No. The name is Tibetan, not English. "Men Chho" transliterates sMan mChod, meaning "medicine offering" — the same sMan that appears in Sangye Menla, the Tibetan name for the Medicine Buddha. The practice has never been directed at one gender and is open to everyone. The confusion is purely an accident of how the Tibetan looks in English.
How is Men Chho Reiki different from Usui Reiki?
Usui Reiki as it reached the West is taught with four symbols and a deliberately non-religious framing, so a student can learn it without engaging with any belief system. Men Chho Reiki sits inside Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism: the session is framed by Medicine Buddha mantra and visualization, and the symbols and mantras are taught as specific frequencies with particular jobs. It is the more devotional and more structured of the two. Neither has been shown to outperform the other clinically.
How does it compare to Karuna Reiki?
Both add material beyond Usui's four symbols, but from different directions. Karuna Reiki draws on a blend of Christian and Buddhist influences, uses a larger set of roughly eight to twelve symbols, and often incorporates toning or chanting during the session. Men Chho Reiki stays within one religious tradition and asks the practitioner to train in it. The difference is one of lineage and method, not demonstrated effect.
What are the three training levels?
Level 1, Awakening or Shoden, opens the practitioner's channel, establishes the Medicine Buddha connection, and introduces mindfulness and work with karmic blocks. Level 2, Inner Teachings or Okuden, adds the mantras and symbols, work with ancestral patterns, and distance healing. Level 3, Master or Shinpiden, concerns what the tradition calls illumination of mind and carries the authority to attune others. If you are receiving a session rather than training, your practitioner should be able to tell you which level they hold and who attuned them.
Do I have to be Buddhist to receive a session?
No, and practitioners generally make that clear. You will encounter Buddhist content — mantra, visualization, reference to the Medicine Buddha — because that frame is the practice rather than a decoration on it. If that content would be unwelcome, a secular lineage such as Usui or Jikiden Reiki is a better fit. If you are curious about it, say so at the start and your practitioner can explain what they are doing as they go.
Will I feel anything during a session?
Experiences vary and all of them are ordinary. Some people report warmth, tingling or a sense of movement; others feel deep relaxation, heaviness or lightness. Some notice emotional release, imagery or insight. Many simply feel calm, much as in deep meditation, and some notice nothing during the session but better sleep or a clearer head afterward. A quiet session is not a failed one.
Is there scientific evidence that this works?
Not for this lineage specifically — no study has tested it. The broader Reiki literature suggests modest benefits for relaxation and self-reported anxiety, but the studies are mostly small, blinding is difficult, and where Reiki has been compared against sham treatment delivered with the same attention, the difference tends to narrow or disappear. The reasonable reading is that rest, expectation and a practitioner's sustained attention explain much of what people report. That can be genuinely worth having. It is not evidence that the practice treats a medical condition.
Can it interact with my medications?
No. Reiki involves no substance and does not interact chemically with anything you take. Continue your medications exactly as prescribed, and tell your practitioner about any health conditions so they can adapt your position and the length of the session for your comfort.
References
Evidence & Research
Educational sources that inform this overview. Inclusion is for context and does not imply endorsement.
- Biofield Therapies: Helpful or Full of Hype? A Best Evidence Synthesis
- Reiki: What You Need To Know
- Biofield Science and Healing: History, Terminology, and Concepts
Full citations are maintained by the Gyfts editorial team and reviewed periodically.
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