5 Minutes With… REIKI Energy Alignment

15 July 2025 — jessica-bailey

We spoke with Annie MacDonald, owner of REIKI Energy Alignment and a fully qualified and insured Usui and Karuna Reiki Therapist, to learn more about Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) – the Japanese term for ‘universal life energy’. Reiki is a complementary therapy that can be used alongside traditional cancer treatments to help relieve symptoms and side effects.

Tell us about your organisation?

REIKI Energy Alignment – Cornwall was established in 2019 following a relocation from West Sussex. The practice is based in a dedicated Reiki Room located in Four Lanes, Redruth (TR16 6LQ), offering a calming and restorative space for energy alignment and healing.

What services do you offer people living with cancer?

Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive complementary therapy designed to work in harmony with conventional medical and cancer treatments. It facilitates deep physical and mental relaxation, helping to create a safe and nurturing environment where patients can release tension, alleviate emotional distress, and reconnect with a sense of inner calm.

By restoring energetic balance and promoting a state of ease, Reiki can support the body’s natural healing processes and help relieve common symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment — such as fatigue, anxiety, and discomfort. Each session is tailored to meet your individual needs and preferences. You may choose a single treatment for short-term support or establish a regular schedule with weekly or monthly sessions as part of your ongoing care plan.

Do you have a target demographic who use your services?

Our Reiki service is available to anyone aged 18 or over who has been diagnosed with any type of cancer. We offer gentle, supportive care for those currently living with cancer, those navigating life beyond treatment, and individuals with a terminal diagnosis.

We also warmly welcome family members, friends, and carers supporting a loved one through their journey. This space is for you, too.

How are you funded?

This service operates as a private practice, with treatment costs covered by the individual. We’re pleased to offer a discounted rate to anyone impacted by cancer, as part of our commitment to compassionate care.

Has anything changed for your organisation since the pandemic?

In the wake of the pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in how people approach their mental and emotional wellbeing. With NHS services under increased pressure and wait times on the rise, many individuals are now more open to exploring complementary therapies as a proactive way to support their overall health and wellbeing.

What’s the most rewarding thing about the work you do?

The most fulfilling aspect of my work lies in witnessing the immediate sense of relief and well-being that clients often experience following a Reiki session. Many report feeling noticeably lighter, more relaxed, and better equipped to manage life’s demands. There’s a renewed sense of calm and hope that often accompanies treatment — a gentle reminder of the body’s innate capacity to restore and rebalance.

What would you say to those who are considering getting in touch with you but are nervous or apprehensive?

I warmly encourage you to consider giving Reiki a try. It’s a gentle, natural healing practice that works in harmony with your own energy and unfolds at your personal pace. Reiki can offer comforting support and deep relaxation, helping to ease emotional burdens and guide you back to a renewed sense of balance and self-connection.

Do you have testimonials from people that have used your services?

Who works for you?

I currently operate my business independently, without additional staff.

What are the values of your organisation?

The foundational values are:

Healing & Compassion: Prioritize the emotional, physical, and energetic healing of others through unconditional kindness and empathy.

Integrity & Trust: Uphold confidentiality, honesty, and transparency in every client interaction.

Presence & Mindfulness: Maintain an intentional focus on the present moment in every session, tuning into your client’s needs with clarity and attentiveness.

Energy Balance & Alignment: Promote harmony in the body’s energy centers, helping clients reconnect with their own natural flow.

Respect & Non-Judgment: Honour each person’s unique spiritual and personal journey without judgement or bias.

Growth & Empowerment: Support clients not only in healing but also in developing self-awareness, resilience, and personal growth.

Spiritual Connection: Recognise and nurture the sacred connection between universal energy and the inner self.

And finally, can you describe your organisation in 3 words?

Relax: A sanctuary for the stressed—calm lighting, soothing sounds, and the gentle hands of a practitioner channelling universal energy.

Release: Emotional blocks and tension held deep within the body begin to dissolve, leaving space for healing.

Restore: Mind, body, and energy return to harmony, refreshed and realigned.

You can find out more about Annie’s services on her website: www.reikienergyalignment.com.

Consult your cancer team or GP before making any lifestyle changes. Some therapies may not be suitable alongside certain cancer treatments.

If you’d like to discover complementary therapies and other cancer services in your area, please search on Cancer Care Map’s homepage using your postcode.