The treatment begins mostly as he patient is resting on their back in a soft lit room for a hour or more listening to gentle music and nature sounds. This is to make them relax as it helps to release stress. Then the basic hand positions followed by the practitioner begin on the head, and end at the feet. Once the front of the body is completed, the client will be asked to carefully roll over so the back of the client can be addressed. Most generally, the client is so relaxed at "half-time" they will be surprised the treatment is half over.

The client will experience a range of feelings, especially heat, tingling, waves of energy, bubbles, stomach gurgling, laughter, tears, sighing, deep breaths, or just feel very relaxed from the hands of the practitioner. All depends on the client's personal, physical, and emotional environment. Sometimes they may even fall asleep throughout the entire session.

As a client becomes more experienced with Reiki energy therapy treatment, and a relationship builds between the practitioner and the client, variations of the treatment procedure may develop.

At the close of a treatment session, it is recommended that the client slowly sit up and rest for a moment prior to standing. Water is to be drunk and also try to flush toxins from their system.