The Science of Energy Work — And Why Mr. Miyagi Was Onto Something
If you grew up watching The Karate Kid, you will probably never forget the iconic moment when Mr. Miyagi rubs his hands together and places them over Daniel’s injured leg. What happens next feels like magic — Daniel stands up, ready to fight again.
But here is the thing: it might not be just movie magic.
As someone who works at the intersection of mental health and energy healing, I often hear this question:
“How does energy work actually work?”
The answer is both grounded in science and deeply intuitive.
Energy Work Is About Nervous System Regulation
When we talk about energy healing — whether it is Reiki, therapeutic touch, or another hands-on (or hands-near) modality — we are really talking about helping the body return to a regulated state.
Here is how it works:
- The body operates through two branches of the nervous system: sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest, digest, restore).
- Energy work creates the kind of calm, present environment that signals safety to the body — helping the parasympathetic system activate.
- This is when heart rate slows, breath deepens, and the body shifts from defense into healing.
It is not just about the technique — it is about the intention, presence, and coherence between practitioner and client.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science
What ancient traditions have practiced for centuries, science is only beginning to explore — and affirm:
- ✨ Reiki has been shown in studies to reduce pain, anxiety, and fatigue, especially in hospital and hospice settings.
- ✨ Heart rate variability (HRV) — a measure of emotional and physiological regulation — improves with practices like meditation and energy healing.
- ✨ The heart and brain generate electromagnetic fields measurable by tools like EKG and EEG. These fields are affected by stress, emotion, and even human connection.
- ✨ Touch itself is powerful. Even light, intentional touch can release oxytocin — the “bonding hormone” that promotes calm and trust.
When Mr. Miyagi placed his hands over Daniel’s injury, what he offered was not just “healing energy.” He offered presence. And presence is profoundly regulating.
What Clients Often Say
After an energy session, people often say things like:
- “I feel like I can breathe again.”
- “I don’t know what you did, but I feel lighter.”
- “It’s like my body remembered how to relax.”
That is because energy work does not force healing — it creates the conditions for healing to unfold. Your body already wants to restore itself. Energy work simply helps it get there.
It’s Not About Magic. It’s About Intention.
Healing is not always dramatic. Sometimes it looks like lying still and being deeply seen. Sometimes it is a wave of emotion, or a moment of quiet clarity.
At the heart of it all is a simple belief:
When we offer calm, grounded presence — to ourselves or others — we open the door to healing.
So yes, Mr. Miyagi was onto something.
Wax on. Breathe in. Regulate. Restore.