Energy Healing Isn’t Just Woo-Woo: The Science Behind Why It Works
A deep dive with Kristin Onderdonk into how energy techniques like Reiki, tapping, breathwork, and somatic movement create real physiological shifts in the body.
When Science Meets Energy Medicine
This conversation came alive in a recent solo episode of STOP & FLOW with K.O., where I explored what really happens when we use energy-based techniques like Reiki, tapping, breathwork, and somatic movement.
As a former CPA who spent years auditing systems, I understand the desire for proof. Many of my clients and podcast listeners ask:
"Do these energy practices actually work? Or is it just woo-woo?"
You don’t have to believe in gravity for it to work. And energy—our energy—is no different.
(P.S. If you’d rather listen than read, catch the full episode here: EnjoyChi - Podcast
Your Body Already Knows
In the episode, I shared a moment we’ve all experienced: walking into a room and instantly sensing the mood—without anyone saying a word. That’s energy.
Your body is constantly reading and responding to energy fields, even if you don’t realize it. It’s why you can sense when someone is joyful, when something feels off, or when an environment is charged with tension.
This isn’t opinion—it’s physics. Our bodies generate electromagnetic fields. Our hearts and brains emit measurable energy waves. The enthusiasm in someone’s voice, the calm in another—these are energetic signals our bodies pick up and respond to.
In other words: Energy is real, and it’s always influencing you.
Different Energy Types for Different People
On the podcast, I shared a personal story about my sister that illustrates how we all interact with energy differently.
She loves loud, bustling restaurants—places where people clap, sing, and celebrate. That kind of environment energizes her.
For me? That same setting feels like bamboo sticks under my fingernails! 🙃 I’d much rather have a quiet, one-on-one conversation where I can really hear the person in front of me.
Neither of us is right or wrong—we’re just wired differently. And learning how we uniquely process energy is powerful information. It helps us set boundaries, recharge effectively, and navigate life with more ease.
If you’ve ever felt drained after social events while others seem recharged, or vice versa, this might resonate!
The Science Behind the Techniques
In the episode, I broke down the physiology of some of the most powerful energy techniques, including how they work in the body. Here’s what the science says:
🔹 Reiki & Hands-On Healing
Research shows Reiki influences the autonomic nervous system, reducing stress markers and improving heart rate variability. That’s why hospitals and recovery centers are increasingly integrating it for pain management.
💡 Try this now (just like we did on the podcast!):
Place your hands over your closed eyes, cupping them gently. Feel how your breath naturally deepens? That’s your nervous system shifting—your body knows how to relax when given the right input.
🔹 Tapping (EFT)
Tapping works like acupuncture—without needles.
By tapping on specific meridian points while focusing on emotions or thoughts, you’re allowing blocked energy to flow freely.
I mentioned in the episode that studies show tapping reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) by up to 43% in just one session—which is massive. That’s not magic—it’s physiology.
If you’re skeptical, I totally get it. But I challenge you to try it. I’ve seen people physically feel their anxiety release in real time.
🔹 Breathwork
Breath is pure energy in motion. If you want access to your nervous system, start with your breath.
Fast, shallow breathing triggers fight-or-flight mode. Slow, deep breathing shifts you into the parasympathetic rest and repair state.
💡 On the podcast, I guided listeners through Box Breathing:
Inhale for 4 counts
Hold for 4 counts
Exhale for 4 counts
Hold for 4 counts
Try it now and notice how it shifts your body. Your heart rate slows, your muscles relax, and your mind clears.
🔹 Somatic Movement
We talked about this in the episode, but it’s worth repeating:
Our lungs are 90% water—and just like water, energy needs to move.
Somatic practices, like Tai Chi (which is a core part of every STOP & FLOW session), stir stagnant energy back into motion.
Why does this matter?
Because emotions are literally energy in motion (E-motion). Trauma, stress, and even generational patterns can create energetic blockages in the body. Movement helps release them.
I even walked listeners through a simple STOP & FLOW movement practice to experience this shift firsthand. (You can follow along at EnjoyChi - Podcast)
Finding Your Energy Balance
Setting boundaries around your energetic needs isn’t selfish—it’s how you move from survival mode to thrival mode.
Some people refuel with lively, social gatherings. Others need regular movement and alone time. The key is honoring what your system requires and remembering that we are each influencing our collective and connective systems.
Every time you regulate your energy, you’re contributing to a more balanced, harmonious world. Your calm influences others. Your clarity inspires clarity. This is how we shift not only ourselves but the spaces we move through.
💡 Try This (as guided in the episode!):
1️⃣ Plant both feet on the floor.
2️⃣ Make loose fists and gently punch the air in different directions.
3️⃣ Shake your shoulders, letting go of tension.
4️⃣ Rest your hands in your lap.
5️⃣ Exhale completely with a sigh.
6️⃣ Inhale and let your hands float toward your heart.
7️⃣ On each exhale, press your hands down, sensing the energy around you.
8️⃣ Repeat this flowing motion, letting breath guide movement.
9️⃣ Finish by giving yourself a round of applause. 🎉
Feel a shift? That’s your energy moving—not just for you, but for the collective.
Beyond the Placebo Effect
A common question I addressed in the episode was:
"Isn’t this just placebo?"
Here’s what I always say: The placebo effect is PROOF that the mind influences the body.
That’s not something to dismiss—it’s something to harness.
Energy healing isn’t about believing in something mystical. It’s about feeling something in your body and using it to shift yourself into Thrival Mode.
Take Your Next Step with STOP & FLOW
Ready to experience the power of STOP & FLOW? Here’s how to get involved:
🎙 Listen to the full episode: https://pod/show/kristin-onderdonk/episodes/Ep-10
🌿 Bring STOP & FLOW to Your Organization – Book a discovery call at www.enjoychi.com/events
🔥 Join Our LIVE Sessions – March 6, 13, 20 (12-2 PM ET) – Register here: www.enjoychi.com/events
Final Thought: Our Energy Is Our Power
This isn’t about choosing between science or spirituality—it’s about realizing we’re already intertwined.
When you shift your energy, you shift your physiology. When you shift your physiology, you shift your life.
Let’s keep this conversation flowing. If this resonated, DM me on Instagram (@enjoychi_) drop a comment, like, share…you know the game. TYSM
#STOPandFLOW #TogetherWEareEVERYTHING #EnergyHealing