Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksWhat to ExpectTreated ConditionsDoes It Work
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
What to Expect
Treated Conditions
Does It Work
While such claims remain scientifically unproven, reflexology has gained increased acceptance among the general public and some in the medical community. Studies have reported that 23% of older adults in the U.S. have explored reflexology for treating some health concerns.
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How Does Reflexology Work?
is based on the theory that all areas of the body correspond with and can be mapped onto areas of the feet. While the feet are the main focus of treatment in reflexology, the hands or ears are also sometimes treated.
Reflexologists use hand and foot maps (such as the one shown below) to illustrate the points that correspond to different areas of the body.
Reflexology is based in large part on practices used for centuries in other cultures, such aspadabhyangain India andtui na(a form ofacupressure) in China.
The exact mechanism for reflexology has not been established, but proponents hypothesize that it can affect positive changes in several ways:
Reflexology Association of Canada.
What to Expect During a Reflexology Session
Reflexology is a non-invasive therapy with a low risk of side effects or harm. It can be used on its own as an alternative therapy (used in place of regular medical treatment) or a complementary therapy (used alongside regular medical treatment).
A session typically involves a massage table and a soothing oraromatherapyfoot cream. Most last for between 30 and 60 minutes. The treatment may involve only one session, but some therapists may recommend a course of treatment or ongoing therapy.
Reflexology can feel relaxing and soothing, although pressure on certain reflex areas may feel uncomfortable or even ticklish.
Who Should Not Do Reflexology?Reflexology may not be appropriate for people with:A history of blood clots in their legs (which can lead to apulmonary embolism)Peripheral neuropathy(a nerve pain disorder)Foot ulcers(often associated with uncontrolled diabetes)Low platelet count(which can lead to easy bruising)Untreated foot infections (includingathlete’s foot)Speak with a healthcare provider to determine whether reflexology poses any risks based on your health, medical conditions, or any medications you take.
Who Should Not Do Reflexology?
Reflexology may not be appropriate for people with:A history of blood clots in their legs (which can lead to apulmonary embolism)Peripheral neuropathy(a nerve pain disorder)Foot ulcers(often associated with uncontrolled diabetes)Low platelet count(which can lead to easy bruising)Untreated foot infections (includingathlete’s foot)Speak with a healthcare provider to determine whether reflexology poses any risks based on your health, medical conditions, or any medications you take.
Reflexology may not be appropriate for people with:
Speak with a healthcare provider to determine whether reflexology poses any risks based on your health, medical conditions, or any medications you take.
9 Foot Pressure Points and What They Do
Reflexology is often claimed to treat many unrelated medical conditions. Although research is lacking, there is some evidence from availablerandomized controlled studies (RCTs)and systematic reviews of a health benefit, including the treatment of:
Even so, much of the available research remains highly contradictory.
Reports that reflexology can treat conditions like asthma, infertility, multiple sclerosis, dementia, diabetes, back pain, menopause, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are as of yet unproven.
Does Reflexology Work?
The current body of evidence does not support the use of reflexology to treat any medical condition. While there is some evidence of symptomatic relief, the findings are highly contradictory and the quality of studies is generally poor.
According to a 2014 systematic review published inEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine,there is no evidence of any clear physiological effect or mechanism of action from reflexology treatments.
An earlier systematic review in theMedical Journal of Australiaconcluded that, based on an analysis of 18 RCTs, the data “does not demonstrate convincingly that reflexology is an effective treatment for any medical condition.”
This is not to suggest that reflexology has no benefits or should be avoided. When used to complement a prescribed medical treatment, it may affect a person’s mood, comfort, and general sense of well-being.
On the other hand, reflexology should never be used as a substitute for a medical treatment. This can lead to a delay in the diagnosis of an otherwise treatable condition.
Summary
Reflexology is a practice that involves stimulating certain areas of the feet and sometimes hands and/or ears. The theory behind this is that areas on the feet and hands correlate with areas and organs of the body.
There is not enough evidence to support reflexology as a treatment or cure for any condition. Some studies show positive health benefits, but most studies on reflexology are of poor quality.
Reflexology may help with stress, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep difficulty in combination with other treatments.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Association of Reflexologists.Introduction to reflexology.Embong NH, Soh YC, Ming LC, Wong TW.Revisiting reflexology: concept, evidence, current practice, and practitioner training.J Traditional Complement Med. 2015;5(4):197-206. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2015.08.008Cai DC, Chen CY, Lo TY.Foot reflexology: recent research trends and prospects.Healthcare (Basel).2023 Jan;11(1):9. doi:10.3390/healthcare11010009Whatley J, Perkins J, Samuel C.Reflexology: exploring the mechanism of action.Complement Therapies Clin Pract. 2022;48:101606. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101606.Liang X, Wu S, Li K, et al.The effects of reflexology on symptoms in pregnancy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Heliyon. 2023 Jul 19;9(8):e18442. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18442Kotruchin P, Imoun S, Mitsungnern T, et al.The effects of foot reflexology on blood pressure and heart rate: a randomized clinical trial in stage-2 hypertensive patients.J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2021 Mar;23(3):680-686. doi:10.1111/jch.14103American Reflexology Certification Board.Why become ARCB certified?Brighton School of Massage.Reflexology diploma lesson 6: practical application and technique.Cancer Research UK.Reflexology and cancer.Wang WL, Hung HY, Chen YR, et al.Effect of foot reflexology intervention on depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in adults:a meta-analysis and metaregression of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020;2020:2654353. doi:10.1155/2020/2654353Huang HC, Chen KH, Kuo SF, et al.Can foot reflexology be a complementary therapy for sleep disturbances? Evidence appraisal through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Adv Nurs. 2021 Apr;77(4):1683-1697. doi:10.1111/jan.14699Lee J, Han M, Chung Y.Effects of foot reflexology on fatigue, sleep and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. In:Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-Assessed Reviews. London UK: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination.Murat-Ringot A, Souquet PJ, Subtil F, Boutitie F, Preau M, Piriou V.The effect of foot reflexology on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with digestive or lung cancer: randomized controlled trial.JMIR Cancer. 2021 Oct-Dec;7(4):e25648. doi:10.2196/25648Ernst E.Is reflexology an effective intervention? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.Med J Aust. 2009;191(5): 263-266. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02780.xMcCullough JEM, Liddle SD, Sinclair M, Close C, Hughes CM.The physiological and biochemical outcomes associated with a reflexology treatment: a systematic review.Evid Based Complement Alternative Med.2014:2014:502123. doi:10.1155/2014/502123McGill University Office of Science and Society.Reflexology research doesn’t put its best foot forward.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Association of Reflexologists.Introduction to reflexology.Embong NH, Soh YC, Ming LC, Wong TW.Revisiting reflexology: concept, evidence, current practice, and practitioner training.J Traditional Complement Med. 2015;5(4):197-206. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2015.08.008Cai DC, Chen CY, Lo TY.Foot reflexology: recent research trends and prospects.Healthcare (Basel).2023 Jan;11(1):9. doi:10.3390/healthcare11010009Whatley J, Perkins J, Samuel C.Reflexology: exploring the mechanism of action.Complement Therapies Clin Pract. 2022;48:101606. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101606.Liang X, Wu S, Li K, et al.The effects of reflexology on symptoms in pregnancy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Heliyon. 2023 Jul 19;9(8):e18442. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18442Kotruchin P, Imoun S, Mitsungnern T, et al.The effects of foot reflexology on blood pressure and heart rate: a randomized clinical trial in stage-2 hypertensive patients.J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2021 Mar;23(3):680-686. doi:10.1111/jch.14103American Reflexology Certification Board.Why become ARCB certified?Brighton School of Massage.Reflexology diploma lesson 6: practical application and technique.Cancer Research UK.Reflexology and cancer.Wang WL, Hung HY, Chen YR, et al.Effect of foot reflexology intervention on depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in adults:a meta-analysis and metaregression of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020;2020:2654353. doi:10.1155/2020/2654353Huang HC, Chen KH, Kuo SF, et al.Can foot reflexology be a complementary therapy for sleep disturbances? Evidence appraisal through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Adv Nurs. 2021 Apr;77(4):1683-1697. doi:10.1111/jan.14699Lee J, Han M, Chung Y.Effects of foot reflexology on fatigue, sleep and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. In:Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-Assessed Reviews. London UK: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination.Murat-Ringot A, Souquet PJ, Subtil F, Boutitie F, Preau M, Piriou V.The effect of foot reflexology on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with digestive or lung cancer: randomized controlled trial.JMIR Cancer. 2021 Oct-Dec;7(4):e25648. doi:10.2196/25648Ernst E.Is reflexology an effective intervention? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.Med J Aust. 2009;191(5): 263-266. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02780.xMcCullough JEM, Liddle SD, Sinclair M, Close C, Hughes CM.The physiological and biochemical outcomes associated with a reflexology treatment: a systematic review.Evid Based Complement Alternative Med.2014:2014:502123. doi:10.1155/2014/502123McGill University Office of Science and Society.Reflexology research doesn’t put its best foot forward.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Association of Reflexologists.Introduction to reflexology.Embong NH, Soh YC, Ming LC, Wong TW.Revisiting reflexology: concept, evidence, current practice, and practitioner training.J Traditional Complement Med. 2015;5(4):197-206. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2015.08.008Cai DC, Chen CY, Lo TY.Foot reflexology: recent research trends and prospects.Healthcare (Basel).2023 Jan;11(1):9. doi:10.3390/healthcare11010009Whatley J, Perkins J, Samuel C.Reflexology: exploring the mechanism of action.Complement Therapies Clin Pract. 2022;48:101606. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101606.Liang X, Wu S, Li K, et al.The effects of reflexology on symptoms in pregnancy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Heliyon. 2023 Jul 19;9(8):e18442. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18442Kotruchin P, Imoun S, Mitsungnern T, et al.The effects of foot reflexology on blood pressure and heart rate: a randomized clinical trial in stage-2 hypertensive patients.J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2021 Mar;23(3):680-686. doi:10.1111/jch.14103American Reflexology Certification Board.Why become ARCB certified?Brighton School of Massage.Reflexology diploma lesson 6: practical application and technique.Cancer Research UK.Reflexology and cancer.Wang WL, Hung HY, Chen YR, et al.Effect of foot reflexology intervention on depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in adults:a meta-analysis and metaregression of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020;2020:2654353. doi:10.1155/2020/2654353Huang HC, Chen KH, Kuo SF, et al.Can foot reflexology be a complementary therapy for sleep disturbances? Evidence appraisal through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Adv Nurs. 2021 Apr;77(4):1683-1697. doi:10.1111/jan.14699Lee J, Han M, Chung Y.Effects of foot reflexology on fatigue, sleep and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. In:Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-Assessed Reviews. London UK: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination.Murat-Ringot A, Souquet PJ, Subtil F, Boutitie F, Preau M, Piriou V.The effect of foot reflexology on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with digestive or lung cancer: randomized controlled trial.JMIR Cancer. 2021 Oct-Dec;7(4):e25648. doi:10.2196/25648Ernst E.Is reflexology an effective intervention? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.Med J Aust. 2009;191(5): 263-266. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02780.xMcCullough JEM, Liddle SD, Sinclair M, Close C, Hughes CM.The physiological and biochemical outcomes associated with a reflexology treatment: a systematic review.Evid Based Complement Alternative Med.2014:2014:502123. doi:10.1155/2014/502123McGill University Office of Science and Society.Reflexology research doesn’t put its best foot forward.
Association of Reflexologists.Introduction to reflexology.
Embong NH, Soh YC, Ming LC, Wong TW.Revisiting reflexology: concept, evidence, current practice, and practitioner training.J Traditional Complement Med. 2015;5(4):197-206. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2015.08.008
Cai DC, Chen CY, Lo TY.Foot reflexology: recent research trends and prospects.Healthcare (Basel).2023 Jan;11(1):9. doi:10.3390/healthcare11010009
Whatley J, Perkins J, Samuel C.Reflexology: exploring the mechanism of action.Complement Therapies Clin Pract. 2022;48:101606. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101606.
Liang X, Wu S, Li K, et al.The effects of reflexology on symptoms in pregnancy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Heliyon. 2023 Jul 19;9(8):e18442. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18442
Kotruchin P, Imoun S, Mitsungnern T, et al.The effects of foot reflexology on blood pressure and heart rate: a randomized clinical trial in stage-2 hypertensive patients.J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2021 Mar;23(3):680-686. doi:10.1111/jch.14103
American Reflexology Certification Board.Why become ARCB certified?
Brighton School of Massage.Reflexology diploma lesson 6: practical application and technique.
Cancer Research UK.Reflexology and cancer.
Wang WL, Hung HY, Chen YR, et al.Effect of foot reflexology intervention on depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in adults:a meta-analysis and metaregression of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020;2020:2654353. doi:10.1155/2020/2654353
Huang HC, Chen KH, Kuo SF, et al.Can foot reflexology be a complementary therapy for sleep disturbances? Evidence appraisal through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Adv Nurs. 2021 Apr;77(4):1683-1697. doi:10.1111/jan.14699
Lee J, Han M, Chung Y.Effects of foot reflexology on fatigue, sleep and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. In:Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-Assessed Reviews. London UK: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination.
Murat-Ringot A, Souquet PJ, Subtil F, Boutitie F, Preau M, Piriou V.The effect of foot reflexology on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with digestive or lung cancer: randomized controlled trial.JMIR Cancer. 2021 Oct-Dec;7(4):e25648. doi:10.2196/25648
Ernst E.Is reflexology an effective intervention? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.Med J Aust. 2009;191(5): 263-266. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02780.x
McCullough JEM, Liddle SD, Sinclair M, Close C, Hughes CM.The physiological and biochemical outcomes associated with a reflexology treatment: a systematic review.Evid Based Complement Alternative Med.2014:2014:502123. doi:10.1155/2014/502123
McGill University Office of Science and Society.Reflexology research doesn’t put its best foot forward.
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