Reflexology: what it is and what is known

Reflexology is a hands-on practice in which a trained practitioner presses specific points on your feet or hands. People usually try it to relax, ease stress or feel more comfortable during illness. Its evidence is limited: a few small studies hint at help with some symptoms, but any benefit is uncertain.

What it is

Reflexology is a form of pressure-point work, most often foot reflexology, though some practitioners also work on the hands or ears. Its early history is hard to pin down. Practitioners often trace foot-pressure practices to ancient Egypt and China, but those links are uncertain.

The modern form grew out of “zone therapy.” In 1917 the US physician William H. Fitzgerald wrote about ten vertical zones running the length of the body. Later, the physiotherapist Eunice Ingham developed the foot maps and reflexology charts still used today, and in the 1930s she introduced the practice to non-medical practitioners.

Practitioners say points on the feet and hands correspond to organs, glands and other parts of the body, and that pressing them stimulates energy pathways and supports the body’s own recovery. There is no scientific evidence for this reflex map or for these energy pathways. Most people who book a reflexology session are looking for relaxation, relief from stress and anxiety, or a sense of being cared for.

What a session is like

Your first visit usually begins with questions about your health, lifestyle and medical history. You then lie down or sit in a reclining chair while the practitioner uses thumbs and fingers to press points on your feet or hands. A session usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes.

Most people find it soothing, though some spots can feel uncomfortable or slightly sore. Afterward you might feel light-headed, emotional or a little tender in the feet. A practitioner may suggest a course of sessions, so check the price and the number of sessions before you commit.

Before booking, it is worth asking:

• How long they trained and how long they have practiced
• Whether they have training in cancer care, if that applies to you
• Whether they carry insurance

What research says

The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says reflexology is claimed to bring relaxation and healing to matching parts of the body, but this has not been shown. Research on specific uses is thin. In a study funded by the US National Cancer Institute, women with advanced breast cancer who received reflexology improved in a few symptoms, such as shortness of breath, but not in others, such as nausea or pain. A small amount of research suggests it might help a burning or prickling sensation sometimes linked to multiple sclerosis, though evidence for most MS symptoms is insufficient. For irritable bowel syndrome, there is too little evidence to say anything.

Cancer Research UK says there is no scientific evidence that reflexology can prevent or treat cancer or any other disease. Studies of symptoms like pain, sickness and anxiety have mostly been small, with mixed results, and some were poorly designed. It notes some evidence that reflexology may help some people relax and cope with stress, but the trials are not conclusive. The most consistent finding is simply that most people find sessions relaxing.

Who should be careful

Reflexology generally appears safe, with few side effects. Check with a doctor or nurse first if you have circulation problems in your feet, inflammation or blood clots in your leg veins, gout, foot ulcers, a fungal infection such as athlete’s foot, or a low platelet count that makes you bruise or bleed easily. If you have cancer, look for a therapist trained in cancer care, since some points may need gentle pressure or should be avoided, and tell any reflexologist about all your conditions and treatments.

The bigger risk is letting it stand in for medical care. If you have symptoms that are new, severe or not improving, see a doctor or other licensed clinician rather than relying on reflexology alone.

How it fits with the pillars

Reflexology belongs to the body pillar. It is a hands-on practice, and its most consistently reported effect is relaxation and a feeling of being looked after, rather than any change in a specific organ.

If what draws you to it is the chance to let go of physical tension, you can also do that on your own at home with progressive muscle relaxation, a self-guided practice that pairs well with the occasional professional session.