Reflexology is a sort of massage that involves applying varying quantity of pressure to the feet, ears, and hands. It’s based on a theory that these body parts are connected to certain organs and body systems. The massage is expected to promote health and well-being. People who practice this technique are called reflexologists.

Procedure

Reflexology lies on the primeval Chinese belief of qi (pronounced “chee”), or “spry energy.” According to this belief, qi flows through each person. Whenever a person feels to be in some influence of stressed, their body barricades qi.

This can cause an imbalance in the body that leads to illness. Reflexology focuses to keep “qi” fluent throughout the body, ultimately keeping it balanced and disease free.

In Chinese traditional medicine, numerous body parts correspond with different pressure points within the body. Generally, therapists use maps of these points in the ears, hands, and feet to determine where they must apply pressure.

They surmise that their touch directs energy flowing through one’s body until it reaches the area in need of healing.

Benefits

Reflexology is linked to many potential benefits, but only a few of them have been evaluated in scientific studies.

So far, there’s limited evidence that reflexology may help to:

Reduce stress and anxiety

Reduce pain

Lift mood

Improve general well being

Moreover, some people have reported that reflexology therapy has helped them:

Boost their immune system

Fight cancer

Get over colds and bacterial infections

Clear up sinus issues

Recover from back problems

Correct hormonal imbalances

Boost fertility

Improve digestion

Ease arthritis pain

Treat nerve problems and numbness from cancer drugs (peripheral neuropathy)

Research Insight

Pain

In a 2011 study, Trusted Source funded by the National Cancer Institute, experts studied how reflexology treatments affected 240 women with advanced breast cancer. All women were undergoing medical treatment, such as chemotherapy, for their cancer.

The study found that reflexology helped to reduce some of their symptoms, including shortness of breath. The participants also reported an improved quality of life. But it didn’t have any effect on pain.

Anxiety

In a 2014 study that was slightly larger, researchers gave people undergoing heart surgery a 20-minute foot reflexology treatment once a day for four days.

They found that those who received the reflexology treatment reported significantly lower levels of anxiety than those who didn’t. Touch by another human being is a relaxing, caring, anxiety-reducing action for most people.

Generally, reflexology is very safe, even for people living with serious health conditions. It’s noninvasive and comfortable to receive, so it may be worth trying if it’s something you’re interested in.

However, you should talk to your doctor first if you have any of the following health issues:

Circulatory problems in the feet

Blood clots or inflammation of your leg veins

Gout

Foot ulcers

Fungal infections, like athlete’s foot

Open wounds on your hands or feet

Thyroid problems

Epilepsy

Warning

If you’re pregnant, make sure to tell your reflexologist before your session, as some pressure points in the hands and feet may induce contractions. If you’re trying to use reflexology to induce labor, only do so with your doctor’s approval. There is a risk of premature delivery, and babies are healthiest if born at 40 weeks of gestation.

People also repeatedly reported having mild side effects after reflexology treatment, which includes:

Lightheadedness

Tender feet

Emotional sensitivity

Verdict

Reflexology may not be a scientifically proven medical treatment for disease, but studies suggest it’s a helpful complementary treatment, especially for stress and anxiety.

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