What is reflexology?
Reflexology is a type of massage that involves applying different amounts of pressure to the feet and hands, and ears. It’s based on a theory that these body parts are connected to certain organs and body systems. People who practice this technique are called reflexologists.
How does reflexology work?
There are a few different theories about how reflexology works.Reflexology is the application of pressure to areas on the feet (or the hands). Reflexology is generally relaxing and may help alleviate stress.
The theory behind reflexology is that areas of the foot correspond to organs and systems of the body. Pressure applied to the foot is believed to bring relaxation and healing to the corresponding area of the body.Reflexologists use foot charts to guide them as they apply pressure to specific areas. Reflexology is sometimes combined with other hands-on therapies and may be offered by chiropractors and physical therapists, among others.
Several studies indicate that reflexology may reduce pain and psychological symptoms, such as stress and anxiety, and enhance relaxation and sleep. Given that reflexology is also low risk, it can be a reasonable option if you’re seeking relaxation and stress relief.
Other theories
In the 1890s, British scientists found that nerves connect the skin and internal organs. They also found that the body’s entire nervous system tends to adjust to outside factors, including touch.
A reflexologist’s touch may help to calm the central nervous system, promoting relaxation and other benefits just like any form of massage.
Others believe that the brain creates pain as a subjective experience. Sometimes, the brain reacts to physical pain. But in other cases, it may create pain in response to emotional or mental distress.
Some believe that reflexology can reduce pain through calming touch, which may help to improve someone’s mood and reduce stress.
Zone theory is another belief that some use to explain how reflexology works. This theory holds that the body contains 10 vertical zones. Each zone contains different body parts and corresponds to specific fingers and toes.
Practitioners of the zone theory believe that touching these fingers and toes allows them to access every body part in a particular zone.
What are the potential benefits of reflexology?
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
In addition, people have reported that reflexology 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
HERE ARE THE SCIENTIFICALLY PROVED BENEFITS REFLEXOLOGY PROVIDES YOU
When people ask “what is reflexology massage?”, they often want to know about the concrete health benefits in particular. There are dozens of purported ways in which reflexology can help to create a happier body and mind. We will focus on the seven most significant and well-supported benefits associated with the treatments.
As we go through the list, we’ll explore how and why reflexology might make a difference in these areas. Plus, hopefully, this will help you understand what to expect. While reflexology should not be considered an adequate substitute for conventional medical treatments, it can certainly be part of a complementary treatment plan that gets fantastic results.
1. Boosted Energy Levels
Most of us feel depleted and burnt out from time to time. Whether you have a busy family life, a hectic career, underlying health issues or all three of these challenges, it’s likely that you sometimes wish you could take a magic pill and instantly create more energy. If this sounds familiar, talk to your reflexologist. Ask them what they can offer you to help replenish your low energy supplies.
While reflexology can’t totally compensate for lack of sleep or the harsh demand of modern life, a study published in the European Journal of General Practice shows that receiving reflexology can boost your metabolic rate and help your body’s energy-creation processes. In turn, you can feel more resilient, more awake and generally more capable of facing the day.
As a bonus, a faster metabolism can also help you regulate your weight more effectively. Consequently, this can mean you get better results from your exercise regime.
2. Increased Circulation
If you watch a reflexology video demonstration, you’ll often see reflexologists talking about the circulatory system. This is in large part because some of the most compelling research on reflexology shows that it can increase circulation all over your body, helping your organs to get the nutrients and oxygen they need (and thereby boosting their functionality).
For example, one group of diabetes patients with nerve problems were able to practice self-reflexology to improve the flow of blood to their feet. In addition, if you have Raynaud’s syndrome (a common condition in which the hands and feet easily become cold and numb), reflexology can help to return blood flow to affected areas more quickly, soothing pain and reducing the risk of injury by restoring normal sensation.
If you learn how to reflexology at home, you can make a habit of doing these exercises as soon as you come in from the cold.
3. Relaxation
Reflexology techniques are intrinsically relaxing. If you’re looking to learn how to do reflexology on yourself, you can practice these techniques any time you feel stressed or upset and need to calm down.
However, nothing beats the feeling of having a trained reflexology expert using their healing hands to drain your stress away! And the evidence strongly supports the use of reflexology to induce relaxation. This is a particularly important benefit for patient groups who struggle to get restful sleep, as you may do if you have a chronic pain condition or suffer from racing thoughts. The results can often be particularly good if reflexology is combined with meditation or with deep breathing exercises, though benefits are also seen without these additions.
Some experts even believe that reflexology helps to readjust the body’s circadian rhythms, helping you to wake up and fall asleep at the right time, making it especially useful if you do shift work or are struggling with jet lag.
4. Reduction In Headaches
One of the most exciting benefits of reflexology is its potential to treat certain types of chronic headaches.
Tension headaches are felt around your temples and your forehead. You might describe them as causing you to feel like you have an invisible hat sitting around your head.
This distinctive discomfort is caused by tense muscles, and reflexology can do a lot to help with this. It helps your entire body to loosen up, including the muscles in your head and neck.
Although most studies on reflexology and pain focus on headaches, there’s good reason to believe that a reflexology session could also help with any muscle tension. For example, in your back, legs or shoulders. One major benefit of using treatments like reflexology to address pain is that it minimizes the need to use pain-killing medications. This can place a huge strain on your liver or kidneys.
5. Cancer Treatment
Reflexology, for example, Chinese reflexology massage, has long been used as a complementary treatment for cancer patients. Of course, no one is suggesting that your reflexologist can actively cure cancer or put it into remission. However, scientists have studied the effects of foot reflexology on anxiety and pain in patients with malignancies of the lung and ■■■■■■. They discovered that reflexology treatments can reduce the side effects caused by the most common cancer treatments.
You will often read about reductions in nausea and vomiting, and (similarly) about cancer patients noting they have fewer stomach cramps or bowel difficulties. Just as importantly, cancer patients frequently experience better, more restful sleep after seeing a reflexologist. When you’re conserving energy in this way it can obviously help your body to fight the invading disease.
Further, for those who have limited mobility or are even bed-bound due to the severity of their cancer, the circulation-boosting aspects of reflexology can make a huge difference.
6. Elimination Of Toxins
Reflexology body massage is also said to help remove toxins from your body. More specifically, some promising research on the benefits of reflexology demonstrates a link with better bladder function and a reduction in chronic urinary tract problems. This potentially points towards reflexology having a positive influence on the body’s ability to process and excrete toxic material. This, in turn, could reduce your risk of developing a whole host of health problems linked to the bladder and kidneys.
Any trained reflexologist can tell you more about this when you visit for a treatment. They can address your specific concerns about toxins (as well as how they relate to your individual lifestyle choices).
For example, you might be looking to detoxify your system after making a decision to stop smoking or drinking. A reflexology practitioner may have some effective suggestions to help restore your body to its former health.
7. Speed Healing
Finally, the same research that taught us about reflexology and circulation also points to an improvement in healing that can result from this increase in circulation. This is handy for everything from minor cuts to more significant injuries (such as sprains, muscle aches, and burns).
Whilst you should go to your regular doctor for advice on healing first, your reflexologist can give you extra tools that empower you to take charge of your own healing. Once again, the key here is to tell your reflexology practitioner exactly what you’re looking for.
Ideally, they will show you at least some basic exercises that you can do at home between sessions. If you have a partner, this can also make healing an intimate and close activity. Reflexology can allow your partner to do something concrete and relaxing to help you. Otherwise, they may feel frustrated by their inability to take away your pain.
What does the research say?
There aren’t many studies about reflexology. And many experts consider those that do exist to be of low quality. In addition, a 2014 review concluded that reflexology isn’t an effective treatment for any medical condition.
But it may have some value as a complementary therapy to help reduce symptoms and improve someone’s quality of life, much like massage. Since the massaged area is the feet, for some people that will provide even more relief of stress or discomfort.
Here’s a look at what the research says about using reflexology to manage pain and anxiety.
Pain
In a 2011 studyTrusted Source funded by the National Cancer Institute, experts studied how reflexology treatments affected 240 women with advanced ■■■■■■ 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.
Experts have also looked at the effects of reflexology on pain in women experiencing premenstrual syndrome (■■■). In one older studyTrusted Source, researchers looked at the effects of ear, hand, and foot reflexology on 35 women who previously reported having of ■■■ symptoms.
They found that those who received two months of reflexology treatment reported significantly fewer ■■■ symptoms than the women who did not. However, keep in mind that this study was very small and done decades ago.
Larger, long-term studies are needed to fully understand whether reflexology helps to reduce pain.
Anxiety
In one small studyTrusted Source from 2000, researchers looked at the effects of one 30-minute foot reflexology treatment on people being treated for ■■■■■■ or lung cancer. Those who received a reflexology treatment reported lower levels of anxiety than those who received no reflexology treatment.
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.
Is reflexology safe to try?
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
- a low platelet count or other blood problems, which can make you bruise and bleed more easily
You may still be able to try reflexology if you have any of these issues, but you might need to take a few precautions to avoid any adverse effects.
What Is a Typical Session Like?
A typical treatment is 30 to 60 minutes long and begins with a health history form and consultation about your health and lifestyle. The reflexologist will use the information to customize the therapy.
You may then be asked to remove your shoes and socks and sit comfortably in a reclining chair or on a massage table. The reflexologist will assess the feet and stimulate various points to identify areas of tenderness or tension.
Brisk movements and massage may be used to warm the hands and feet. Finger or thumb pressure is then applied to the foot using reflexology techniques. Lotion or oil may be used, and the reflexologist may also use instruments like balls, brushes, and dowels.
What Does Reflexology Feel Like?
Most people find reflexology, for the most part, to be very relaxing. Reflexology shouldn’t be painful. If you feel discomfort, be sure to tell the reflexologist. They should work within your comfort zone.
Some areas may be tender or sore, and the reflexologist may spend extra time on these points. The soreness should decrease with pressure. If you’re ticklish, not to worry. The reflexologist applies firm pressure to the feet.
Most people feel calm and relaxed after a reflexology session. Occasionally, some people feel nausea, sleepiness, and mood swings.
Safety and Contraindications
There is currently no regulation of reflexology in the United States. Your healthcare provider may be able to recommend a therapist. You may want to choose a therapist who has been certified by the American Reflexology Certification Board and has at least 200 hours of education at a recognized institution.
Be sure to give the reflexologist a complete and accurate health history. It’s always a good idea to consult your primary care provider before trying anything new, including reflexology.
Reflexology may also not be right for people with diabetes, osteoarthritis (affecting the ankle or foot), circulatory problems, active infections, gallstones, kidney stones, or certain types of cancer. You should also avoid reflexology if you are pregnant.
Reflexology vs. Foot Massage
While a foot massage may feel the same as a reflexology treatment, a reflexologist will work on areas to promote a healing response in the corresponding organs.
A massage therapist giving a foot massage will manipulate muscles and other soft tissues to improve circulation, relieve pain, and heal injuries in the area or to induce overall relaxation.
Conclusion
Although reflexology shouldn’t be used as a sole treatment for any condition, it can be a relaxing therapy for your feet with whole-body benefits. Just be sure to find a trained reflexologist and to check with your health care provider to see if it’s right for you.