Reflexology is a pseudoscience based on the idea that specific areas of your feet, hands, and ears correspond to organs and body systems. By massaging these zones, reflexologists claim to treat conditions such as headache, asthma, cancer pain, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Sadly, there aren’t many studies of reflexology’s effectiveness. And the ones that do exist tend to be of low quality.

It’s not a massage

Reflexology is a pseudoscience based on the claim that the entire body can be mapped onto the hands and feet. Practitioners believe that specific areas on the foot correspond to organs and body systems, and that applying pressure to these areas can help heal the body.

For example, if the bladder spot on the sole of the foot is pressed, the theory goes, the bladder will be stimulated. This is a very eyebrow-raising idea, but it doesn’t stop reflexologists from trying to sell their services.

Some experts believe that reflexology works by stimulating the central nervous system, which promotes relaxation and may reduce pain. Others believe that the brain creates pain as a way of responding to emotional or mental distress, and that reflexology can alleviate this pain by calming the person.

Finally, there is also the possibility that reflexology might work by stimulating acupuncture meridians on the hands and feet. This is a possible mechanism, but it has not been proven by research.

Reflexology is not the same as massage, and massage therapists should not be misrepresenting themselves by advertising that they offer reflexology when what they’re really offering is a foot massage. It’s not good for the massage industry, or for the clients who are being led astray. In addition, it is a waste of money for the clients who are paying for a service that does not have any clinical value.

It’s not a therapy

Reflexology is based on the false claim that the body can be divided into zones with their endpoints in the feet and hands. Different body parts, such as the eyes and lungs, are connected to specific pressure points on the feet or palms of the hands. According to the zone theory, by pressing these points, reflexologists can stimulate the corresponding organs of the body. This eyebrow-raising theory is largely attributed to Dr William Fitzgerald, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, who published his work in 1917. However, the current practice of reflexology is rooted in the 1938 book Stories the Feet Can Tell by Eunice Ingham. Ingham developed a system of reflexology that is used today, including the Morrell and Vaxuflex methods.

Despite the claims that reflexology can cure everything from acne to rectal prolapse, the evidence is shaky at best. Several recent systematic reviews found that studies on reflexology are often of poor quality. Some involve too few participants and don’t test the effects of other factors, such as relaxing music or scented candles.

In addition, these studies are not blinded, so it is impossible to know whether or not reflexology really works. It is also difficult to determine which type of reflexology was used in a study because several different techniques exist. Nevertheless, there are some cases where reflexology can offer value. For example, a 2019 review concluded that reflexology can offer a form of palliative care for people with advanced cancer and improve their overall quality of life.

It’s not a cure

The science of reflexology is based on the false claim that every organ of the body maps to a pressure point on the sole of the foot or palm of the hand. Reflexologists believe that applying pressure to these areas helps the corresponding organ heal itself.

There are many theories about how reflexology works, but they are all unproven. Some say that a reflexologist’s touch communicates with the brain and helps to calm the nervous system, turning off the sympathetic “fight-or-flight” response that can cause pain and promoting the parasympathetic, rest-and-digest state that promotes healing. Others claim that the massage of specific points on the feet or hands triggers a release of endorphins, analgesic chemicals that suppress pain signals in the spinal cord.

Finally, some argue that a reflexologist’s touch sends energy to the body and stimulates its natural healing processes. Others speculate that reflexology involves tapping into acupuncture meridians (which don’t exist), breaking up crystalline deposits of calcium or uric acid, changing electromagnetic fields and moving stuck energy.

A few randomised controlled trials have been conducted, but they are of low quality and do not show that reflexology is an effective treatment for any medical condition. One study did find that scalp massage and reflexology improved the quality of life for women with early breast cancer compared to social and physical support alone, but it was a small trial and needs replication.

It’s not a placebo

The ancient Chinese believed that a person’s body was made of energy, called qi (pronounced “chee”). If you get stressed or sick, your qi can become blocked. Reflexology, according to this theory, helps to keep qi flowing, preventing disease and keeping the body healthy. During reflexology, pressure is applied to specific areas of the foot known as “pressure points.” These are believed to be connected to organs and other parts of the body. Reflexologists use maps to determine which points to press. Their touch is said to activate acupuncture meridians and move energy around the body.

However, a lot of research into reflexology is inconclusive. Many studies are too small to detect meaningful effects. And the few large studies that have been conducted are of low quality. These studies compare reflexology to nothing, which doesn’t tell us anything about whether or not it actually works.

There’s no evidence that reflexology can treat any medical condition. But it may reduce pain and stress and improve your mood. And it’s safe, especially for pregnant women, as long as you don’t stimulate certain pressure points during labor.