Acupressure on the feet may promote relaxation and stress relief, among other benefits.
Foot reflexology is a treatment that’s been practiced for centuries. It involves applying pressure to different points on the bottom of the foot.
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), these points correspond to different areas of the body. They are believed to have multiple benefits, including reducing stress, aiding digestion, and promoting sound sleep.
What is reflexology?
“Reflexology is commonly known as a holistic practice performed on the feet,” says Brian Goodwin, aesthetician, herbalist, and international educator at Éminence Organic Skin Care. “The concept is that there are meridian points on the feet that correspond with various organs in the body.”
According to Dustin Martinez, a Los Angeles–based chiropractic physician, research from 2014 shows that reflexology can improve quality of life in several ways.
This involves reducing stress and bringing balance to the body, energy, and mind.
“Reflexology is ancient medicine — it’s been around forever,” he says. “It can be traced as far back as 2330 B.C.”
According to Martinez, reflexology was given its current name in the United States in the early 1900s.
Foot reflexology benefits
Foot reflexology may help with:
stress and relaxation
pain management
digestion
eyestrain
improved sleep
Stress and relaxation
One of the key benefits associated with reflexology is relaxation and stress management. This is achieved by applying pressure to certain points on the feet.
“Relaxation is probably the biggest benefit [of foot reflexology],” says Martinez. “Reflexology helps by increasing blood flow through the body, which helps to decrease stress and anxiety and lower blood pressure. When you feel less stress and less anxious, it’s easy to feel relaxed.”
In the 2015 study mentioned above, the authors observe that a common benefit of reflexology may be reducing stress and inducing general relaxation.
Additionally, the study notes reflexology may be one way to interrupt the pattern of repetitive lifestyle stress by “helping the body systems to return to their natural state.”
Other research supports this.
A 2019 systematic review of reflexology in palliative care for advanced cancer found that reflexology, alongside other complementary therapies of aromatherapy and massage, enhanced well-being and offered people respite and escapism from their condition.
If you try reflexology for stress management or relaxation, consider having multiple sessions. According to the 2015 study, one session may interrupt the stress response, but multiple sessions are recommended for optimal benefits.
Pain management
Perhaps related to its effects on stress and relaxation, foot reflexology may also help with managing both acute and chronic pain.
Foot reflexology may help reduce pain after an operation. A 2020 study found that foot reflexology significantly reduced pain after kidney transplantation surgery, compared with a control group.
Similarly, a 2018 study found that foot reflexology significantly reduced pain after abdominal hysterectomy surgery, compared with a control group.
There is also evidence to support the effectiveness of foot reflexology in reducing chronic pain. In a 2019 study, foot reflexology significantly reduced pain and anxiety among children with chronic pain.
A 2018 survey study of military members with chronic pain found that after one session of foot reflexology, pain scores were reduced by 43% among males and 41% among females.
Digestion
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Martinez notes that reflexology may help with digestion.
“One of the reflex points found on your feet is connected to your stomach — when this particular point is stimulated, it will increase blood flow to your stomach, helping to improve digestion,” he says.
However, a 2017 study on foot reflexology for children with functional constipation found that reflexology had no effect on bowel movement frequency or consistency.
More research is needed to understand any effects that foot reflexology might have on digestion.
Eyestrain
“Reflexology can help reverse some of the stress we put on our eyes just from our daily activities,” says Martinez. “These pressure points help relax the tight muscles caused by looking at our screens all day.”
Improved sleep
Considering reflexology may be beneficial in helping you relax and reduce stress, it’s no surprise that some say it may help promote a more restful night’s sleep.
“Because reflexology is moving energy and improving overall circulation, it’s easy to have a restful night’s sleep after a treatment,” explains Martinez.
In the above-mentioned 2020 study on foot reflexology after kidney transplantation surgery, the group that received foot reflexology had significantly improved sleep quality.
Diabetes
It is unknown whether foot reflexology is beneficial for diabetes, but this is an ongoing area of research.
A 2018 studyTrusted Source found that 12 sessions of foot reflexology for people with diabetes had no effect on capillary blood glucose, feet tissue temperature, and plantar pressure.
Some improvement was seen in foot-ground time, which may have indications for improved mobility and preventing foot ulcers. However, this was a small study with limitations, so more research is needed to make any conclusions on reflexology for diabetes.
Does reflexology work?
Reflexology may be beneficial as a treatment that occurs alongside other treatments for a condition, often referred to as a complementary treatment. However, be sure to consult your doctor before starting any new treatment.
It’s important to note that although reflexology has been practiced in many countries for thousands of years, there is little scientific evidence available to prove its effectiveness.
According to Claire Barnwell, member of The Association of Reflexologists and owner of Feetology reflexology practice, “There have been some positive research projects carried out with reflexology; however, as yet, there is not a large enough body of evidence for us to make clinical claims of effectiveness.”
Barnwell notes, however, that “there can be no doubt that what it does provide is a period of time for relaxation where the client has one-to-one attention and supportive touch in an empathetic listening environment.”
A 2015 studyTrusted Source noted that strong evidence to support foot reflexology is lacking, despite many small-scale trials and anecdotal evidence.
If nothing else, foot reflexology may be a soothing, relaxing way to wind down and give some massage-like attention to your feet. More research is needed to confirm whether it offers specific health benefits.
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