Are you a Reflexology sceptic? I was!

This week, 22nd to 28th September 2025, marks World Reflexology Week and a great chance to shine a light on a complementary therapy that has both ancient roots and modern appeal.  So, what is reflexology?  Contrary to what some may think, reflexology is not “just” a foot massage.  It is a complementary therapy with ancient origins from Chinese and Egyptian medicine.   The practice is based on specific reflex points on the feet which correspond to different organs, systems, and parts of the body. By applying pressure or massage to these reflex points, the aim is to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing processes.  Many people report benefits such as reduced stress, improved sleep, and a greater sense of wellbeing. But what does the science say?

The professional body for reflexologists in the UK, the Association of Reflexologists (AoR), actively champions research into the practice. Back in 2015, Embong, Soh, Ming and Wong concluded that despite lots of small-scale trials and anecdotal reports, strong evidence for reflexology’s effectiveness was still lacking. That scepticism was fair at the time but research has continued to grow since then.

Today, in addition to the subjective benefits that recipients anecdotally report, research increasingly suggest positive outcomes. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) acknowledges that reflexologists can legitimately claim the therapy may improve mood, aid sleep, and promote wellbeing.

Here are just a few recent examples:

• Improving sleep and reducing stress during menopause: Gökbulut, Akça and Ay (2022) concluded that reflexology improved sleep duration and reduced anxiety in menopausal women, concluding that “foot massage applied during menopause increases the average daily sleep duration (hours) and reduces women's fatigue and anxiety levels”. More recently, Oke and Sathe (2025) demonstrated reflexology’s positive impact on managing menopausal discomfort, likely through stress reduction.  A systematic review by Anto, Basu, Selim and Eisingerich (2024) cited seventeen studies stating that menopausal women “face significant mental health impacts, including heightened anxiety, low mood, and increased stress (p. 7).  The benefit of reflexology for menopausal women is believed to stem from the alleviation of stress which is prevalent in menopausal women. 

  
  

• Reducing fatigue and pain: Parlak, Akkuş and Araz (2025) found that reflexology helped ICU nurses manage lower back pain and fatigue whilst Anderson and Downey (2021) reported that some cancer patients experienced pain relief after a reflexology session.

  
  

While researchers agree that more robust trials are still needed, the consistent theme across studies is that reflexology supports relaxation, stress management, and improved wellbeing.

Sceptical but curious, I booked a reflexology session during a particularly stressful period when I was battling stress, headaches, fatigue, and sinus issues. The experience was deeply relaxing I felt calm both during and after the treatment, and I slept far better than usual.  What surprised me most was that my therapist identified imbalances I hadn’t mentioned, including shoulder pain. She worked on my stress levels and sinuses, and I left feeling noticeably lighter and clearer.

That one session turned me from a sceptic into a believer.

Reflexology may not yet have the same level of scientific validation as some medical treatments, but the growing evidence and countless personal stories suggest it offers real benefits. At the very least, it provides an opportunity to relax, de-stress, and reconnect with yourself.

So, are you curious? Why not give it a go? After all, what’s the worst that could happen?  It’s just someone massaging your feet, right?

References:

Advertising Standards Authority. (2025). Health Reflexology. [Online]. ASA. Last Updated: 25 April 25. Available at: https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/health-reflexology.html [Accessed 16 September 2025].

Anderson, K. & Downey, M. (2025). Impact of Reflexology on Menopause among Post menopausal Women. Journal of Neonatal Surgery. 14(12S), pp.521-528. [Online]. Available at: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=c3921af4824f96be9326bdbdef809b71dfffff2efb2cb487c37e129b6a92e29fJmltd [Accessed 17 September 2025].

Anto, A., Basu, A., Selim, R. & Eisingerich, A. (2025). Women's Menopausal Experiences in the UK: A Systemic Literature Review of Qualitative Studies. Health Expectations. (28), pp.1-11. [Online]. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hex.70167 [Accessed 17 September 2025].

Embong, N., Soh, Y., Ming, L. & Wong, T. (2015). Revisiting reflexology: Concept, evidence, current practice, and practitioner training. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. (5), pp.197-206.

Parlak, A., Akkuş, Y., & Araz Ö. (2024). The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Stress, Fatigue, and Low Back Pain in Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain Management Nursing. Oct 25(5), pp 494-500.