Many studies have indicated benefits of reflexology—but how does reflexology work? The truth is that the mechanism through which reflexology works is not known. There have been many proposals as to how it works; the two most prominent theories are that it works through the nervous system or that it works through the meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
The history of reflexology goes back over 4,000 years, much like the history of massage. Yet, from my perspective with 45-plus years of practicing and teaching reflexology, I believe reflexology is in its infancy.
Zone Therapy
The more recent history of reflexology began with William Fitzgerald, MD (1872-1942), and his presentation of Zone Therapy, in 1917, to the medical profession. Zone Therapy was the precursor of present-day reflexology. Fitzgerald, an eye, ear and nose specialist practicing in Hartford, Connecticut, developed Zone Therapy, in which application of direct pressure was an effective method of producing anaesthesia or analgesia. As is in any new discovery, Zone Therapy was controversial.
Eunice Ingham, PT (1889-1974), a physical therapist practicing in Florida, studied and researched Fitzgerald’s Zone Therapy in the 1930s and discovered that using an alternating pressure on the feet had a relaxing effect on the body. She called this foot reflexology. Ingham, recognized as the mother of reflexology, published two popular books: “Stories the Feet Can Tell” and “Stories the Feet Have Told.” She was very active in teaching reflexology workshops in major U.S. cities. Some of her students took her teachings to other parts of the world.
The practice of reflexology has remained controversial to this day. When the editor of MASSAGE Magazine approached me to write an article, she proposed an explanation of the mechanism by which reflexology works. The truth is, again, the mechanism through which reflexology works is not known.
Some published research studies report on the physiological effects of reflexology in a variety of medical circumstances. Therefore, it is safe to state that reflexology does produce physiological effects in the body. Many more published research studies report on the benefits of reflexology for people experiencing various medical conditions. Published research studies are conducted primarily in medical facilities with medical populations. This is understandable, as these circumstances are the ones that researchers are motivated to examine.
Common health conditions experienced outside of medical establishments have not yet received the same attention. However, it is reasonable to generalise from the findings in medical settings to similar circumstances outside of medical settings. For example, if reflexology is effective in reducing anxiety in patients about to undergo coronary surgery, it is reasonable to believe that it will be effective in reducing anxiety for people in other stressful circumstances.
Still, research has not yet determined the mechanism through which reflexology produces its results. However, in the realm of healing and medicine, many similar circumstances exist in which there are well-documented benefits from certain therapies—acupuncture, Reiki, and meditation among them—but the mechanisms that produce those benefits are not fully understood.
The current practice of reflexology is applied to the feet, hands, ears and face. These are four of many microsystems identified in the body. In a microsystem, the whole body is reflected within one part of the body. Some other microsystems identified within the body are the teeth, tongue, scalp, iris of the eyes, large intestine, a finger and a lower limb.
Given this information, it seems the body has a holographic nature, a theory that is rooted in TCM. It is with this perspective that I made my opening assertion that the practice of reflexology is in its infancy. I envision that in time, the exploration of the holographic nature of the body and how to utilize this knowledge in the process of medicinal healing will evolve and become significant.
As a massage therapist, you may well question how reflexology interacts with massage therapy.
How Does Reflexology Work in Relation to Massage?
In a survey conducted by MASSAGE Magazine several years ago, your colleagues who practiced both massage therapy and reflexology were asked how they went about doing that. The majority reported that they conduct their reflexology session first, and followed with their massage therapy session. They had found that reflexology made it easier for them to conduct their massage, and so they were able to produce much better results working in that order.
Reflexology reduces stress and tension. It can be effective in reducing pain. For example, applying reflexology could be very beneficial when a person has extreme pain from whiplash. To approach the neck area will likely cause the person to tense as they defensively anticipate the potential pain. This is counterproductive.
However, working with reflexology on the feet or the hands will be relatively safe for the client and effectively relieve some of their stress and tension. When reflexology has sufficiently reduced the person’s pain, it will be much easier for a massage therapist to approach working on the injured area without the client tensing. This would be true of physical injuries to other parts of the body.
A more obvious advantage of reflexology is for those people who are not comfortable removing their clothes. The practice of reflexology is on the feet, hands, face or ears, none of which requires removal of the clothes.
Working the feet, rather than the hands, face or ears, provides a clearer indication of where a person has stress in their body. The reason for this, too, is not known.
When comparing foot reflexology with hand reflexology, the hands are more convenient. Some people are very self-conscious of their feet, and would never allow another person to touch them. This might be because of feared ticklishness, religious reasons or self-consciousness.
Similarly, it is much easier to work on some disabled people’s hands than their feet, especially if they are wheelchair-bound. It is also much easier for people to work on their own hands for self-help, about which many clients are happy to receive information.
Reflexology & Massage in Collaboration
A reflexology chart primarily identifies the glands and internal organs of the body. More recently, separate charts present the bone structure, the muscular system and the nervous system. A reflexology practitioner is aware of these overlapping systems and will consider that when they are working.
Reflexology will be beneficial for all of these overlapping systems. Therefore, reflexology is beneficial for a wide range of health challenges, including those that affect the digestive system, the respiratory system, the lymphatic system, the nervous system the circulatory system and more. When a client presents with a health challenge, your intake should determine if they are under the care of a medical physician for their condition before you proceed with bodywork.
Working in collaboration with a reflexologist is one way for you to provide the best of service to your clients. To do this, I suggest that you check out some practicing reflexologists in your local area, and if you are positively impressed with their set up, consider exchanging some treatments to help seal the bond. Your personal experience will make it much easier for you to make a referral. Establishing a friendly network with other healing practitioners is a great way for you to serve your clients and assist building your business.
Alternatively, you could train in reflexology and provide reflexology service yourself. From what you have read here, you can see how this would expand your potential clientele.
About the Author
Christopher Shirley is founder of the Pacific Institute of Reflexology and has been practicing and teaching reflexology since 1978. He built the website, Reflexology Resources, which contains extensive reflexology information including reflexology history, publications and articles. The site also features the Journal of Reflexology Research, and a library of reflexology videos.