[Foot reflex zone massage]
Preliminary EvidenceIn Plain Language
Foot reflexology is defined as massage of zones on the feet which correspond to different parts of the body. A medline-search yielded no literature in the field of foot reflexology. Indications for and results of foot reflexology have been extrapolated from case-descriptions and two pilot studies with small samples. One study (Lafuente et al.) found foot reflexology to be as helpful to patients with headaches as medication (flunarizine), yet foot reflexology was fraught with less side-effects than medication. In a second study (Eichelberger et al.) foot reflexology was used postoperatively on gynecological patients. The intervention group showed a lesser need for medication to enhance bladder tonus than did the control group. The literature describes foot reflexology as enhancing urination, bowel movements and relaxation.
Key Findings: what this observational study found
- ✓A pilot study found foot reflexology to be as effective as flunarizine medication for treating headaches while producing fewer side effects.
- ✓Postoperative gynecological patients receiving foot reflexology required less medication to enhance bladder tonus compared to control patients.
- ✓Foot reflexology is reported in the literature to enhance urination, bowel movements, and relaxation.
What This Means for You
While early studies suggest foot reflexology may help with headaches and post-surgical recovery, the evidence is still very preliminary and based on small studies, so it should not replace proven medical treatments.
What This Means for Practitioners
Document your outcomes systematically to build the evidence base for reflexology, as the current literature relies heavily on case descriptions and small pilot studies rather than rigorous research.
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
While early studies suggest foot reflexology may help with headaches and post-surgical recovery, the evidence is still very preliminary and based on small studies, so it should not replace proven medical treatments.
What did this study find?
A pilot study found foot reflexology to be as effective as flunarizine medication for treating headaches while producing fewer side effects. Postoperative gynecological patients receiving foot reflexology required less medication to enhance bladder tonus compared to control patients. Foot reflexology is reported in the literature to enhance urination, bowel movements, and relaxation.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a observational study and we rate its evidence preliminary. It was published in Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift. Supplementum. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
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