The Reflexology Zeitgeist
What real people are asking, saying, and experiencing, scraped directly from Reddit, Quora, and health forums. Every quote below is linked to its original source so you can verify it yourself.
Hot Topics in the Community
Questions People Are Asking
The actual wording. These are the exact questions people type into search bars and forums.
“What part of your leg did he press? Hamstring, in the back or quads in the front? Calf’s or behind the knee?”
“Pressure Point Relief for Back Pain: What did the nice man do?”
“If you suspect that sitting down too much is a serious aggravating factor and your pain is a big problem for you, then get an adjustable desk and start standing up more? Surely that investment can be worthwhile if it can help you.”
“My first question is:what is the cause of your chronic pain?”
“How old/good is your mattress?”
“Why? I roll my low back all the time, it helps release tension all the way up to my shoulder? Of course pain in low back might be caused by tension in other places and you would need to roll there, but can confirm, does help.”
“Ah ok- so maybe it provides relief for some? It doesn’t last nearly long enough but it’s amazing right after.”
“if you don't mind my asking. can you share some details? like: - frequency (ie every day - 1x ?) - duration (ie 10mins?) - how long you've been doing that and have you seen improvement outside the massage window? thanks in advance!”
“How much does massage help?”
“Which type of massage is best for lower back pain?”
“Any good recommendations? I have it bad, but it's from walking a lot in the past in bad shoes and a bone spur, and it's been flaring up. Trying to find some shoes that work well for it, cause it sucks ass not being able to chase after my kids.”
“My feet are in so much pain and most of the time ice does the trick but it’s not working. Does anyone have a foot massage place to recommend?? Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/Late_Mushroom_8212 [link] [comments]”
“Foot massages? No weird stuff I have plantar fasciitis”
“My feet are hurting so bad and I believe I’ve developed plantar fasciitis. Anyone have personal experience with a foot massage in the city that helps relieve this? I’ve been to Relax Foot Spa in wicker park for a reflexology foot massage, but not sur...”
“Best foot massage for plantar fasciitis?”
“Anyone tried reflexology?”
“Yes to some degree but I cannot afford it. A good TENS unit is also helpful if you can put it on without outside help and keep the electrodes on without coming off due to losing its stickiness?”
“I never heard of dry needling. What is it like?”
“For back pain sufferers, have you ever done a massage regimen? Did it help?”
“Can a foot massage be harmful?”
“Can a foot massage benefit your whole body?”
“Is it true that you can lose weight by soaking your feet?”
“Have you ever treated a health problem with massage therapy? What was your experience like? Did it work?”
“Have you ever faced leg cramps (calf muscle) while you are sleeping that wakes you up and pain last for days? What causes it and what are the remedies?”
“Are you able to walk down a rocky or gravel road barefooted with ease?”
“Can reflexology help plantar fasciitis?”
“Can massage therapy help plantar fasciitis?”
“My feet are aching so badly after working all day. It used to not bother me this bad. I am 63. Can it be age related?”
“How do I cure plantar fasciitis?”
“What can be done about chronic pain related to arthritis? What are some tips or advice on how to cope with it, especially in one's work life?”
The Believers
What satisfied clients are saying in their own words.
“If it happened after massage I have had that happen a lot because I really need a deep tissue massage, a no sometimes you can feel ever so slightly bruised or a little sore after a good deep session. Water and 24 hrs or so always helped it resolve.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“Well, if I knew that, I would stop doing it. My best guess... sitting for 10 hours per day (it's my job, I'm a programmer...:/)”
Source: reddit.com ↗“You definitely should not roll the lower back with a conventional foam roller. It might give some relief for a short time, but it is super dangerous! Your lower back is not protected by the ripcage and people have lifetime injuries and spinepain for...”
Source: reddit.com ↗“The journey inside is a serious, lifelong commitment, but a rewarding one. Thanks for saying my advice is amazing, your validation brings me great joy. 🙏🏻”
Source: reddit.com ↗“This is amazing advice. I finally started approaching my chronic pain this way, and it's been helping me feel human. Problem solving is hard fucking work, but it beats helplessness and fear any day.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“Because there is an underlying issue that is causing the pain, and you are not fixing it. You will feel better for a bit after relaxing the muscles but pain will return until you fix the cause.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“I have an amazing therapist. She worked on my calf and foot for two session. It hurt. After that I wore Birkenstocks for three months. Totally gone.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“The first time I went for feet reflexology afterward I was overcome with the urge to cry, it made me so emotional. It helps for symptom relief but it's not curative. Its a good supplement to whatever you're already doing for stretching/strengthening.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“Yep. This! This has helped me a lot. It’s not a cure, but combining it with proper shoes and insoles, stretching, and exercise has helped considerably.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“I’m trying a solid 6-8 wks of myofascial release massage. Apparently I’m all out of alignment which contributes to the PF. I’m feeling slight relief, and the other areas targeted are helpful.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“I tried it. Pain relief for about 36 hours.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“If you were my client, I would recommend attention to your quadratus lumborum muscles, glute work, TFL, psoas tractioning via the ASIS, and vastus lateralis from the front and back. This is pretty comprehensive and does wonders for my clients. If you...”
Source: reddit.com ↗“I’d recommend trying Thai Massage. I find it helps a lot of my clients with LB soreness. The twisting stretches and movements help”
Source: reddit.com ↗“In my experience, a lot of low back pain comes from the glutes. While strengthening them is great, I would make sure they remain soft. Contracted glutes are painful for the low back. Strengthening the abs is usually a much better solution.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“It's really dependent on the person, their tolerance and what exactly is causing their pain. Low back pain can be caused by so many issues. Would recommend seeing a therapeutic massage therapist, tell them medium pressure to start and adjust as neede...”
Source: reddit.com ↗“I was looking at them! They have great reviews. Glad to hear it worked for you.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“Magic Foot Spa off Milwaukee/Fairview helped with my PF.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“A boot you wear at night that stretches the bottom of the foot worked for me. I hated wearing it, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat”
Source: reddit.com ↗“Same, I was just diagnosed with PF a couple pf months ago and the thing that helped the absolute most was a new pair of shoe with Smart Feet pain relief inserts. Such an annoying condition!”
Source: reddit.com ↗“I don’t have recommendations but Doing yoga for my lower back/hamstrings made a world of difference for my PF. “Warrior” poses etc Best of luck!”
Source: reddit.com ↗The Skeptics
Critical voices and complaints. The honest counterpoint.
“I do psoas release too, but it is only a small part of a very long muscle, and can be difficult/painful to reach depending on a person's body type. Massaging that attachment should be part of a greater plan, and not something to do on its own.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“I had "mink glove massage" once, and I seem to recall it was covered, the guy was a physical therapist. Ask your doc if theres any way to make it covered. It didnt work well, as I recall, but it was different. You may want to try an osteopath, some o...”
Source: reddit.com ↗“No massage was painful as hell because I have fibromyalgia as well.”
Source: reddit.com ↗“I would go see a podiatrist (foot doctor). Also if you are in your feet all day, make sure you have good shoes with cushioning and arch support. You may have plantar fasciitis, if you get up and your feet hurt then it probably is. You need to change...”
Source: quora.com ↗“Hello Ahmed. Interesting enough, yes it can. It certainly can’t hurt you, so I say go for it. There’s a form of pseudoscience called Reflexology. By massaging certain areas of your foot you can help to alleviate back pain. We also suggest the use of...”
Source: quora.com ↗Community Insights
Patterns, perspectives, and context from the broader conversation.
Look up “trigger point chart” and you will see all the ones that exist on the legs, then you’ll be able to identify which ones are more sore.
reddit.com ↗I vaguely remember behind the knee but I also recollect some hip poking as well. It was a while ago so my memory is fuzzy.
reddit.com ↗There is an acupressure point behind the knee called UB 40 that when pressed can alleviate low back pain. And possible points around the hip could have been GB29.
reddit.com ↗The body is reacting to the treatment, Every person reacts differently. Having signs on your foot for knee problems doesn't necessarily mean you have physical knee problems , it can also mean you had some difficulty in life going forward needing to "...
reddit.com ↗Ooooh, I’m not using a foam roller. I use a brand called TuneUp balls, that are a soft rubber that deforms a fair bit, it’s been tested safe for use on almost all the body, they even have a balloon like one for your stomach. They make good gear
reddit.com ↗Big nono for lower back at least the fascia roll and balls.
reddit.com ↗100% suggest this.. it may not solve the underlying issue, but it will release the tissue! Even 10-15minutes of yoga tune up per day can make a world of difference.
reddit.com ↗Look into fascia release techniques like yoga TuneUp balls for self massage or fascia scrapping.
reddit.com ↗So the main issue, is an extremely stiff lower back.
reddit.com ↗Not just massaging feet - fixing my entire posterior chain. Tight calves, unequal strength, horrendously tight hips causing back pain which changes my gait, and thus how my feet land, subsequent foot pain and tight calves...
reddit.com ↗My PT uses a graston. It hurts so good, and has long term effects
reddit.com ↗It helps you feel good in the moment and in the immediate aftermath. It doesn’t do much to actually solve any issues, long term. That said, I love using my foot massager at the end of the day when I come home and my feet always feel better afterwards...
reddit.com ↗Massage guns certainly work if looking for a pre-work warm up, and very good on tired feet after a busy day.
reddit.com ↗I tried massaging my feet myself and it didn’t really do anything but then I bought a massage gun and it’s been helping a lot
reddit.com ↗Massage for lumbar pain can come in many styles. Just be sure to work with a therapist who has experience. Strengthen your Quads and glutes.
reddit.com ↗I would target based on area. If they want to relax, but also alleviate their pain then do Swedish all over, except when you get to the low back area. Then do the appropriate deep tissue/therapeutic release techniques on the QL, glutes and thoracolum...
reddit.com ↗I think there should be more training in this area during schooling since so many clients can benefit from it and it is so tricky. Definitely could use some advanced training
reddit.com ↗Absolutely, definitely have to take caution. I dont work this area unless working other areas doesnt help or the client has visibly anteriorally tilted hips
reddit.com ↗Yes all of this! Although the psoas major can be accessed on the ASIS of the pelvis (that bone ridge). For my desk job clients coming in complaining of back pain, i like to check out the psoas. It can be accessed with a couple fingers hooking over th...
reddit.com ↗Holy shit. I bought something similar to this and my foot feels infinitely better!!! I’ve used it a few times a day since and it works so much better than a lacrosse ball. It must be the grooves. Thank you so much
reddit.com ↗No massage place but I wish I would have ordered this earlier in my PF journey. I think it would have done the trick. https://a.co/d/euecn1p I ended up having surgery after being in agony for years. Only Birkenstocks, Chacos, and Brooks on these dogs...
reddit.com ↗You need to do downward dog all the time, either on the floor or against the wall, to stretch your calves, they’re way too tight. Namaste.
reddit.com ↗I’m going to try a few inserts maybe even one of those custom ones where they take the mold of your foot.
reddit.com ↗Relax Massage on State. Incidentally- my PF is linked exclusively to shoes. Even shoes that look good on the outside can be worn out, and replacing them always resolves it for me. PF sucks, good luck
reddit.com ↗I don't know about plantar fasciaits but I love Panda Foot Spa in Wicker Park on North - maybe try them!
reddit.com ↗You might get some good PT recs in r/runnersinchicago if you want to go that route :)
reddit.com ↗The main thing to do for plantar fasciitis is to never walk around the house barefoot or in unsupportive, flimsy flip-flops or unsupportive shoes. You need some thick, supportive flip-flops to walk/stand in all day. Like Oofos, Vionic, or Hoka.
reddit.com ↗Wish I could find one, let me know. I do a golf ball or frozen water bottle at home by self. The wooden footrollers are good too. Maybe need a sports medicine/rehab place.
reddit.com ↗If you are able, strongly suggest looking into physical therapy. Plantar fasciitis can be caused be caused by a muscular problem elsewhere in your leg/glute/back. Solving the root is the only way to stop the pain for good.
reddit.com ↗Depending on the type of pain and for how long you've been suffering, it might require a bit more time to release the tension and for your body to find balance again. Reflexology might need time
reddit.com ↗Where This Data Comes From
All data is scraped from public discussions. We do not store private information.
Last updated: October 13, 2026