Focusing on specific foot pressure points that influence overall relaxation, these massages can alleviate headaches and body aches by targeting connections to the head and brain

Reflexology is often claimed to treat many unrelated medical conditions. Although research is lacking, there is some evidence from available randomized controlled studies (RCTs) and systematic reviews of a health benefit, including the treatment of:

• Anxiety10
• Depression10
• Sleep difficulty11
• Fatigue12
• Labor pain5
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)6
• Kotruchin P, Imoun S, Mitsungnern T, et al. The effects of foot reflexology on blood pressure and heart rate: a randomized clinical trial in stage-2 hypertensive patients. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2021 Mar;23(3):680-686. doi:10.1111/jch.14103
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea13

Reflexology is a practice that involves stimulating certain areas of the feet and sometimes hands and/or ears. The theory behind this is that areas on the feet and hands correlate with areas and organs of the body.

There is not enough evidence to support reflexology as a treatment or cure for any condition. Some studies show positive health benefits, but most studies on reflexology are of poor quality.

Reflexology may help with stress, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep difficulty in combination with other treatments.