Research Results

 

What does reflexology research show?

 

Research has shown reflexology to be effective and beneficial in impacting a variety of physical and psychological concerns. Just as the right amount of exercise is beneficial, the right amount of reflexology has been proven to be beneficial as well.

Research confirms the benefits noted above. A survey of 168 reflexology studies from 21 countries shows that reflexology is 93% effective and its effect on a variety of physical and psychological concerns:

  • Real-time EEG testing of brain waves shows that reflexology has an immediate impact, creating a relaxation effect as soon as hands-on work begins.
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  • Twenty-four studies demonstrate reflexology’s positive impact on relaxation.
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  • A single foot reflexology session makes a difference. Austrian research demonstrated that blood flow to the kidney improves in a single session. The researchers further showed the same for blood flow to the intestines.
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  • State-of-the-art brain imaging technology by fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) shows that specific reflexology work increases blood flow and impacts specific parts of the brain.
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  • Pain reduction is documented in 27 studies including research showing impact on individuals of all ages and health states: birthing mothers, menstruating women, phantom limb pain sufferers, lower back pain sufferers, kidney stone patients, senior citizens and individuals with pain resulting from surgery.
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  • Reflexology helps where nothing else can for phantom limb pain sufferers, postpartum women, and hemodialysis patients to name a few.
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  • Reflexology serves as a complement to cancer care. Thirteen studies from seven countries shown improvements in: pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or anxiety for chemotherapy patients following reflexology work. In two studies results were immediate, easing symptoms following a ten-minute session in one study and a thirty- minute session in another.
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  • Reflexology results in easier birthing, delivery, and/or postpartum recovery as found in nine studies.
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  • Reflexology can serve as an adjunct to mental health care for those with depression, anxiety, or Post traumatic stress disorder.
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  • Hand reflexology has a right-now, real-time impact. Research from Singapore show that application of technique to the hands’ brain reflex area creates a brain wave pattern of relaxation.
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  • A 10-minute hand reflexology session makes a difference in a health concern. Research from Korea showed that a 10-minute, five day a week for 5 weeks hand reflexology workout brought about significant differences in areas of importance for kidney dialysis patients.
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  • Self-help foot rolling creates change. A 20-minute electric foot roller workout changed three parameters of cardiac function in study participants. (Singapore)
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  • Self-foot reflexology can produce results. Applied for 30 minutes, three times a week for 4 weeks, it was shown to be an effective method for reducing urinary incontinence symptoms and daily life discomfort. (Korea)
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  • Also, daily self-help foot reflexology for 6 weeks reduced depression and stress responses, as well as strengthened the immune system in middle-aged women. (Korea)

 

– Reflexology Research
– A to Z List of Reflexology Research

Evidence-Based Reflexology Research for Health Professionals and Researchers (Kunz and Kunz, 2008, RRP Press, ebook, 224 pages)