Reflexology: Claims, Evidence and Safety
Reflexology applies pressure to points on the feet or hands. Learn what the foot map claims, what reviews found for pain, cancer care and multiple sclerosis, and what to check first.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What It Is
Reflexology is a practice in which different amounts of pressure are applied to specific points on the feet or hands. These points are believed to match up with other parts of the body. Reflexology is claimed to cause relaxation and healing in those parts, but this has not been proven. [1]The Foot Map Is a Claim, Not Anatomy
Reflexology charts show zones of the foot labeled as stomach, liver, spine and so on. That mapping is the proposed explanation for the practice. It is not an established feature of human anatomy, and the sources we read do not show that pressing a spot on the foot affects the matching organ. [1] Treat any statement that a reflexologist can "see" or "treat" an organ problem from the foot as a marketing claim.What can be studied is simpler: do people who receive reflexology feel better than people who receive a convincing sham version, or no treatment, and by how much? That is what the research below tests.
What Research Shows
Evidence labels: mixed, insufficient evidence, no good evidence of benefit.| Question | What the source found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Any medical condition (18 trials, 2009 review) | Quality often poor, samples small; most higher-quality trials were not positive; best evidence did not demonstrate that reflexology works for any condition [2] | no good evidence of benefit (as of 2009) |
| Mental health in people with cancer (15 trials, 1,356 people) | Results for stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life mixed and conflicting; certainty low to very low [3] | mixed |
| Multiple sclerosis (11 studies) | Versus sham reflexology, pain and fatigue scores were lower; no difference in physical function or emotional well-being [4] | promising but limited |
| Irritable bowel syndrome | Too little evidence to reach any conclusion [1] | insufficient evidence |
| Advanced breast cancer (NCI-funded study) | Improvement in a few symptoms, such as shortness of breath, but not others, such as nausea or pain [1] | mixed |
Two notes on reading this table. First, the 2009 review is old, and the later reviews above cover newer trials. Second, the multiple sclerosis review compared "precision reflexology" with sham reflexology, a fairer test than comparing with nothing, yet its authors still used cautious wording. [4] NCCIH adds that evidence for most multiple sclerosis symptoms is insufficient, though a small amount of research suggests it might help a burning or prickling sensation. [1]
Safety
In the NCI-funded breast cancer study, reflexology was safe even for the most fragile patients. [1] We did not find a source on side effects in other groups, such as people with foot injuries, circulation problems or pregnancy, so ask your doctor or midwife before a session. For pregnancy, see pregnancy and breastfeeding safety.The main risk is indirect: relying on reflexology instead of care for a condition that needs treatment. NCCIH advises not using a complementary approach to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem. [5]
Sessions and Practitioners
Reflexology is not a licensed health profession in all places, and the sources we read for this page do not describe its training or regulation. Check what credentials a practitioner holds where you live and what they claim to treat. If someone promises to cure a disease, or tells you to stop a medicine, step away. For general guidance see choosing a qualified practitioner and how to evaluate a therapy claim.Related Pages
What massage therapy and bodywork are, massage evidence by goal.Frequently asked questions
Does reflexology work?
Reflexology is claimed to cause relaxation and healing in other parts of the body, but this has not been proven. [1] A review of 18 trials found that the best evidence did not demonstrate convincingly that it works for any medical condition. [2]
Is the foot map real?
The map is the proposed explanation for how reflexology works. Points on the feet are believed to correspond to other parts of the body, but this has not been proven. [1]
Can reflexology help in cancer care?
Results are mixed. A review of 15 trials in people with cancer found conflicting results on stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life, with low to very low certainty. [3]
Is reflexology safe?
In one NCI-funded study of women with advanced breast cancer, it was safe even for the most fragile patients. [1] Safety in other groups was not covered by the sources we read.
Can reflexology diagnose illness?
No source we read supports that. A person with symptoms should see a clinician.
References
- NCCIH, Reflexology (page last updated January 2020). Read 2026-10-22.
- Is reflexology an effective intervention? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. The Medical journal of Australia 2009. PubMed. Read 2026-10-22.
- The effectiveness of reflexology on mental health in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Complementary therapies in clinical practice 2023. PubMed. Read 2026-10-22.
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of reflexology for people with multiple sclerosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicine 2023. PubMed. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Massage Therapy: What You Need To Know (page last updated May 2019). Read 2026-10-22.