Imagine this: It’s 18:00 and you’ve just finished work. You have a headache, your lower back has been bothering you a bit lately, and the week has only just begun—so has the wait for weekend rest. And suddenly, you step into a space where the only thing you have to do for the next 45 minutes is relax and let a specialist remove the stress of the day, the pain from your muscles and joints, and, of course, that persistent headache.

What is reflexology?

“Reflexology is an alternative form of therapy, based on the stimulation of specific reflex points mainly on the soles of the feet but also on the palms of the patient. Essentially, it is as if we are addressing, one by one, the specific organs or organ systems we want to work on. This is achieved through pressure and massage on specific nerve endings, stimulating our nervous system and, ultimately, enhancing the function of all the organs or systems of our body.”

Which conditions can reflexology be applied to?

“Reflexology is of a general pathological nature, meaning it can be applied to all the systems and organs of our body, in order to treat or alleviate a vast variety of conditions or problems. From headaches, migraines, muscle or joint pain and insomnia to infertility, dysmenorrhea, digestive disorders—for example gastroesophageal reflux, heartburn, constipation—or an autoimmune disease. Even stress should be considered as a condition that we can address through reflexology. However, in some conditions, for example autoimmune diseases, we do not perform reflexology to eliminate the disease, but to improve the individual’s functionality. In addition, it is important to emphasize that reflexology can be either autonomous or complementary to another type of therapy—depending on the problem or condition we want to address. In some conditions it is definitely performed as a complementary treatment, for example in cancer or in other conditions that require some form of intervention or therapeutic regimen. In infertility as well, reflexology can function as an ideal complementary therapy during assisted reproduction.”

In what way does it help with such conditions?

“It has been proven that reflexology improves the proper functioning of the body and eliminates either diseases or symptoms. Even if someone is following a pharmaceutical treatment, this does not mean that they should stop it in order to undergo reflexology. Abroad, in Denmark, Norway, England and other countries, reflexology is part of the healthcare system. This is not because Norwegians or, for example, Danes are more in favor of natural methods, but because they have seen that there are indeed results. They have therefore realized that by taking advantage of the benefits of such therapies, they can ultimately reduce the cost of the healthcare system.”