Last updated 27/12/2023 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

What is Foot Reflex Therapy? How does reflexology work?

Foot zone therapy is an alternative treatment that involves pressure on specific points on the feet in order for these foot zone points to be able to relieve conditions in other places on the body - such as migraines. A large review study (Ernst et al, 2009) concluded that there is a lack of evidence that reflexology and reflexology work.

What is Foot Reflex Therapy?

Foot reflexology is a treatment technique that is used in the treatment of, among other things sore muscles and a host of other conditions. In the treatment, the therapist uses the thumb, fingers and hands to process and work with specific points on the feet. The treatment is aimed at areas of the foot that should have a processing effect against a number of conditions.

Phototherapy has a lack of evidence, but there are a number of people who think it works for them.

Here is an example of a foot therapy map showing specific foot zones.

Read more in this work of literature: Reflex Zone Therapy of the Feet: A Comprehensive Guide for Health Professionals (click on the link to read more)

How is photon therapy done?

Based on the pain and the condition you want to treat, it can take several treatments (not abnormal that it can take up to 6-10 treatments) before you achieve full recovery. Foot zone therapy is performed by foot zone therapists with a focus on these foot zones - it does not use muscle techniques and the like that are used by physiotherapists, chiropractors og manual therapists. Many claim that reflexology can provide relief from muscle pain.

- What is a trigger point?

A trigger point, or muscle node, occurs when muscle fibers have departed from their normal orientation and regularly contract into a more knot-like formation. You may think of it as if you have several strands lying in a row next to each other, nicely assorted, but when placed crosswise you are closer to a visual image of a muscle knot. This may be due to a sudden overload, but most normally it is due to gradual failure over an extended period of time. A muscle becomes painful, or symptomatic, when the dysfunction becomes so severe that it becomes pain. In other words, it's time to do something about it.

Also read: - Muscle pain? This is why!

Also read: Ginger for muscle pain?

Also read: What is cupping / vacuum treatment?

Also read: Infrared light therapy - can it help me fight my pain?

Sources:

Nakkeprolaps.no (Learn everything you need to know about neck prolapse, including exercises and prevention).

Vitalistic-Chiropractic.com (A comprehensive search index where you can find a recommended therapist).