How safe is the practice of Reflexology
Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES)DRRES-3
This Rapid Response should be cited as
ACRES (2010) How safe is the practice of Reflexology; A Rapid Response Brief. Kampala: The Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis
Summary
Background: Reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating predefined pressure points on the feet and hands. While its popularity has increased, the safety of reflexology has not been extensively studied. Findings: There is a large amount of empirical evidence but very little scientific research on reflexology. A 1997 literature review did not document any side effects or adverse events from reflexology. Conclusion: The limited information suggests that reflexology, while potentially beneficial, is not without potential harm. More research is needed.