Category Archives: research

The Science of Reflexology

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Click to watch testimonial from student

Dr. Jesus Manzanares, a medical Dr. from Barcelona, uses reflexology to diagnosis and treat his patients. Over the last few decades he has conducted research including documenting the ‘mechanism of action’ for reflexology where he biopsied the feet on patients with a specific diagnosis. The impulse we create on the feet is picked up by the peripheral nervous system an
d eventually communicates with the brain which then causes positive biochemical changes in the body. His research also shows that the pressure on the feet has to be tailored to the clients pain threshold for it to be effective. Gentle or soft pressure will suit some clients while others will need more precise and robust pressure.

manzanaresmethod.com for more on the science of reflexology.

Three Clinical Studies involving Reflexology!

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I have loved being involved as lead reflexologist in these studies for the past 11 years.

The third multi-site/longitudinal, randomized clinical trial for reflexology and quality of life during cancer treatment is underway.

The first and second studies received statistically significant results in support of reflexology.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, these studies are establishing reflexology as an important therapy for symptom management during cancer treatment.

 Study 1:“Reflexology: An intervention for Advanced Breast Cancer”

Completed 2010,http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3576031/

clinicaltrials.govidentifier #, NTC01577420

Basic results-

  • Reflexology is safe.
  • Reflexology is a specialized therapy; it is not foot massage.
  • Significant improvement in dyspnea (shortness of breath) and ability to function in everyday activities such as walking up a flight of stairs or carry a bag of groceries. 

Study 2:“Home-Based Symptom Management via Reflexology for Breast Cancer patients” Completed April, 2018, clinicaltrials.gov identifier #, NTC01582971

Basic Results-

The total symptom scores showed significant improvement after reflexology. This total symptom improvement was led by the strength of improvements in fatigue and pain with all other symptoms also showing improvement in the total symptom score (nausea/vomiting, disturbed sleep, distress or being upset, shortness of breath, difficulty remembering things, lack of appetite, dry mouth or sore mouth, feeling sad, numbness and tingling, diarrhea/constipation).

Study 3: “Using SMART Design to Improve Symptom Management Strategies Among Cancer Patients”

This study is currently underway.2015-2020—Over 400 dyads have enrolled thus far.

Cancer Clinics in Michigan, Chicago and Arizona are working with this study.

Principal Investigators for all three studies- Gwen Wyatt, PhD, RN, FAAN—Alla Sikorskii, PhD

(Michigan State University, College of Nursing)