What is it?
Reflexology is a type of foot and hand massage based on the belief that areas on the feet and hands, called “reflex points”, correspond to the body’s internal organs and systems, like a map.
Why use it
Practitioners believe that pressing on reflex points can unblock energy pathways (meridians) and promote health in the related area of the body.
What to expect
After discussing your health and concerns, you take off your shoes. While you are sitting or lying down, the reflexologist works with their hands on your bare feet, possibly using cream or oil. Many people find it relaxing, like a massage, although sometimes certain parts of the hand or foot may feel tender or painful.
Some cancer treatments (e.g. taxanes, capecitabine) can cause sore skin on the feet and weak nails. In this case you should avoid reflexology.
What is the evidence?
Some clinical practice guidelines include reflexology as an option for managing chemotherapy side effects such as pain and peripheral neuropathy (tingling in the hands and feet). Several clinical trials have looked at using reflexology for anxiety, fatigue, breathlessness and quality of life. However, studies have involved small groups, so it’s difficult to say whether the reflexology had any effect.
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Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
A/Prof Geraldine McDonald, Director Patient Experience and Wellbeing, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; A/Prof Christine Carrington, Senior Consultant Pharmacist Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Metro South Health and The University of Queensland, QLD; Kellie Giannarelli, Consumer; Dr Suzanne Grant, Senior Research Fellow, Integrative Oncology, NICM Health Research Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Vivienne Hansen, Bush and Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner, WA; Karla Jaji, Administration Officer, Nepean Cancer and Wellness Centre, NSW; Dr Laura Kirsten, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Services, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, NSW; A/Prof Judith Lacey, Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Adjunct Professor Danforn Lim, Western Sydney University and University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Dr David Mizrahi, Senior Research Fellow and Accredited Exercise Physiologist, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Professor Avni Sali AM, Founder and Director, National Institute of Integrative Medicine, VIC; Gillian Thompson, Consumer; A/Prof Kate Webber, Medical Oncologist, Monash Health, VIC; Tanya Wells, Integrative Oncology Consultant and Naturopath, Melbourne Integrative Oncology Group, VIC; Prof Kate White, Professor Cancer Nursing, Cancer Care Research Unit, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW.
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