Reflexology Maps

Is there 'scientific evidence' on the effectiveness of reflexology?

Keep the sarcy comments and neither am I interested in your opinion on reflexology. Try to answer the question or don't bother. I will report those with a pathological need to be abusive towards questions regarding alternative treatments :-) Would appreciate links to the 'evidence' in question, thanks.

Public Comments

1. There is no evidence that reflexology can cure or prevent any disease. Some people, however, find it beneficial. I imagine this is due to the placebo effect, which can be quite powerful. This is one link which you may find useful. http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/trials/understanding/default.asp?page=254
2. Firstly - a common sense approach backed up by a reasonable knowledge of human physiology is enough to question the credibility of reflexology as a useful therapy. Many claims of reflexologists just do not make sense: how can touching the bottom of the foot be beneficial to the heart or to the kidneys, for instance? How can it cure a migraine or fight off a bacterial infection? For this to be true, there would have to be some direct connection between the heart and the foot, something which can effect the physiology of the heart while at the same time be suspectible to touch - e.g. sensory receptor in the foot. We know that sensory receptors exist elsewhere. e.g. carotid bodies which detect changes in blood pressure. But nothing of this kind has been found in the feet and our knowledge of human anatomy is pretty extensive. But being touched can feel nice - and this might help some people to feel better and healthier in themselves. We know there is a lot of evidence relating to the physiological benefits of being mentally healthy.
3. It sounds good to me Reflexology is based on the theory that reflex points, located in the feet or hands are linked to various parts of the body and organs. According to this theory, stimulation of these points is thought to affect the connected organ or body part. By stimulating these reflex points, reflexologists claim that they can relieve a wide variety of health problems and promote well being and relaxation Some proponents claim that reflexology can help conditions such as respiratory infections, headaches, asthma, diabetes, back pain, premenstrual distress, and problems with the skin and gastrointestinal tract. They also say reflexology can stimulate internal organs, boost circulation, and restore bodily functions to normal. They believe that energy travels from the foot to the spine, where it is released to the rest of the body. They believe that reflexology releases endorphins (the body’s own natural pain killers) and detoxifies the body by dissolving uric acid crystals in the feet. Some reflexologists say that a tender or gritty area of the foot or hand reflects a current or past disease in the organ linked to that area.
4. No but,yeah but no bu-- Seriously the answer is an emphatic NO! however, a lot of people gain a lot of benefit from it so what does science know?
5. Reflexology is not effective beyond placebo in any properly controlled, blinded clinical study. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/reflex.html This is a link to a classic reflexology chart http://www.reflexology-research.com/Images/foot.jpeg The questions that comes to mind when studying this chart is: What can reflexology do if there's something wrong with my toe? How can pressing on my heel make my toe better? Then just extrapolate the problem.