Can Reflexology Massage Help Alleviate Symptoms of Endometriosis?

Reflexology, or zone therapy, is an alternative medical practice with its roots dating back to 2500BC in ancient Egypt. This therapy involves massage, focusing on applying pressure to specific points primarily on the feet, but also to the hands and ears. It operates in a similar way to acupuncture in that it works on the premise that certain parts of the body are mirrors or are connected to corresponding areas in the body. Reflexology divides the hands and feet into ten vertical zones, these are meridian points or energy highways, each linked to various organs, body parts, and systems—referred to as reflex points. In reflexology there are charts of the hands and feet, which map out these connections, showing which locations are connected to parts further in the body. For example, the centre of the base of the big toe is linked to the pituitary gland in the brain. Therefore, applying the right amount of pressure to the zone is believed to bring about physical change to the corresponding body part, providing better health.

The application of pressure in reflexology is believed to stimulate energy flow enhancing a person's Qi (pronounced chee). Qi is considered the invisible life force we have within us, and any blockages in our energetic field are believed to be able to cause illness or prevent healing. Reflexology aims to release blockages in specific areas causing pain or illness. It's important to note, reflexology is considered a pseudoscience, meaning there is not enough large-scale experiential scientific evidence to conclusively prove its effectiveness. Nonetheless, practitioners hold the belief it is a non-invasive practice that by stimulating areas can relieve stress and pain which can induce calmness and increase energy. By restoring circulation of blood and flow of vital energy, reflexology maintains balance in the body and therefore promotes health. It can be used as treatment for a variety of issues including headaches or urinary tract conditions.

So how might reflexology benefit women with endo? In theory, by removing any Qi blockages, reflexology may enable the body to heal itself, potentially reducing symptoms such as pain, digestion and encouraging hormonal balance. But is there any research on this? While research on this specific topic is limited, a small pilot study in Brazil, on seventeen nursing students with moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome showed promising results(1). These students received eight thirty-minute reflexology sessions on their feet over eight weeks. The results indicated a significant decrease in a range of symptoms including insomnia, muscle and joint pain, weight gain, breast tenderness and tiredness. Since women with endo can often struggle with PMS, reflexology may offer a non-pharmacological method to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. 

Another study involved sixty-eight participants with primary dysmenorrhea, who were randomly divided and assigned to receive either ten reflexology sessions for two consecutive menses cycles or ibuprofen once every eight hours for three days, for three consecutive menses cycles(2). Both groups experienced a significant reduction in pain before and after their inventions.  However, the women receiving reflexology demonstrated a more substantial reduction in the intensity and duration of the menstrual pain with lasting effects even after discontinuing the treatment in the third cycle, as the scores were continuously lower. This is particularly encouraging as long-term chronic use of ibuprofen can cause side effects, unlike reflexology. It’s important to highlight that these women had primary dysmenorrhea, meaning their period pain was not associated with any health condition. Of course, women with endo have very different reasons for their period pain, so the results are by nature going to differ. Unfortunately, there is a lack of studies on women with endometriosis and the effects of reflexology treatment to discuss. While anecdotal evidence suggests that reflexology has helped some women with endometriosis reduce their symptoms, it's challenging to generalise the results for a condition that affects so many women differently. If it works for you however that is the main thing you need to focus on.

Reflexology has been studied to decipher whether there are benefits to receiving reflexology after surgical procedures. In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study, forty-eight patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery were either offered a twenty-minute hand reflexology massage, or a placebo hand stroking massage(3). The reflexology massage showed a significant reduction in pain and anxiety scores compared to the placebo. These results are seen repeatedly within several studies which also tested foot reflexology for many types of surgery. Therefore, if you have an upcoming surgery or recently underwent one, it may be worthwhile scheduling a reflexology massage to assist in your healing journey. If you have any concerns or questions, please always speak to your doctor to ensure it is the correct decision for you.

" After wanting to try reflexology for a while, I decided to book in an at-home reflexology massage during my time off after my first surgery. As I lay there relaxing and enjoying having a massage, I suddenly felt this intense pain in my ankle, and I yanked my foot away from the practitioner. I apologised, slightly embarrassed and shocked by the sudden sensation, but she informed me, knowing I had just had surgery, that it was in fact the area of my pelvis that she was working on when I had snapped my foot away. In reflexology, any pain or sensitivity to an area indicates an imbalance or blocked Qi. The rest of the massage was painless, so the contrast in that area made me feel like there might be something true about this ancient practice. I was pleased that I had the massage and I felt like it had been a worthwhile"

 Please let us know in the comments if you have tried or used reflexology and what your experience was?

1 - Vieira RAKS, Nagumo MT, Kuba G, Kurebayashi LFS, Turrini RNT. Effect of Foot Reflexology Protocol on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in Nursing Students: a Pre–Post Pilot Study. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice. 2021;14(4). doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v14i4.631

2 - Valiani M, Babaei E, Heshmat R, Zare Z. Comparing the effects of reflexology methods and Ibuprofen administration on dysmenorrhea in female students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2010;15(Suppl 1):371-378.

3 - Göktuna G, Arslan S, Arslan GG. The effect of hand reflexology massage on pain and anxiety after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. August 2023. doi:10.1097/jcn.0000000000001033