As a reflexology instructor of many years, I constantly witness the confusion that exists in people’s minds as to what reflexology is.  Since most massage schools in the United States do not teach reflexology in-depth (or at all), it’s not surprising that most practitioners are left thinking that reflexology is simply the inclusion of applied static pressure during a massage on points of the feet or hands as indicated on a reflexology chart. In this post I will describe the similarities and differences between reflexology (as we know it in North America) and massage therapy. The licensing laws defining massage therapy differ state-to-state.  In generalthough, they all, in some way convey the systematic manipulation of the soft tissue of the human body as the basis of therapeutic massage. Reflexology also manipulates soft tissue – of certain parts of the human body (feet, hands, ears,).  Both modalities, therefore, qualify as a manual therapy, and I would say that both aim to enhance the quality of the recipient’s experience of her/himself. Where reflexology and massage differ is in their intent, not something readily discernable if you were observing a practitioner in action. An analogy would be the family medical doctor and a cardiovascular surgeon. Both are physicians, licensed under the same state department, but their work and the intent of their work is very different. The primary intent of classic western massage techniques is to relax the tension held within the soft tissue of the body. The reason for this may be to diminish pain, increase circulation, improve posture and/or structural function and/or produce physical, emotional and mental relaxation. Reflexology provides deep relaxation and like massage, reflexology increases circulation of the blood and lymph. Although the effects of conventional reflexology may include relaxation of the musculature, the intent is quite different.  Western reflexology’s primary intent is to improve the functioning of the body: the physiology. The focus of the session is on the points related to the various organs and glands of the body’s systems, not the connective tissue elements of the foot or hand. The mechanism by which reflexology affects the internal structures of the body is through the systematic application of alternating pressure to the tissue of both feet (or hands) in entirety. Reflexology takes a constitutional approach – treating the entire body – as opposed to the allopathic model of addressing only the area of complaint. The stimulation of the sensory nerve pathways provided by very specific techniques sends messages to the brain, which in turn instructs the various organs and glands to alter the release of chemicals that control the balance and functioning of the systems. When I see therapists massaging the feet and occasionally pushing their thumbs into certain areas, it is clear to me that they have not been trained in reflexology.  The absence of specific techniques that “talk” to the brain, guarantees that, although the recipient will likely feel wonderful afterwards, their bodies will not have been provided the neurological environment that allows for the many recognized internal benefits of reflexology to occur. (That neurological environment, by the way, is not attained by applying pressure so deep as to cause pain in either the recipient and/or practitioner. The corresponding effect on the related body part is determined by the size of the nerve endings, not the “weight” put on the reflex point.) Many people love to receive reflexology, and regularly schedule expensive sessions at world-class spas and resorts.  When a foot massage is passed off as reflexology these spa guests are quite vocal about it!  I know that for a fact, because spa directors often contact me, following these unpleasant incidences, to come and instruct their staff in giving a “true” reflexology session. If you’re not trained in reflexology, better to give a top-notch foot massage and call it just that, rather than discredit yourself, your employer and the profession. Karen Ball, LMT, Certified Reflexologist & Aromatherapist has been working as a manual therapist since 1983. Upon graduation from the Florida School of Massage, she was invited to join the teaching faculty, where she currently teaches reflexology, professional boundaries & ethics, HIV education and therapeutic communication skills. Through the Academy of Ancient Reflexology, Karen offers the 315-hour Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification, and a growing roster of weekend workshops and classes in conventional reflexology, Thai reflexology and allied subjects. Academy of Ancient Reflexology Reflexology Blog