Q&A Reflexology - Common Questions Answered

Interested in finding out more about Reflexology and how it works? Here, I have gathered some of the most common questions clients often ask during Reflexology sessions – with clear and simple answers. Whether you are new to reflexology or you would like to deepen your understanding, I hope this blog helps you learn more about the different aspects of reflexology, and my approach to this effective therapeutic method.

How does Reflexology work? 

Reflexology works with the structures and functions of the body through touch of the feet. You may have seen a foot chart that maps the entire body on the foot. The reflex zones reflect all parts, organs and tissues of the body. When certain reflex zones are stimulated by the therapist’s touch, it affects the corresponding regions in the body. This helps restore balance, regulates the functions of organs and tissues, and supports natural processes such as breathing, circulation and digestion. Overall, reflexology enhances the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

Do we all have the ability to heal ourselves?

Yes, we do! Our body is constantly working to preserve and improve health: repairing tissues, regenerating, rebalancing and optimizing its functions. A healthy body has the natural ability to self-regulate and maintain balance. The reflexologist’s hands communicate with the ‘inner doctor’, a term coined by Paracelsus, a European Renaissance medical pioneer who recognized our innate healing capacity. Stress and high demands in life can compromise our healing ability. Reflexology supports this innate healing power by working with areas of the feet that correspond, for instance, to the lymphatic, digestive or nervous systems helping the body self-regulate.

How did the foot chart come about?

There are the so-called micro-systems in the body that can be found in the hand, feet, ears and eyes. These micro-systems reflect structures, tissues and organs of the whole body. Auricular therapists work with the ears to address the body’s imbalances, iridology practitioner use the eyes to assess aspects of a person’s health, and reflexologists use hands and feet in their treatments.

Throughout history, practitioners have worked on feet or hands to help relieve pain in the body and support health. The concept of the micro-systems is based on clinical experience and traditional cultural knowledge. Contemporary reflexology charts continue to evolve as new medical knowledge is integrated. In Reflexology, we mainly use the foot chart as it is the most detailed and has proven to be the most effective.

Has Reflexology been around for a long time?

Yes! Reflexology has its roots in ancient healing traditions. The knowledge of using feet and hand to influence overall health and relieve pain has existed for millennia. Records date back to Ancient Egypt, India, China and Japan. Reflexology also goes back to the healing art of the Native Indians in North America and the so-called pressure therapy in 14th Europe.

Modern reflexology is influenced by Dr. William Fitzgerald work, who developed Zone Therapy and Eunice Ingham, often called the mother of Reflexology who was the first one who mapped the entire body on the feet. In Germany, Hanne Marquardt refined these techniques into what is now known as Reflexotherapy, which is widely recognized and practiced today in Europe.

So, you were trained with Hanne Marquardt?

About 20 years ago, I trained at one of her schools in Berlin. Since then, I have continued my professional education, particularly with Touchpoint Reflexology, a Reflexology school in Denmark that is at the forefront of Reflexology research and the development of new techniques.

How do the European training schools differ from the ones in North America and Canada?

In Germany, there is a clear distinction between Reflexology Massage and the so-called Reflexotherapy or Therapeutic Reflexology. Reflexology massage is primarily preventative and often offered in spa settings, while Reflexotherapy is a medical method that addresses illnesses and disorders. The Hanne Marquardt schools in Germany only accept medical and therapeutic practitioners. Reflexotherapy goes beyond massage targeting physical issues in the body such as back pain, headaches, insomnia, digestive troubles, sinusitis, edema, or chronic pain.

Reflexotherapy has become an accepted and recognized therapy in many European countries. Many reflexologists in Canada also work therapeutically, yet the field is less regulated than in Germany and other European countries. To simplify, I now call my work ‘Reflexology’ while I am fully committed to practicing the therapeutic approach I was trained in.

Is Reflexology covered by medical in Canada?

In Germany and many other European countries, reflexology is integrated into the medical system and widely accepted as a therapeutic method. It is prescribed by doctors, practiced by various healthcare professionals, and covered by extended medical insurance. In Canada, reflexology is still developing toward that level of recognition. Although some insurance coverage is available, the profession continues to work toward broader acceptance and regulation. I am a member of the Reflexology Association of Canada (RAC) which supports professional standards and recognition for reflexology across the country.

My treatments are covered by extended health insurance with a number of providers in Canada. However, coverage varies, so it is always advisable to contact your insurance provider to confirm whether reflexology is included in your individual policy.

What common conditions do you work on?

I work on a variety of conditions, including back or shoulder pain, digestive issues, headaches, TMJ syndrome, fatigue, sleep problems, chronic pain, and even balance concerns. That said, in reflexology we always look beyond the symptoms to address the underlying causes. Instead of focusing on the areas where symptoms appear, we concentrate on the reflex zones that reflect the root causes of those symptoms.

How do you address the root causes of symptoms?

For example, when a person has a headache, we don’t automatically focus on the head area on the foot. Instead, we explore the reflex zones that are out of balance which may include the hormonal system, neck and shoulder muscles, or the digestive system. In this way, we work holistically, treating the root causes rather than just the symptom. The headache or any symptom, is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ pointing to deeper imbalances in the body that we aim to restore.

Do you work with stress or emotional issues?

Yes, especially these days with global and personal stresses, many people feel overwhelmed, anxious and emotionally out of balance. In my reflexology sessions, I often focus on supporting the nervous system which is closely linked to both physical and emotional well-being. Balancing the autonomic nervous system, particularly the vagus nerve, is an important part of this work.

The autonomic nervous system regulates essential functions like heart rate, breathing, digestion, and stress responses, and it also plays a key role in how we experience emotions. Reflexology helps the body maintain flexibility in the nervous system allowing it to shift between fight-or-flight and rest-and-digest-modes. Stress resiliency and emotional balance mean having the ability to move flexibly between activation and recovery, and to return to balance after periods of stress. In my practice, I see every day that Reflexology can help reduce stress and tension, support emotional balance, and enhance the body’s natural capacity for healing.

Do you have more questions about Reflexology? Or do you have questions regarding Alexander Technique? Please reach out and I am happy to answer them all! heike@balanceartsstudio.com | 778.245.1750