Zone therapy, or reflexology, is an alternative medicine including the physical action of applying pressure to the feet, hands, or ears with special thumb, finger, and hand techniques without using lotion or oil. It's based on what reflexologists promise to be a system of zones and reflex areas that they say represent a picture of the body on the feet and hands, together with the assumption that such work effects a physical change to the body.[1] A 2009 systematic review of randomised controlled trials reasons that
"The best evidence available to date doesn't show convincingly that reflexology is a powerful treatment for almost any medical condition."[2]
There's no consensus among reflexologists on how reflexology is designed to work; a unifying theme is the notion that places on the foot correspond to regions of the entire body, and that by simply manipulating these one can enhance well-being through one's qi.[3] Reflexologists break up the body into ten equal perpendicular zones, five on the right and five on the left.[4] issues are raised by medical professionals that treating possibly serious sicknesses with reflexology, which has no demonstrated effectiveness, could delay the seeking of proper clinical treatment
"The best evidence available to date doesn't show convincingly that reflexology is a powerful treatment for almost any medical condition."[2]
There's no consensus among reflexologists on how reflexology is designed to work; a unifying theme is the notion that places on the foot correspond to regions of the entire body, and that by simply manipulating these one can enhance well-being through one's qi.[3] Reflexologists break up the body into ten equal perpendicular zones, five on the right and five on the left.[4] issues are raised by medical professionals that treating possibly serious sicknesses with reflexology, which has no demonstrated effectiveness, could delay the seeking of proper clinical treatment