✨ Myth 6: Reflexology Isn’t Suitable for Children
- Tanya
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
One of the common myths about reflexology is that it’s only for adults. In reality, babies and children often respond beautifully to this gentle therapy – in fact, many absolutely love it!
Reflexology involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, face, or ears that correspond with different areas of the body. For little ones, these points are worked in a way that is safe, soothing, and perfectly tailored to their age and sensitivity.
Why Reflexology for Children?
Children are incredibly receptive to touch therapies. Their nervous systems are still developing, and gentle reflexology can offer support in a variety of ways:
🌙 Better Sleep – many parents notice their child drifts off more easily after a session.
💜 Anxiety & Calm – whether it’s first-day-of-school nerves, exam stress, or general worries, reflexology can encourage a sense of relaxation and balance.
🌱 Developmental Support – as children grow, reflexology can be a gentle tool to support their physical and emotional wellbeing.
What the Research Says
Scientific studies are beginning to explore how reflexology can benefit children, with encouraging results:
A 2018 qualitative study on children with cerebral palsy found that after 24 reflexology sessions, caregivers reported improvements such as increased self-confidence, reduced spasticity, better walking ability, greater relaxation, improved communication, and even decreases in constipation (Özkan & Zincir, 2018).
In a 2021 clinical trial, reflexology was shown to significantly reduce pain and improve physiological indicators such as blood pressure and heart rate in children undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia (Ghaljaei & Jalalodini, 2021).
While reflexology is not a replacement for medical treatment, these findings suggest it can be a valuable complementary therapy to support children’s comfort and overall wellbeing.
What’s Different for Children?
Sessions for babies and children are shorter than for adults – often just a few minutes for infants, and around 20–30 minutes for older children. The pressure is lighter, making it comfortable and enjoyable. Many little ones love having their feet, hands, or even ears massaged – it feels like a safe and nurturing experience.
A Moment of Connection
For parents, watching their child relax into a reflexology treatment can be very reassuring. Some families even choose to learn simple techniques to use at home, turning reflexology into a bonding activity that supports both the child’s wellbeing and the parent-child connection.
Reflexology isn’t about diagnosing or curing conditions, but it can be a wonderful complementary support alongside everyday health and wellbeing routines. Whether your child is struggling with sleep, feeling anxious, or simply needs some comfort, reflexology may offer a gentle helping hand.
✨ In short: reflexology is absolutely suitable for children – and many babies and little people thrive on it.
