Reflexology and Stress: New Research Shows Promising Results

I’ve always believed in the profound ability of reflexology to reduce stress and support the body’s natural balance. For decades, practitioners and clients alike have shared countless stories of improved sleep, emotional release, and deep relaxation following treatment — but until recently, science hasn’t quite caught up with what we see and feel in the therapy room.

That’s why I’m so excited to share the results of a groundbreaking pilot study I’ve been part of, conducted in collaboration with the Association of Reflexologists and researchers from the University of Oxford and Cortigenix. This research explored how reflexology might influence biological markers of stress — and the findings are an exciting step forward in understanding how and why this therapy works.

Why Hair Cortisol Testing?

Traditionally, scientific studies measuring stress rely on blood or saliva samples. While useful, these only provide a snapshot of cortisol — the body’s primary stress hormone — at a single point in time.

This study took a different approach. Using hair cortisol testing, researchers could assess chronic stress levels over roughly three months. Because hair grows slowly, cortisol deposited in the hair shaft reflects long-term exposure, offering a far more accurate picture of how stress levels change over time.

Chronic elevation of cortisol is linked to many health issues, including cardiovascular disease, immune suppression, digestive problems, anxiety, depression, and even accelerated ageing. If reflexology can help regulate cortisol levels, it could have far-reaching health benefits beyond immediate relaxation.

The Study: Reflexology Meets Science

Twelve participants took part in the pilot study, each receiving six one-hour reflexology treatments over a three-month period. Alongside hair cortisol testing, participants also completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) — a validated measure of how stressed they felt — before and after their treatment course.

Most participants were women aged 51–60, and all reported high levels of stress at the start. Treatments were tailored to individual needs while following a consistent therapeutic protocol.

What We Found

The results were fascinating. Across the group, hair cortisol levels showed a modest decrease (not statistically significant, likely due to the small sample size), but perceived stress scores dropped significantly — from an average of 10.00 at baseline to just 3.82 after treatment.

This tells us something important: reflexology is having a real, measurable impact on how people experience stress, even if physiological changes take longer to show up or require a larger study to detect.

It’s possible that the body’s stress response involves multiple pathways — some psychological, some biological — and that reflexology influences both. It also highlights how subjective wellbeing improvements often come before measurable hormonal shifts.

A Real Client’s Story: A “Classic” Result

One of my own clients who took part in the study showed particularly striking results. Their cortisol levels dropped from 13.85 pg/mg (moderately high) before treatment to 4.43 pg/mg (optimal) afterwards.

Even more telling was their PSS-4 score, which fell from 10 to 2 — a dramatic improvement in how they perceived and coped with stress.

This is the kind of result we hope to see: not only a meaningful reduction in stress hormone levels but also a profound shift in how the body and mind feel after regular reflexology.

What These Findings Mean for Reflexology

This pilot study is an exciting first step. It shows that reflexology can bring about significant psychological benefits and hints at potential physiological effects, too. It also proves that hair cortisol testing is a feasible and valuable tool for future reflexology research.

Most importantly, it adds scientific weight to what reflexologists and clients have known all along — that this therapy supports the body’s natural balance and helps it respond more effectively to stress.

Larger studies are now needed to explore these effects in more depth, with bigger participant groups and longer follow-ups. But for now, this research represents a meaningful bridge between traditional wisdom and modern science — and I’m so proud to have been part of it.

Final Thoughts

Stress affects every system in the body, and finding safe, non-invasive ways to support our natural resilience is more important than ever. Reflexology is more than just a relaxing treatment — it’s a holistic therapy that may help restore balance on both a psychological and physiological level.

This study gives us hope that the science will soon reflect what so many of us have already experienced: reflexology really does make a difference.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to know how reflexology could help you

Tanya x

Hair cortisol testing