What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is an integrative health practice that maps a reflection of the body, predominantly on the feet, hands, and head. It uses unique manual techniques to deliver pressure to neural pathways, assisting the body to function optimally.
Reflexology is applied to a fully clothed person — only the shoes and socks are removed. The practitioner uses specific finger, thumb, and hand techniques to stimulate reflex points on the feet, hands, and ears, which correspond to organs and systems throughout the body.
What is a Reflexologist?
A Reflexologist is a person who uses special pressure techniques on the reflexes of the feet, hands, and ears — someone who has studied the principles of Reflexology, anatomy, and physiology and has received a minimum 110-hour training certificate or diploma of education in Reflexology, or certification through a national, independent non-profit Reflexology certification board.
Scope of Practice
Specific techniques and areas of application define the unique quality of Reflexology as opposed to any other practice. The traditional practice of Reflexology primarily focuses on the theory of reflex maps and their representation on the feet, hands, and ears. Reflexology as a manual practice consists of working with specific finger, thumb, and hand techniques in order to stimulate reflex points on the feet, hands, and ears.
What Reflexology IS
- Specific pressure to reflex points on feet, hands, ears
- Applied to a fully clothed person
- A distinct, specialized modality
- Grounded in zone therapy and reflex mapping theory
- A complementary health practice
What Reflexology Is NOT
- A replacement for medical treatment
- The same as foot massage or spa footwork
- Covered under Arizona Massage Therapy Law
- A diagnostic or therapeutic medical procedure
- Invasive or skin-penetrating
Arizona Legislation
✅ Reflexology is Exempt from the Arizona Massage Therapy Law
Reflexology is exempt through scope of practice from the 2004 Arizona Massage Therapy Law SB 1103, Chapter 42, Massage Therapy, Article I, General Provisions, 32-4201, Definitions, paragraph 5a:
"The manual application of compression, stretch, vibration or mobilization of the organs and tissues beneath the dermis, including the components of the musculoskeletal system, peripheral vessels of the circulatory system and fascia, when applied primarily to parts of the body other than the hands, feet, and head."
Because reflexology works exclusively on the hands, feet, and head/ears, it falls outside this definition and is a self-governed profession in Arizona.
View Arizona Statute ↗History of Reflexology
Many forms of footwork have been known and used throughout human history — in Egypt, India, China, Japan, the European countries, and the North and South Americas. Here is the timeline of reflexology's development into the modern practice:
Global Roots
Foot therapy practices were found across Egypt, India, China, Japan, and throughout the Americas — each culture developing their own understanding of the foot-body connection.
Dr. William FitzGerald — Zone Therapy
An American medical doctor, FitzGerald began introducing "Zone Therapy" to the Western world. He noted that reflex areas on the feet and hands were linked to other areas and organs within the same longitudinal zone — and that zone therapy brought pain relief to patients.
Dr. Joe Shelby Riley — Horizontal Lines & Ears
A student of FitzGerald's, Riley added eight horizontal lines to the zone system, made the first detailed drawings of reflex points on the feet and hands, and was the first to add the ears. He published the first book on Zone Therapy in 1919 — four books and twelve editions total.
Eunice D. Ingham — The Mother of Reflexology
A physiotherapist in Riley's office, Ingham further developed zone theory and renamed it "Reflexology." She observed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrors the corresponding body part, creating detailed "reflex maps." She discovered that alternating pressure was more effective than continuous pressure, creating the "thumb walk" technique.
Ingham's First Book — "Stories the Feet Can Tell"
Eunice published her landmark first book and began a 40-year lecturing and teaching career across the US and Europe. Her work and legacy continues through the Original Ingham Method™ by her nephew, Dwight Byers of the International Institute of Reflexology.
"Stories the Feet Have Told"
"Zone Therapy" and "Gland Reflexes" was published. The two books were later combined and renamed "Stories the Feet Can Tell" and "Stories the Feet Have Told" — still available today.
A Global, Evidence-Informed Profession
Reflexology is practiced worldwide with national certification boards, formal training programs, and growing research interest. AZRA represents Arizona's professional reflexology community within this global movement.
To learn more about reflexology's history: "Reflexology: Art, Science & History and Eunice Ingham — A Biography" by Christine Issel.
ARCB Foot Reflexology Zone Map