Plymstock Reflexology & Bowen

08/09/2026

🔬 REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH | 2025

A randomized clinical trial has explored the effects of foot reflexology on pain and anxiety in people with leukaemia undergoing bone marrow aspiration.

The study included 68 participants who completed the trial. Those in the reflexology group received one 30-minute foot reflexology session, while the control group received routine care.

What did the researchers find?

Following the intervention, people who received reflexology experienced significantly lower anxiety compared with those receiving routine care alone.

Importantly, pain experienced during and after the bone marrow aspiration procedure was also significantly lower in the reflexology group.

The researchers additionally monitored physiological measures including blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation. While some changes were observed, the clearest findings of the study were the reductions in pain and anxiety.

The authors concluded that foot reflexology may be a valuable non-invasive, supportive approach for helping manage procedural pain and anxiety in people undergoing bone marrow aspiration.

This is particularly interesting for the reflexology profession. Even a single 30-minute session was associated with measurable differences in this clinical setting, adding to the developing evidence around the potential role of reflexology within supportive and integrative healthcare.

While the findings are encouraging, this is one clinical trial in a specific patient population. Further high-quality research is needed to establish how broadly these findings can be applied.

As always, reflexology is a complementary therapy and does not replace appropriate medical treatment or cancer care.

📚 Research:
The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Pain and Anxiety in Patients with Leukaemia Undergoing Bone Marrow Aspiration: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

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02/09/2026

What a wonderful way to start the new academic year by sharing a new piece of research: a randomised controlled trial by Chen et al. (2025) exploring the effectiveness of Bowen Therapy for fibromyalgia.

The objective was to determine whether Bowen therapy can help alleviate pain, enhance functional capacity, reduce sleep and mood disturbances, and improve overall quality of life.

The study followed 78 participants split into two groups: one receiving eight sessions of Bowen therapy over 12 weeks alongside conventional care, and a control group continuing conventional care alone.

Positive Highlights & Percentage Changes
Lower Limb Endurance: An approximate 66.7% increase in successful stands from a baseline mean of 6 to 10 post-treatment, with benefits sustained for 12 weeks.

Dominant Arm Endurance: An approximate 54.5% increase in successful arm curls from a baseline mean of 11 to 17 post-treatment.

Non-Dominant Arm Endurance: An approximate 40.0% increase in successful curls from a baseline mean of 10 to 14 post-treatment.

Reduced Activity Interference: An approximate 17.5% reduction on the Brief Pain Inventory interference scale, dropping from a baseline mean of 5.7 to 4.7.

Mental Health-Related Quality of Life: An approximate 15.9% improvement in SF-36 Mental Component Summary scores, rising from a baseline mean of 33.3 to 38.6.

Safety: No serious adverse events or safety concerns were reported.

It is encouraging to see greater insight into how bodywork supports those navigating chronic conditions. We would love to hear from you if this was relevant for you.

To read the study in full, you can visit the research page on the BTPA website: https://www.bowentherapy.org.uk/evidence-for-bowen-therapy.php

01/09/2026

Did you know that Reflexology can help with neck and shoulder pain? Reflexology is an amazing therapy that can help with a lot of issues and is amazing for helping to reduce stress in the body which positively impacts us in lots of ways. If you would like to book a treatment click here : https://www.fresha.com/book-now/plymstock-reflexology-y3hibjej/all-offer?share=true&pId=201565

REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH FRIDAY! This week we are spotlighting a very recent single-blind randomized controlled trial study being published in Acta Psychologica's September 2026 edition. It looks into foot reflexology's short-term effects on pain, anxiety and physiological response levels in women dealing with shoulder and neck pain. It found that with just one session, the participants' pain, heart rate, anxiety and additional symptoms were reduced while their calmness and comfort emotions increased. Read the full study here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691826014149?via%3Dihub

Learn more about reflexology, the different Laura Norman Holistic Reflexology trainings, the course schedule and so much more at https://lauranorman.com. Our next free intro is happening on Zoom on September 1 at 8 p.m. ET. RSVP to ask your questions to Laura Norman herself about studying the modality, how it can help and more. Sign up at https://lauranorman.com/free-intro-class-signup. See you there!

01/09/2026

Happy September ❤️

31/08/2026

25/08/2026

Just a reminder that the best way of booking in with me is through my booking system: https://www.fresha.com/book-now/plymstock-reflexology-y3hibjej/all-offer?share=true&pId=201565
Its easy to use, sends a reminder on the day and you can change your slot if you need to.
Its never easy to get hold of me on the phone when Im with clients but Im always happy to call you to chat about your appointment if you message me.

Hi, My name is Claire and I am a Qualified Reflexologist and Bowen therapist offering Foot Reflexology, combined Foot & Face Reflexology and Bowen treatments

17/08/2026

🔬NEW REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH | 2026

A recent clinical trial explored the effects of foot reflexology on restless legs syndrome (RLS) and sleep quality in people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

The findings are encouraging, with participants experiencing improvements in restless legs symptoms and sleep quality following the reflexology intervention.

Research like this is important as we continue to build the evidence base around reflexology and its potential role as a complementary approach to supporting wellbeing and symptom management.

An interesting point from the authors: the study recommends that nurses receive reflexology training. This recommendation relates to the potential integration of reflexology into supportive nursing care. It should not be interpreted as suggesting that reflexology is exclusively a nursing intervention or should only be provided by nurses. Professionally trained reflexologists already practise reflexology as a dedicated complementary therapy.

📚 Research: 2026 clinical trial examining foot reflexology, restless legs syndrome and sleep quality in people with MS.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42466006/?utm_source

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17/08/2026

🔬 NEW REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH | 2026

New research published in Pain Management Nursing has explored the effect of foot reflexology on neuropathic pain in women with Type 2 diabetes.

The randomized controlled trial included 65 women with Type 2 diabetes and neuropathic pain. The intervention group received routine treatment alongside foot reflexology, while the control group received routine treatment alone.

Participants receiving reflexology completed 12 sessions over six weeks.

What did the researchers find?

After the six-week treatment period, the women who received reflexology reported significantly less nerve pain than those receiving routine care alone. The researchers measured pain in three different recognised ways, and all three showed improvement.

The researchers also reported reductions in neuropathic symptoms including burning, tingling, numbness and itching. No intervention-related adverse events were reported.

The authors concluded that foot reflexology may be a valuable complementary addition to routine care for neuropathic pain in people with diabetes.

Research such as this is an important contribution to the growing evidence base for reflexology profession.

📚 Research:
The Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on Neuropathic Pain in Women With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Neşe A, Akarsu E, Küçükkaya MS.
Pain Management Nursing, 2026; 27(3):322–330.

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17/08/2026

⚡️Marblers ⚡️

Remember to look after you !

And if you need a helping hand, reach out, you are not alone 💚

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