18/05/2025
Estudio realizado en España por Maria Jimenez Herrera y colegas: " Explorando el Cuerpo a través de la Reflexología: Comportamientos físicos observados durante la aplicación”
The study titled “Exploring the Body Through Reflexology: Physical Behaviors Observed During Application” by Maria Jimenez Herrera and colleagues, published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice in 2016, investigates the physical responses elicited during reflexology sessions. 
Study Overview
• Objective: To identify and categorize physical behaviors occurring during reflexology that are not well-documented in existing literature.
• Methodology: A descriptive observational study involving 111 clients at a therapy center in Tarragona, Spain. Participants were grouped based on their primary concerns: musculoskeletal issues, stress, anxiety, or maintenance. 
• Findings: The study identified four categories of physical behaviors during reflexology sessions, previously unreported in scientific literature. These behaviors include:
• Eye Movements: Involuntary movements resembling those seen during certain sleep stages.
• Spontaneous Movements: Uncontrolled physical responses such as muscle twitches or limb movements.
• Emotional Releases: Manifestations like yawning, crying, or laughing.
• Physiological Responses: Reactions such as sweating or changes in breathing patterns.  
• Interpretation: These behaviors may be linked to the body’s self-regulatory mechanisms and could correspond to various stages of sleep, particularly the N1 and N2 stages of non-REM sleep. 
Implications
The study suggests that reflexology may induce a state of deep relaxation, triggering physical responses akin to those experienced during sleep. This highlights the potential of reflexology as a complementary therapy for stress reduction and sleep-related issues.
For a more detailed understanding, you can access the full study here: Exploring the Body Through Reflexology.
