The modern development of reflexology commenced around 1910, and yet, research studies evaluating this phenomenon were not conducted for many years. In fact, very little research was conducted prior to 1977.

Research requires expertise for its design, conduction and interpretation. Research that is not well designed, correctly conducted and interpreted intelligently is not taken seriously or respected by other professionals, academics and the scientific community.

Finding persons who have this expertise and who would be willing to apply this expertise to the unorthodox phenomenon of reflexology is not easy. Similarly, well designed, correctly conducted research is expensive. For these reasons, even today in many countries, conducting research to evaluate reflexology is a steep uphill challenge.

With the establishment of the International Council of Reflexologists it has become a lot easier to obtain information about activities of reflexologists in other parts of the world. Networking has been greatly enhanced, and, it has become apparent that each nation has had its own peculiar pattern of development for the practice of reflexology.

In a few countries, reflexology has been recognized by the national government and either has already been integrated into the national health care system, or, is in the process of being integrated.

These countries are China, Denmark and, most recently, the United Kingdom. As a consequence, reflexology is used in these countries alongside Allopathic Medicine, and in China it is used together with Traditional Chinese Medicine as well.

You will notice that the vast majority of research studies on reflexology originate in these countries.

This information is provided for your research purposes only and is not intended to present reflexology as a substitute for medical treatment.