Jane Knight Reflexologist

03/01/2026

A really lovely review from a regular client .
Thank you Carole it means so much to have feedback and so happy to be able to help 😊

17/11/2025

It’s not unusual to feel sleepy, heavy, or even emotionally drained after a reflexology session, and it’s actually a good sign that your body is responding.

Reflexology activates the parasympathetic nervous system - the “rest and digest” branch responsible for slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and triggering recovery processes. When the body shifts out of a chronic stress state (sympathetic dominance), it finally has permission to relax, repair, and rebalance.

That deep relaxation can sometimes feel like fatigue, especially if your system has been running on adrenaline or stress hormones for a long time. The tiredness isn’t a side effect. It’s a signal that your body is resetting its internal balance.

📚 Research supports this response:

Studies, including McVicar et al. (Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2007), show measurable reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety levels following reflexology - clear indicators of parasympathetic activation.

A 2011 pilot study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that reflexology sessions produced significant decreases in salivary cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone), reinforcing the link between reflexology and stress reduction.

Improvements in sleep quality and relaxation have been documented across multiple clinical settings, from cancer care to maternity wards, all pointing to the same physiological mechanism of rest and regulation.

💧 How to support your body afterward:

Drink water to help the body process metabolic by-products released during deep relaxation.

Avoid caffeine or alcohol immediately after your session to prolong the calm.

Rest if you can, even a short nap or quiet time helps integrate the benefits.

Feeling tired after reflexology is simply your body exhaling and catching up on the rest it’s been asking for. 😴

12/11/2025

28/09/2025

Reflexology is for everyone from pure relaxation to help with health issues .
Regular sessions allow the body to reach homeostasis .
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25/09/2025

It's World Reflexology Week! 😍

📖 Reflexology is rooted in ancient traditions, with origins tracing back to Egypt, China and India. The practice is based on the principle that specific points on the feet, hands and ears correspond to different organs and systems within the body. By applying focused pressure to these areas, Reflexologists aim to trigger the body’s natural healing processes and restore internal balance.

The Benefits of Reflexology

✨May Help with Stress Relief: Reflexology is championed for its ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation. The gentle pressure applied during a session may help calm the nervous system, allowing the body to release tension and anxiety.

✨May Improve Circulation: Reflexology is said to enhance blood circulation, which is crucial for delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells.

✨May Promote Pain Relief: Many people turn to Reflexology to alleviate chronic pain conditions, such as migraines, back pain and arthritis. By targeting specific reflex points, Reflexologists can help reduce pain and discomfort.

✨May Enhance Wellbeing: Regular Reflexology sessions may lead to a sense of overall wellbeing. Clients often report improved sleep, increased energy levels and a greater sense of balance in their lives.

https://ow.ly/nbYJ50X0ktk

Check out our Blog for downloadable assets. Let’s celebrate a week dedicated to healing, relaxation, and balance. Happy World Reflexology Week! 🥳

10/08/2025

Early Sunday morning Myofascial cupping and Reflexology session for a European International hockey game today in Nottingham.
Good luck team Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Cupping and Reflexology work together to improve range of motion , reduce inflammation, improve circulation, remove toxins , increase lymphatic drainage and decrease pain .

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01/05/2025

Post Marathon recovery therapy is just as important as the therapy it takes to keep the body working at its max to compete.

Well done 👏 to for finishing his 2nd London Marathon and achieving a PB 🏅

30/04/2025

A new piece of research indicates that reflexology is beneficial for pain following total knee replacement surgery (TKR).
TKR can be an extremely painful experience post surgery and high doses of pain relieving medication is usually given to control it.
In this study there were 50 patients in each group - reflexology vs control. Both groups were administered pain relieving medications, although the intake of those meds were not directly measured for the individuals during the experimental procedure.

Rather interestingly the researchers suggests that, the right foot decreases activation of the sympathetic nervous system whilst the left foot activates the parasympathetic nervous system, thus affecting the patient's pain and anxiety levels. An interesting suggestion, but do remember that we have no evidence to that effect in the research literature.
As a result of their assumption, they provided 20 minutes of reflexology to the right foot and 10 minutes to the left foot. Five minutes was dedicated to massage of the foot, pre and post reflexology, whilst the remaining time was given to stimulating the reflex points related to pain and anxiety.

Let's take a closer look.
a). there is no evidence that the left/right feet differ in terms of sympathetic/parasympathetic activity.
b). the researcher suggests there are points for pain and anxiety, but again, there is no evidence of specific points in the literature and we should bear in mind that we are all different in terms of our perception of pain, which is a very subjective experience.
c). it would be helpful for any ongoing research and replication, if the researchers had indicated where on the feet they applied the reflexology stimulus.
d). the natural course of events suggests that the farther away from a surgical procedure one is, the more likely it is that pain will decrease and mobility will increase.
e). there may be non-specific effects from the additional care and concern provided by the attending reflexologist/nursing staff which may have had an impact on improving anxiety levels.

Overall this is an interesting piece of research that suggests a beneficial effect on pain, but more importantly on mobility. Early mobilisation following TKR is important for the greater long term benefit of the patient.

Dr Jackie James recently completed her DProf on reporting research in reflexology which adds more structure. Without knowing the protocol involved, the points reflected through the feet, we cannot replicate this research or progress it further.

So, as a researcher and a patient who has experienced a TKR, I would suggest you err on the side of caution.

We are a long way from agreeing on what impacts pain in reflexology. We know we can alleviate that pain in 'some' individuals and that ongoing support with reflexology will bring about changes in the nervous system, but pain is very much a personal experience and we would do well to remember, there is 'no one size fits all approach'.

A good paper, with some good evidence, but not necessarily strong evidence.
https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4324912

25/04/2025

A clients comment following a Reflexology and Reiki session .
She was floating on air and totally relaxed when she left .
A fantastic combination to rebalance the mind and body .
🌱Reflexology
🌱Reiki

15/04/2025

LOW BACK PAIN
As this is a condition commonly encountered by reflexology practitioners, it would be helpful to provide a condensed overview of facts regarding the treatment of low back pain (LBP) that I have gathered over my many years in practice.
* Low back pain impacts various areas of the body beyond the lower back.

* Unless a direct injury to the lower back is the cause, concentrating only on the relative lumbar reflexes typically holds little value.

* Due to the influence of the fascia, a low back condition can impact other areas, such as the shoulders, upper back, and neck. All of these areas should be considered and receive reflexology accordingly.

* A deep and thorough massage of the feet, ankles, calves, and toes will alleviate some discomfort and can often effectively resolve the condition.
The primary cause of lower back pain (LBP) originates in the hips and pelvis, putting stress on the lower back, which results in secondary symptoms in that area.
* For those not qualified in massage, a general reflexology treatment can be of benefit.
LBP must be considered a condition affecting many other areas of the body.

Therefore, Treat what you find and not what you are looking for.

I shall cover this subject again in a future webinar, so follow for news.

My Best Wishes

Tony Porter

www.artreflex.com

12/03/2025

Level 5 Reflexology Training across the UK. Welcome to the Integrated Reflexology Consortium (IRC).

12/03/2025

We offer Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Medical Herbal Medicine, Nutritional Therapy, Reflexology, Shiatsu, CBT Hypnotherapy, Counselling, Psychotherapy, Reiki, Manual Lymphatic Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, and Holistic Facials.