Irish Reflexologists' Institute

Irish Reflexologists' Institute The Irish Reflexologists' Institute is the membership institute of choice for Irish reflexologists. The office now operates with fluid opening hours.

The Irish Reflexologists' Institute (IRI) is a self regulating members representative body established in 1985 to represent and promote Reflexology in Ireland. A Voluntary Board of Directors made up from the membership of practicing Reflexologists are elected by the members each year at the AGM. All members are welcome and encouraged to give their time to assist the work of the IRI. The office is

currently located in Sligo and is supported by secretarial services and business and IT consultants. Enquiries should preferably be directed by email to administrator@reflexology.ie or a message can be left on the IRI phone 085 2153475. The IRIL offers annual membership to all qualified Reflexologists at home and abroad in addition to offering student membership for those training to be a reflexologist. The application is now available online. Please see www.reflexology.ie for further details on the current membership requirements. The membership options are Full / Associate / Student memberships. The IRI are proud of the high standard maintained by its members which ensures and safeguards the quality of treatments being provided to the public. We ensure that all our members carry Professional Indemnity Insurance and are trained in First Aid. In addition we ensure our members update and refresh their skill set annually by completing 100 Continuous Professional Development points in each calendar year. The IRI have negotiated a refund system with all major Private Health Care providers including VHI, Laya, and Irish Life. Depending on their policy and level of cover, members of the public with private health care policies can claim a refund when they receive a Reflexology Treatment after submitting a receipt provided by one of our current members. Only fully paid up current members of the IRI are eligible to participate in this refund system. Please see our website www.reflexology.ie for a comprehensive list of Reflexologists who wish to be promoted through our website as providing Reflexology treatments.

You get so used to the pace of everything that you stop questioning it.Always on the go, always thinking about the next ...
24/04/2026

You get so used to the pace of everything that you stop questioning it.
Always on the go, always thinking about the next thing… just getting through it.

And then you lie down for reflexology and realise - oh.
I haven’t actually stopped in a while.

It’s not dramatic or life-changing in a big flashy way.
It’s just a quiet pause. A bit of space. A chance for your body to catch up.

You’re not lacking discipline.You’re lacking space.There’s a difference. 💜
23/04/2026

You’re not lacking discipline.
You’re lacking space.

There’s a difference. 💜

Work stress isn’t just about a busy inbox or long hours. It can impact sleep, mood, performance, and overall health.So w...
22/04/2026

Work stress isn’t just about a busy inbox or long hours. It can impact sleep, mood, performance, and overall health.

So what actually helps?

One study exploring reflexology in a workplace setting found:
✔️ 96% of participants showed improvement after reflexology was applied
✔️ Over half experienced a complete disappearance of stress symptoms after a course of sessions
✔️ Stress levels decreased significantly in those at high risk of work-related stress

And this isn’t an isolated finding…
Other research has also shown that reflexology can reduce work stress and anxiety levels, particularly in high-pressure roles like healthcare management

But here’s the important nuance:
👉 The effects can be temporary if sessions aren’t continued
👉 Regular treatments may be needed to maintain the benefits over time

So what does this tell us?
Reflexology isn’t just a one-off reset. It can be a consistent tool for managing stress, especially when built into a regular routine.

Because when stress is constant…
your support systems should be too.

📚 Source: Foot Reflexology for the Management of Work Stress (2024) González Méndez et al.



Keywords: reflexology, work stress, stress management, workplace stress, holistic health, complementary therapy, stress relief techniques, burnout support, nervous system support, relaxation therapy, foot reflexology, wellbeing at work, occupational stress, natural stress relief, mind body connection

Pregnancy asks a lot of the body - physically, hormonally, and emotionally. And while no single therapy is a magic fix, ...
21/04/2026

Pregnancy asks a lot of the body - physically, hormonally, and emotionally. And while no single therapy is a magic fix, reflexology is increasingly explored as a gentle, supportive option during this time.

Research suggests that reflexology may help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and support overall wellbeing during pregnancy. Some studies have also observed improvements in sleep quality and reductions in perceived discomfort, particularly in areas like lower back tension, swelling in the legs, and general fatigue.

What’s important to understand is how it works in this context:
Reflexology doesn’t “treat” pregnancy symptoms directly. Instead, it focuses on stimulating specific reflex points on the feet that correspond with different systems of the body, encouraging balance, circulation, and relaxation.

And during pregnancy, that matters more than ever.
The nervous system is already under pressure, sleep can be disrupted, and the body is constantly adapting. Creating space for deep rest is one of the most impactful forms of supportive care.



Keywords: pregnancy reflexology, reflexology during pregnancy, maternal wellbeing, prenatal relaxation, stress reduction pregnancy, sleep support pregnancy, swelling relief pregnancy, holistic pregnancy care, complementary therapy pregnancy, reflexology research pregnancy

National Feet Week tends to come and go without much thought. Which is kind of the point.We rely on our feet constantly,...
20/04/2026

National Feet Week tends to come and go without much thought. Which is kind of the point.

We rely on our feet constantly, but rarely give them any attention unless something goes wrong.

Reflexology offers a simple way to pause, reset, and support the body through the feet - using targeted pressure techniques that correspond with different systems.

If you’ve never tried it before, this week might be a good time to start. 👣❤️

There’s a strange guilt around rest these days.Like if you’re not doing something, you should be.But your body doesn’t w...
17/04/2026

There’s a strange guilt around rest these days.
Like if you’re not doing something, you should be.

But your body doesn’t work like that.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is actually stop.
Not scroll. Not half-switch off. Properly stop.

Reflexology gives your system a chance to catch up - to settle, reset, and just breathe for a bit.

And weirdly… everything feels a bit easier after.

This isn’t a pamper treatment.It just happens to feel like one. 👣💜
16/04/2026

This isn’t a pamper treatment.
It just happens to feel like one.

👣💜

Good sleep doesn’t just happen at night. It starts with how the body winds down.When the nervous system stays in a heigh...
15/04/2026

Good sleep doesn’t just happen at night. It starts with how the body winds down.

When the nervous system stays in a heightened state, it can be difficult to switch off, even when you’re physically tired. Thoughts keep going, the body feels restless, and sleep can become inconsistent or broken.

Reflexology is a complementary therapy that supports the body’s natural transition into rest. By encouraging relaxation and helping to regulate the nervous system, reflexology may support the body’s ability to recognise and respond to sleep cues more effectively.

Over time, this can help support more consistent sleep patterns, improved rest readiness, and a greater sense of calm in the lead-up to bedtime. Many people also find that regular sessions help them become more aware of their body’s signals - recognising when they need to slow down, rather than pushing through fatigue.

Reflexology does not replace medical care, but it can be a helpful part of a wider approach to improving sleep routines, particularly for those who struggle to fully switch off at the end of the day.



Keywords: sleep routine, better sleep habits, how to improve sleep, sleep support, trouble sleeping, restless sleep, evening routine, bedtime routine, nervous system regulation, relaxation before bed, difficulty switching off, mental restlessness, sleep patterns, natural sleep support, holistic sleep support, reflexology for sleep, complementary therapy, mind body connection

We’re very good at ignoring the early signs.A headache gets brushed off.Poor sleep becomes “just one of those things.”Th...
14/04/2026

We’re very good at ignoring the early signs.

A headache gets brushed off.
Poor sleep becomes “just one of those things.”
That constant tiredness? Normalised.

But your body doesn’t send signals for no reason.

Stress isn’t just something you feel mentally. It shows up physically. When your nervous system is under constant pressure, your body can stay in a heightened state for longer than it’s designed to. Over time, that can affect sleep, energy levels, muscle tension, and even how well your body regulates things like blood pressure and digestion.

Reflexology works by applying targeted pressure to specific points on the feet that correspond with different systems in the body. This can help support the parasympathetic nervous system - the part responsible for rest, repair, and recovery - encouraging the body to shift out of that constant “on” mode.

It’s not about fixing everything in one session.
It’s about giving your body the space to reset, regulate, and be heard.

Sometimes the goal isn’t to push through.
It’s to finally listen.

Find an IRI-affiliated reflexologist near you by visiting www.reflexology.ie, and give your body the rest and reset it's been crying out for. 👣✨



Keywords: reflexology benefits, stress and the body, nervous system regulation, parasympathetic response, holistic therapy ireland, natural stress relief, reflexology for sleep, reflexology for anxiety, mind body connection, complementary therapies ireland, relaxation therapy, foot reflexology benefits, managing stress naturally, wellness ireland, body stress signals

Some events feel a bit special… this is one of them.We’re delighted to welcome internationally recognised reflexology pi...
13/04/2026

Some events feel a bit special… this is one of them.

We’re delighted to welcome internationally recognised reflexology pioneers Barbara Kunz and Kevin Kunz for an exclusive Zoom CPD this May.

With over 50 years of work in reflexology, their contribution to the field is extraordinary - from authoring globally published texts to leading cutting-edge research exploring the connection between the foot and the brain.

On the night, they’ll be sharing:
• the latest developments in reflexology research
• insights into their current Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology project
• a preview of their upcoming presentation to thousands of neuroscientists
• and the evolving collaboration with two universities in this space

Barbara will be co-presenting, making this a rare opportunity to hear directly from both of them.

🗓️ 5th May
⏰ 8–9pm GMT
💻 Live on Zoom

If you’re a reflexologist who wants to stay informed, inspired, and connected to where the profession is going, this is not one to miss.

🎟️ Tickets available now at www.reflexology.ie

We often think of blood pressure support in terms of medication, diet, and exercise, and rightly so. But this study look...
13/04/2026

We often think of blood pressure support in terms of medication, diet, and exercise, and rightly so. But this study looked at something a little different: foot reflexology as an add-on.

In a randomized clinical trial led by Kotruchin et al., adults with stage 2 hypertension received a short, targeted reflexology treatment alongside their usual care.

What they found?
👉 A measurable reduction in blood pressure
👉 A decrease in heart rate
👉 Effects seen within just 30 minutes

This wasn’t a replacement for medical treatment, but it does point to reflexology as a useful complementary approach in managing hypertension.

It’s a reminder that small, non-invasive interventions can still have meaningful physiological effects.

📚 Source:
“The effects of foot reflexology on blood pressure and heart rate: A randomized clinical trial in stage 2 hypertensive patients” (Kotruchin et al.)

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C/o Woods & Partners Ltd, The Taney Buildings, 3 Eglinton Terrace, Dundrum, Dublin 14, D14 T9V0
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D14T9V0

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