3R Reflexology

02/13/2026

02/11/2026

Find a trusted AoR reflexologist near you in just a click https://www.aor.org.uk/custom/far-search/

02/10/2026

02/09/2026

So many different people can benefit from reflexology 🌿

If any of these sound like you - or someone you care about - this could be a gentle reminder that support doesn’t have to be complicated.

Save this post for later or share it with someone who might need a moment of calm. 💜







💜 The Irish Reflexologists’ Institute (IRI) is the professional body for reflexology in Ireland, supporting reflexologists through education, professional standards, continued learning, and a connected practitioner community. 💜

01/17/2026

Why some areas on the feet feel tender or painful during Reflexology

A question I’m often asked is:
“Why does that spot on my foot feel tender?”

Tenderness in certain areas of the feet is very common, and it’s not something to worry about.

The feet reflect the whole body.
When an area is sensitive, it can indicate that the corresponding part of the body/mind or nervous system has been under pressure, overworked, stressed or adapting to how a part of the body/mind change.

Tenderness can be linked to:
🔆 tension or stress held in the nervous system
🔆 areas that have been compensating or overworking
🔆 emotional or mental issues
🔆 reduced circulation or mobility in that area

As reflexology continues, these tender spots often soften.
This is a beautiful sign that the body is responding, rebalancing and letting go.

Your body speaks through your feet, hands, face and ears not to alarm you, but to guide you.
Reflexology simply listens and supports that conversation.

Gentle awareness creates change.
And your body always knows the way back to balance 💚

12/17/2025

Hormones don’t work in isolation. They’re part of a finely balanced system that’s deeply influenced by stress, sleep, and the nervous system.

Reflexology works holistically, supporting the endocrine system while also helping to calm the nervous system. When stress hormones such as cortisol are persistently elevated, they can disrupt other hormonal processes, including menstrual cycles, energy levels, sleep, and mood.

By encouraging deep relaxation and supporting the body’s natural self-regulation, reflexology may help create the conditions needed for hormonal balance. Whether that’s during the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, menopause, or times of prolonged stress.

Reflexology does not “force” change. Instead, it works gently with the body, supporting balance, awareness, and resilience over time.

12/16/2025

Winter can challenge your immune system, mood and energy. Cold weather, shorter days and higher stress levels often lead to stiff joints, poor sleep, low mood and reduced circulation.

Reflexology offers a gentle, holistic way to support your body through the winter months by encouraging balance across multiple systems.

How reflexology can support winter wellbeing:

• Relaxation & stress regulation
Reflexology helps activate the body’s “rest and digest” response. Research shows this supports deep relaxation and lower stress levels - an important foundation for winter health.

• Improved sleep quality
Studies suggest reflexology can improve sleep and reduce anxiety. Better sleep supports immunity, mood and energy when your body needs it most.

• Immune system resilience
By working reflex areas linked to the lymphatic system, reflexology may support overall resilience by helping the body manage stress - a key factor in immune health.

• Respiratory & sinus comfort
Reflex areas associated with the lungs, chest and sinuses are often used to ease tension and support comfort during seasonal congestion.

• Circulation & winter aches
Cold weather can slow circulation and increase stiffness. Research shows reflexology can help improve blood flow and reduce perceived pain and muscular tension.

• Mood & energy support
Shorter days can affect mood and motivation. Studies suggest reflexology may reduce fatigue and support emotional wellbeing through the darker months.

Regular reflexology isn’t just about feeling better when you’re unwell. It’s a form of preventative self-care that helps you stay balanced and supported all winter.

Reflexology is a safe, low-risk complementary therapy and does not replace medical care. Always consult your GP if symptoms persist.

Your health is worth warming up for this winter. 👣❄️

11/21/2025

11/18/2025

Reflexology is much more than some people think it is. It’s calmer shoulders, deeper breaths, and your nervous system going, “Ahhhhhh, finally.” 💆🙌💜

   

11/17/2025

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. 😴

11/16/2025

Ear Reflexology / Auricular Therapy, Subtle and Powerful

The ears have a complete reflexion of the body, offering access to every system in a surprisingly gentle way.

Ear Reflexology can help ease pain, calm the mind, and restore clarity. It is especially helpful when the feet are injured and for people who are sensitive to have their feet touched, yet the effects ripple throughout the entire body.

I love how something so subtle can create such profound stillness. It is a reminder that the smallest gestures can bring the deepest peace.

Through the ears, we reach all body systems and the nervous system directly, supporting calm, emotional balance, and inner strength.

11/15/2025