Penny's Reflexology

Reflexology can help in stroke recovery.
Brain Scan Research Confirms Reflexology Affects Multiple Areas of the Brain

Dr. Stefan Posse, a researcher at the University of New Mexico, presented groundbreaking functional MRI (fMRI) findings on the “Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology” at the International Society for Medical Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) Annual Meeting in Cape Town on May 12, 2026.

The research maps brain activity during foot reflexology to understand what happens in the brain in real time while reflexology was being applied and neurological impact in patients with stroke. Advanced MRI technology was used.

What They Found in Healthy People

Scans revealed distinctly different activation patterns for different reflex areas. Importantly, the brain responses weren’t limited to just the foot area of the brain — multiple regions were activated. One area that consistently responded was the supramarginal gyrus, a part of the brain packed with “mirror neurons,” which are linked to empathy, learning, and body awareness.

For the first time showed reflexology technique applied to different reflexology reflex areas activates different areas and networks of the brain in healthy controls and stroke patients.

What They Found in Stroke Patients

In people who had suffered a stroke, the brain activation looked different — more one-sided — and varied depending on whether the left or right foot was worked. Following the application of reflex stimuli, patients demonstrated increased two-point discrimination and improved sensorimotor function in their hemiplegic hands.

Who Is Behind the Research

The team is led by Dr. Posse and includes well-known reflexology educators Barbara and Kevin Kunz, graduate student Arthur Schoen, and researchers from the University of Minnesota.

What Comes Next

The team is now expanding the study to better understand the timing of brain responses during reflexology and to identify exactly which brain networks are involved in stro

Reflexology can help ease the symptoms of Lyme disease and can help speed recovery. To book in please message or call 07787787843

Reflexology is a complementary therapy used to help manage the secondary symptoms of Lyme disease, such as chronic pain, fatigue, and stress. It should not replace primary medical care (such as antibiotics) but can serve as a supportive mind-body intervention.

Did you know that reflexology can help ease the symptoms of hay-fever? Message or call me on 07787787843 to book in now. 😊

Reflexology is a safe, complementary therapy that can help ease hay fever symptoms (allergic rhinitis) and support your immune system—it does not replace medication, but works well alongside it.



✅ How it helps

- Reduces inflammation, sneezing, runny/blocked nose, itchy eyes, sinus pressure
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- Supports the immune system to calm overreaction to pollen
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- Improves circulation and reduces fatigue from poor sleep
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- No side effects like drowsiness (common with antihistamines)

Reflexology can help aid and support you through the grief process. Please call or message Penny on 07787 787843 to book in.

Reflexology can help speed up recovery from viral infections. To book in, please message me or call 07787 787843 (please leave a message if there's no answer as I may be in a treatment 🙂).

Reflexology is a non-invasive, complementary therapy that can be particularly effective for managing the lingering symptoms of Post-Viral Syndrome (PVS), such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Long COVID. By stimulating specific reflex points on the feet, hands, or ears, reflexology aims to restore the body’s natural balance (homeostasis) and support the immune and nervous systems.

The primary benefits of reflexology for post-viral recovery include:

1. Reduces Fatigue and Boosts Energy

Post-viral fatigue is often persistent and not relieved by rest. Reflexology helps by:

- Improving Circulation: Enhanced blood flow delivers more oxygen and vital nutrients to cells, helping to reduce feelings of "brain fog" and physical sluggishness.
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- Supporting the Endocrine System: Stimulating reflexes for the adrenal and thyroid glands can help regulate energy levels and combat hormonal imbalances caused by prolonged illness.

2. Calms the Nervous System

Chronic illness often keeps the body in a state of "fight or flight." Reflexology activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which:

- Promotes deep relaxation.
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- Lowers cortisol levels (the stress hormone).
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- Helps alleviate the anxiety and depression often associated with long-term recovery.

3. Enhances Sleep Quality

Quality sleep is essential for the body to repair itself. By balancing the nervous system and reducing physical tension, reflexology can help users fall asleep faster and achieve deeper, more restorative sleep cycles.

4. Supports Immune and Lymphatic Function

A post-viral body may still be dealing with residual inflammation or "toxic overload." Reflexology supports recovery by:

- Stimulating Lymphatic Drainage: This helps the body flush out metabolic waste and toxins more efficiently.

Did you know reflexology is very beneficial for people with restless leg syndrome. To book in please message or call me on 07787 787843 (please leave a message as I may be in a treatment).

Reflexology is a popular complementary therapy for managing Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). While it is not a cure, several clinical studies suggest it can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms and improve sleep quality.

How Reflexology Helps RLS

Reflexology involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears that correspond to different body systems. For RLS, it works through several mechanisms:

- Improved Circulation: Stimulating reflex points helps increase blood flow to the lower extremities, which may alleviate the "creeping" or "tingling" sensations.
- Nervous System Regulation: The therapy encourages a shift from the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) to the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system, reducing the neurological urge to move.
- Muscle Relaxation: It helps release physical tension in the calves and thighs, which often exacerbates RLS symptoms at night.
- Sleep Quality: By reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) and promoting relaxation, reflexology helps patients fall asleep faster and reduces nighttime awakenings.

Scientific Evidence

Research published in journals like the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork has shown that:

- In patients undergoing hemodialysis (who frequently suffer from severe RLS), foot reflexology was more effective than standard Swedish massage in reducing symptom severity.
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- Regular sessions (typically 30–40 minutes, 2–3 times a week) have been shown to produce measurable improvements within a month.

Reflexology can help people with dementia in many ways. To book in please message or call 07787 787843 (please leave a message if there's no answer).
Reflexology offers a non-invasive, calming, and holistic approach to managing dementia symptoms, reducing anxiety, agitation, and pain in both patients and caregivers. By using gentle pressure on the feet or hands, it can create a safe, reassuring experience that improves mood, helps manage daily care activities, and fosters meaningful connection.

Hypno reflexology can help ease many ailments providing long term solutions to many chronic conditions. To book in please message or call me on 07787 787843 (please bear in mind I might be in a treatment and can't answer immediately, so leave a voicemail or text) 😊

Hypno-Reflex (or Hypno-Reflexology) is a holistic therapy that combines Reflexology—the application of pressure to specific points on the feet or hands—with the subconscious suggestions and relaxation techniques of Hypnotherapy.

By integrating these two modalities, the treatment aims to address both physical symptoms and the mental-emotional patterns behind them. Here are the primary benefits:

- Enhanced Relaxation: Combining physical touch with hypnotic induction creates a state of "super-relaxation," which can lower cortisol levels more effectively than either therapy alone.
- Deepened Pain Management: While reflexology works on physical tension and nerve pathways, hypnotherapy helps the brain reframe its perception of chronic pain or discomfort.
- Stress and Anxiety Reduction: The therapy targets the nervous system to move from "fight or flight" (sympathetic) to "rest and digest" (parasympathetic), helping to calm the mind and body simultaneously.
- Improved Sleep Quality: By addressing the mental chatter of insomnia through hypnosis and the physical tension through reflexology, many clients report deeper, more restorative sleep.
- Holistic Emotional Release: Reflexology is often used to clear energetic blockages, while hypnotherapy allows the client to process and let go of the emotional triggers associated with those blockages.
- Enhanced Mind-Body Connection: It helps individuals become more aware of how their mental state affects their physical health, promoting long-term self-healing habits.

Reflexology can help ease the symptoms of IBS. Book in for a treatment and give it a try. Message me or call on 07787 787843 (please bear in mind that I may be in a treatment and won't be able to answer so please leave a message). 😊
The potential benefits of reflexology for IBS include:

- Stress Reduction: Stress is a major trigger for IBS flare-ups. Reflexology stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (the "rest and digest" state), which helps lower cortisol levels and calm the gut-brain axis.
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- Improved Digestion: Practitioners target reflex points linked to the stomach, small intestine, and colon. This stimulation is believed to encourage better circulation and nerve supply to the digestive tract, potentially easing cramping and bloating.
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- Relief from Constipation: Some studies suggests that reflexology can help improve bowel movement frequency and stool consistency by stimulating the peristaltic action (the wave-like muscle contractions) of the colon.
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- Pain Management: By encouraging deep relaxation and the release of endorphins, reflexology may help reduce the perception of abdominal pain and discomfort common in IBS sufferers.
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- General Well-being: Many users report an improved sense of harmony and reduced fatigue, which can be beneficial for managing the chronic nature of the condition.

Reflexology can help mitigate the symptoms of osteoporosis. Please message me to book in or call me on 07787 787843 (please leave a message if there's no answer as I may be in a treatment 🙂).

Reflexology can be a beneficial, low-risk complementary therapy for managing symptoms of osteoporosis, such as chronic pain, stress, and discomfort, by stimulating specific pressure points. It helps improve relaxation and circulation.