Has reflexology actually worked for anyone?

[Dr. Demento]

My yoga instructor told us that when she had a kidney infection, the corresponding location on her foot became sensitive to pressure. She was performing reflexology on herself, and noticed it, and that is what actually caused her to visit her doctor, who told her she had a kidney infection. So reflexology essentially helped diagnose her condition. Of course she did take antibiotics to rid herself of the infection.

I'm curious to know if this actually works. I have a hard time believing reflexology can actually work. What leads reflexologists to believe that there is a corresponding location on the foot or hand for every part of the body?

Can reflexology be used to help stimulate an organ, or improve its efficiency?
My yoga instructor has done a superb job introducing me to the world of yoga. Probably more than you could ever do for me, so please refrain from using such hurtful words about people you have never met. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say nothing at all. I learned that when I was 4, but apparently you have not learned it yet.
Giant, I have heard that too. Even though you know you had the condition, you were essentially diagnosed via reflexology. Imagine if you didn't know you had it. You would have been prompted to go to a doctor to get it checked out further. That's what I wanted to know. Mr. Patrick here didn't help me. He just used very rude and hurtful terminology to describe the best yoga instructor I have ever had. He is 22 years old, and still calls people "retard".

 

[JLI]

A good indication that the philosophy behind reflexology is wrong is presented in a study that found:

1) Experienced reflexologists were unable to detect presence/absence of specific conditions - And they even had a list to choose from.
2) Experienced reflexologists were unable to agree among themselves if specified conditions were present or not.

A summary of the study can be read here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11068346

Also it's effectiveness as treatment has been tested, and it has been found to be ineffective. Here is a review of the available studies: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_05_070909/ern10490_fm.html

 

[giantsteps]

I've had reflexology before and I was skeptical, but the reflexologist told me afterwards that I should get checked for a condition that I actually already knew I had. That was pretty impressive because I didn't tell him anything about it before the treatment. I still tend to feel skeptical though. As a foot massage it was great. I felt like I was walking on air afterwards.

 

[thenoseknows]

There are correspondences between reflexology and accupuncture/accupressure/TCM that have a proven effectiveness for over 5,000 years. It's like the correspondence between Pilates and Yoga. The diagnostics are quite accurate and yes it can stimulate sluggish organs or restore balanced function.
The problem with mainstream medicine is that it just reacts to suppress symptoms of whatever condition you may have. If you want to actually heal something you need to cure or remove the cause of the problem. Mainstream medicine is way behind holistic medicine. If you have a kidney problem it's possible to cure it, not just "treat" symptoms.
There are nasty trolls like the person you mention who have mental problems. When you don't agree with them they become arrogant and insulting and yes, most of them are immature.

 

[Touchpoint]

What Reflexology is: Reflexology is an art, a science and a skill that uses gentle pressure and manipulation of the feet, hands, body and ears. Reflexologists believe that the foot, ear or hand mirrors the body. We use a compression technique on specific spots on the hands and feet that energize and re-balance all organs and parts of the body.
To answer how does Reflexology Work: The inside edge of the foot resembles the spine and is indeed the reflex of the spine. The head sits at its upper end (the big toe), the shoulders are located at the top of the ball of the foot. The waist is at the mid-line of the foot in its arch and the buttocks are the heel. Observe your own foot and notice the similarity between its structure and the structure of your spine. You may also notice that where your feet hurt, that is where your spine causes your concern as well. The little toe side is the lateral (outside of the body), and the medial side is the center of the body. Check the web site below to see the correlation between body and foot.
Benefits of Reflexology are: Restore your sense of well-being and health; Release tension and stress
Relieve pain, discomfort and symptoms of disease; Enhance your vitality and energy; Improve your muscle tone; Promote relaxation and improve your sleep; Boost your immune system; Improve your circulation; Stimulate low energy and depressed areas; Reduce over-energy and over-stimulated areas; Restore your system's balance; Develop healthy body image; Feel great because it feels great!
Best thing to suggest is to see a Reflexologist and find out for yourself.
All the best to you!