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Alternative Medicine Blog

By Cathy Wong, About.com Guide to Alternative Medicine since 2000

What's the Difference Between Foot Massage and Reflexology?

Tuesday March 18, 2008
A question I'm often asked is what the difference is between foot massage and reflexology. Foot massage is similar to Swedish massage, the most common type of massage in North America. People typically use massage oil or lotion and use gentle gliding strokes all over the foot. Reflexology is quite different. While many people find reflexology relaxing, it's based on the theory that certain points on the feet correspond to certain organs and body parts and that applying pressure to the areas can promote health in the corresponding parts.

One of the reasons people often confuse the two is that some spas and salons advertise that they offer reflexology, but what people actually get is foot massage by a therapist who isn't properly trained or certified in reflexology. Learn more about reflexology by reading my article: What is Reflexology

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Comments

March 18, 2008 at 11:31 pm
(1) durrob says:

I always wondered what the difference was, thank you.

March 20, 2008 at 5:58 am
(2) luxianming says:

Can you have interests to translate your book to Chinese? I think it is very helpabl to our people. If you have some ideas ,to touch me.

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