Win a $250 gift card!

Help guests by leaving a review on Google for your favorite spa experiences. Be entered in a drawing on 8/1/24.

Leave a Review

Important Notice

Wake Foot Sanctuary Asheville remains closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene with no water or communications channels functioning. We look forward to being back to you ,our foot soakers! In the meantime, please follow us on social for more detailed information, consider any appointments cancelled during this closure, and disregard any auto alerts.

Foot Pressure Points: A Guide to Relief & Health

For most of your life, your body does exactly what you want. But sometimes, injuries and mental health issues can occur, making life less pleasant.

That’s where foot massage points can help. These special regions can transmit healing energy to affected tissues, returning you to health in no time.

This guide discusses pressure points for various forms of relief and healing. We look at how massaging these regions can improve health outcomes and treat specific body areas.

But first, what are the pressure points on the foot?

Foot Pressure Points 101

Foot pressure points are regions of the feet that benefit other body parts when massaged. Reflexologists believe specific sections can connect to organs and tissues, and that manipulating them can foster better health elsewhere.

Massaging foot pressure points has been a part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Ancient sages believed they could reduce stress, promote sleep, and improve digestion.

More recently, it became a part of reflexology. Going back centuries, practitioners believed they could harness the connections between the feet and the body to impart healing activity.

Benefits of Foot Massage

The benefits of foot massages and reflexology are vast, with many practitioners believing that bottom-of-foot pressure points can heal tissues as distant as the brain.

1. Lower Back Relief

Lower back pain foot pressure points are located behind the little toe. Practitioners believe massaging this area (or other parts of the foot) offers relief for patients with this type of complaint.

For example, one study from 2019 found that foot reflexology could improve chronic pain in children, while another found pain scores in affected adults reduced by over 40% after a single session.

2. Stomach Pain Relief

Foot pressure points may also be useful for stomach pain and digestive issues. Practitioners believe some reflex points on the foot connect to the intestines and digestive system, potentially boosting blood flow and improving peristaltic movements.

Knowing where to massage your foot for stomach pain seems tricky. However, current guidelines suggest working the arch of the foot for the small intestine, the outer edge of the ball for the spleen, and the inner edge of the arch just before the ball for the stomach (discussed below).

3. Stress Relief

Foot massage may also be beneficial for stress. Many people feel a profound sense of relaxation during reflexology sessions, reducing anxiety and tension.

Researchers believe foot massage is relaxing because it increases blood flow throughout the body, lowering blood pressure. It takes people out of “fight or flight” mode and into a calmer experience.

Furthermore, scientific evidence supports the idea that people really do feel less stressed after a reflexology session. A review from 2019, for example, found that cancer patients experienced improved well-being when clinicians included foot massage in their protocols (alongside aromatherapy).

Most reflexologists recommend patients undergo several reflexology sessions for stress-related treatment. Multiple massages can help the body return to its baseline relaxation state.

4. Improved Sleep

Because of reflexology’s effects on stress, it may also assist with sleep. Patients undergoing treatment often report improved restfulness at night, allowing them to wake up refreshed the next day.

Again, researchers think this effect relates to improved circulation. Foot massage improves blood flow around the body, helping patients rest more (particularly after surgery).

5. Diabetes Support

Lastly, foot massage points for stress may also help diabetes patients. Massaging the sole, toes, and other areas could reduce the risk of ulcer formation and increase mobility for advanced patients. Unfortunately, no evidence suggests it can lower blood sugar levels or improve insulin sensitivity.

Left vs. Right Foot Points

Reflexology and foot massage took centuries to develop into a medical discipline. As such, the science concerning which parts of the feet connect to specific tissues in the body is quite advanced.

Most reflexologists distinguish between the left and right foot pressure points. These have a slightly different emphasis (though some charts show them as being the same).

Left foot pressure points include:

  • Left kidney (close to the middle of the sole)
  • Descending colon (near the outer edge of the left foot)
  • Pancreas (near the inner side of the left foot close to the ball)
  • Stomach (close to the ball of the foot near the center)
  • Spleen (on the inner edge of the foot, half-way down)
  • Heart (near the ball of the foot on the left-hand side)

Right foot pressure points include:

  • Appendix (close to the outer edge near the heel)
  • Right kidney (on the midsole close to the arch)
  • Ascending colon (close to the outer edge)
  • Gallbladder (slightly below the ball of the foot to the right side)
  • Liver (slightly above the gallbladder pressure point)
  • Small intestine (the large region in the center of the sole)

Interestingly, reflexologists identify several common pressure points on both feet. The head and the brain, for instance, are always on the tips of the toes, while the spine runs along the inner edge of both feet. You can also find the lungs on the ball and the bladder on the heel of both feet.

What’s The Difference Between Massage And Reflexology?

Superficially, massage and reflexology look similar. However, they are distinct. Massage involves treating superficial muscles but foot pressure points can target organs and other tissues hidden inside the body. As such, it may be a more comprehensive alternative therapy.

How Long Before Foot Reflexology Yields Benefits?

You should see the benefits of foot pressure point massage after your first session. However, the speed of your recovery depends on the extent of your injuries. Doctors may recommend it as a complementary therapy or suggest you get it as a standalone treatment.

Now You Understand Foot Pressure Points

Reading this, you should now understand foot pressure points. While the science is still catching up, reflexology is something that medical professionals have used for centuries to offer pain relief, reduce stress, and help patients feel more vital. Today, most medical professionals view it as a complementary treatment.

connect with us

Asheville North Carolina

1 Page Avenue Suite 115
Asheville, NC 28801
Map

(828) 575-9799

Monday – Sunday: 9AM–8PM

Stay Well, Stay Connected

Knoxville Tennessee

507 S Gay Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
Map

(865) 770-5985

Monday – Sunday: 9AM–8PM

© 2025 - Wake, LLC. All Rights reserved.

Site Credit // SouthMade