The future of reflexology

It would have been difficult 30 years ago to foresee how great would be the grass roots response to reflexology. Over the past 5 years public and professional interest in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), its practice, future development and possible regulation have been of much concern in many quarters, not least among therapists themselves. The report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology into Complementary and Alternative Medicine published in November 2000 made a number of recommendations likely to influence the social framework in which CAM has been practiced. This paper offers an appraisal of the practice of reflexology, its historic development, legal issues, scope and limitations of practice.