At femme, we are interested in the full picture of women's health, including the complementary practices people use alongside conventional healthcare. Reflexology is one of those practices, often chosen for relaxation, stress support and a sense of wellbeing.
We spoke with Gaynor Almond, Clinical Reflexologist, about how she works, why fertility became a specialist area for her and what she has learned from supporting clients through different stages of women's health.
What Is Reflexology?
Gaynor describes reflexology as a non-invasive complementary therapy, most commonly carried out on the feet. In a session, a practitioner applies pressure to specific areas while the client rests.
For many people, the appeal is the opportunity to slow down, feel cared for and step out of day-to-day stress. Gaynor's own approach combines reflexology with a wider interest in fertility, trauma and emotional wellbeing.
Our Conversation with Gaynor
How did fertility become part of your work?
Gaynor has spent more than a decade working with people who are trying to conceive. She says many clients arrive carrying a considerable amount of stress after months or years of appointments, tests or uncertainty. Her focus is on giving them a calm space where the body can relax and they can feel supported as a whole person.
She has seen clients become pregnant during periods when they were also receiving reflexology, but is careful to frame her work as support rather than a guarantee. Fertility has many contributing factors, and no complementary therapy can promise conception.
What other areas of women's health do clients ask about?
Gaynor works with people across different life stages, including menstrual discomfort, menopause, digestive symptoms, headaches and stress. In her clinical practice she adapts sessions to the person in front of her rather than treating a diagnosis in isolation.
Some clients report feeling calmer, sleeping better or experiencing temporary symptom relief after reflexology. Those experiences can be valuable, while still being different from evidence that a therapy treats an underlying medical condition.
What does the research say?
Gaynor has followed research exploring reflexology in areas such as premenstrual symptoms, period pain, menopause and sexual wellbeing. The wider evidence base remains mixed and many studies are small, so stronger claims about hormone regulation, fertility outcomes or treatment of medical conditions are not established.
Can people use simple reflexology techniques at home?
Gaynor encourages gentle self-care, such as massaging the feet or using touch as part of a relaxation routine. If you are pregnant, have a medical condition, have recently had surgery or are receiving fertility treatment, tell your healthcare team and your reflexologist so care can be adapted appropriately.
Reflexology for fertility: common questions
Does reflexology improve fertility?
There is not good evidence that reflexology treats infertility or increases pregnancy rates. It may be used as a complementary wellbeing practice for relaxation, but it should not replace fertility assessment or treatment.
Can reflexology help during IVF?
Some people use reflexology for relaxation while going through fertility treatment. If you choose to use it, treat it as supportive care rather than something proven to improve IVF outcomes, and tell your fertility clinic about complementary therapies you use.
Does reflexology treat menopause symptoms?
Evidence is not strong enough to present reflexology as a treatment for menopause. If it helps you relax, that can still be personally valuable, but troublesome symptoms have evidence-based treatment options worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
A femme Note on the Evidence
Reflexology is a complementary wellbeing practice, not a replacement for diagnosis or medical treatment. Current evidence is not strong enough to say that reflexology improves fertility, regulates hormones or treats conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS/PMOS or menopause.
Where it may still have a meaningful role is relaxation, supportive touch and creating protected time to decompress. If that helps you feel better during a demanding health or fertility journey, it can be a useful part of your wider support system. Our guide to stress and practical ways to unwind explores other options too.
About Gaynor
Gaynor Almond is a clinical reflexologist with a particular interest in fertility and emotional wellbeing. She works as part of the team at Juniper Clinic.
