How it's understood
In the Chinese medicine view, qi flows through the body and stress can block its flow — leading over time to imbalance and illness. Reflexology aims to keep qi moving, which is why the work feels so restorative even when the symptom you came in with seems quite unrelated to the feet.
From a Western perspective, work in the late 19th century mapped how nerves connect skin and internal organs. A skilled reflexologist's touch calms the central nervous system, much as any skilful bodywork does — which is part of why the effect lasts.
What a session looks like
You stay clothed and recline on a treatment chair or table. The practitioner works the feet (and sometimes hands) with thumb and finger pressure for around 50 minutes. Many people drift into sleep. Afterwards: drink water, walk gently, give the body permission to keep responding.
Further reading