Brain scans acquired during recent research provide evidence of validity and proof of concept for reflexology. As foot reflexology was applied to study participants, brain images were acquired by fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging). The brain images showed activation in areas of the brain not related to the foot. Thus demonstrated is feasibility for the concepts of reflexology’s effects throughout the body and benefits for wellness as well as health concerns. 

The pilot project Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology was conducted at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research in April and September 2023. Reflexology was applied by Kevin Kunz to the feet of healthy participants and stroke patients as their brains were scanned by fMRI. Analysis continues on the 80,000 brain images acquired during the scans.

Lead investigator Dr. Stefan Posse of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine termed the preliminary results as “unexpected.” Participating researcher Dr. Ann van de Winckel, University of Minnesota Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, noted “unanticipated” and “noteworthy” responses of stroke patient participants.

Research showed that foot reflexology created blood flow to areas of the brain related to the foot as well as physical and mental functions of the body.

An fMRI brain scan measures blood flow in the brain. Our brains are always at work with blood flow continually carrying the nutrients of oxygen and glucose the brain needs to operate. Blood flow changes and travels to areas specifically related to what we’re thinking, doing, sensing, or feeling. Of interest to scientists during research are changes in blood flow as, for example, foot reflexology is applied. Research showed that foot reflexology created blood flow to areas of the brain related to the foot as well as physical and mental functions of the body.

The origins of the research were theories developed by Barbara and Kevin Kunz beginning in 1980 during hand and foot reflexology work with individuals paralyzed by spinal cord injury and patients paralyzed by stroke.

Techniques were applied to the specific reflex areas on the feet of study participants during the study. Selected were reflex areas of the feet found to create responses during the Kunzes’ work with these clients. Additional reflex areas were selected from previous fMRI reflexology studies.

Preliminary results for Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology were reported by Dr. Posse at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the International Society of Magnetic

Resonance in Medicine in Singapore, May 6, 2024.

The preliminary findings confirm results from previous reflexology research projects using fMRI. Results from these studies show specific activation of areas of the brain in response to reflexology stimulation provided to specific reflex areas. (» READ MORE)

Limitations

Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology is a pilot study with a limited number of participants: four healthy participants and four stroke patients. Analysis of the estimated 80,000 brain scans acquired during the study is ongoing, and areas of brain activation will be reported in a future paper.

Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology is conducted with unique private funding. Donations from 151 reflexology organizations, reflexologists, and interested Individuals have poured in from around the world. Reflexologists from 94 countries responded to reports of the research. Funds are administered by the non- profit unmfund.org (University of New Mexico Fund) page. Contributions can be donated at UNMFUND

Reflexology: Exploring Unexpected Connections in Spinal Cord Injury

Every story has its beginnings and the answer to a question asked of a client by Barbara and Kevin Kunz in 1980 would lead to the Kunz’s 2023 foot reflexology research project at an fMRI laboratory at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. Theories and ideas about how reflexology effects the nervous system researched and developed during the intervening years would lead to innovations in reflexology as well as credible concepts prompting a scientist to suggest fMRI research.

What was the question and the answer?

“Jimmy, are you moving your fingers?” His answer, “No, Kevin is.”

A simple question. A simple answer. An interchange that would launch a thousand ideas. What was so special about the question and answer?

Our client Jimmy was a quadriplegic with a spinal cord injury leaving him without the ability to move or feel any part of his body below the neck. Yet, Kevin’s application of reflexology

technique to a specific part of the left foot prompted movement of the fingers of the right hand. The action was repeatable.

Forty plus years later his answer plus research and the development of a theory would lead us to research foot reflexology at an fMRI laboratory and results lead investigator scientist Dr. Stefan Posse would call “unexpected.”

Why Would This Happen? Why would the fingers move?

As we would come to discover, it was the nervous system at work, fragmented by spinal cord injury. Reflexology technique was the application of pressure, recreating the sensation experienced by a foot during a footstep.

A footstep is part of the survival mechanism of body’s fight or flight system and the ability to fight or flee. It would take a year of research to realize reflexology worked within the nervous system and its importance. The full implication of what that means is still being made known.

A Theory a Year in the Making

It would happen again and again, the movement of fingers prompted by reflexology technique applied to the opposite foot. We called it the crossover pattern.

More information would come six months later as we started working with Ann and Kris, both paraplegics following spinal cord injury. Both would show a crossover pattern with a difference. Technique applied to the feet prompted a generalized spasming of the feet and legs that after three months became organized.

… spasming was becoming organized into what the feet do during a footstep.

Kevin recognized that the spasming was becoming organized into what the feet do during a footstep. He had been studying for a year how a footstep happens, muscle by muscle and foot positioning by foot positioning.

Jimmy’s fingers moving?

Consider the action during a footstep as one leg and foot coordinate movement with the opposite hand and arm. We were seeing a footstep fragmented by spinal cord injury.

Pressure Comes into the Picture

It was a Sunday around noon a year after starting work with Jimmy. Barbara had been reading about the nervous system and information gathered from senses in a physiology textbook for physical therapists.

This tied reflexology work into the nervous system. This was how reflexology worked.

And, there it was: “Proprioceptive sensations are those that apprise the brain of the physical state of the body, including …deep pressure from the bottom of the feet.”

Barbara knew in an instant that this was IT. This tied reflexology work into the nervous system. This was how reflexology worked. It was a EUREKA moment, the thrill of a lifetime.

As we learned that day, stretch and movement are proprioceptive sensations as well. Taken together these are sensory experiences that apprise the body of information needed to make possible moving and walking.

Reflexology Technique Tied into Fight or Flight

Survival and the ability to fight or flee requires the feet to coordinate with activity such as increased breathing. Did reflexology tie into this mechanism, the activity of the autonomic nervous system?

We were to find it did. In addition to movement, each of the individuals paralyzed by spinal cord injury experienced what we called “internal body adjustment,” responses of the autonomic nervous system.

For Jimmy, with spinal cord injury in the neck (the cervicals), the activity was perspiring on one side of his head. Sweating is controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

For Ann whose spinal cord injury was between the shoulder blades (the thoracics), work on the feet would prompt growling of the intestinal tract, an intense feeling of hunger and perspiring below the level of her injury.

At times Kris would shiver uncontrollably with teeth chattering. When offered a blanket or change in room temperature she would reply, I’m not cold.

… proprioception is particularly important to set activities of the autonomic nervous system.

Another dive into the physiology textbook showed that proprioception is particularly important to set activities of the autonomic nervous system. After all, when pressure sensors in the feet send information that they are engaged in running,

Over the years other clients paralyzed following spinal cord injury would demonstrate similar response. In addition, clients paralyzed following stroke would experience abilities to move.

Forty Years of Research and Development

We developed these ideas throughout our careers building a credible body of knowledge for reflexology. Following discussions beginning in 2019 with scientist Dr. Stefan Posse, he suggested reflexology research in his field of study, fMRI.

Two years later we had raised $54,000 to privately fund Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology. Dr. Stefan Posse had moved the project through the requirements of the university and we were at the University of Minnesota on a path begun forty plus years earlier.

The Impact of Reflexology on Stroke Recovery

t’s Mum. I’d do anything,” says British reflexology student Gayle about her decision to apply reflexology to her mother.

Dawn was lying unconscious in the A&E (Accident & Emergency department) after being diagnosed with a “massive” stroke. Read  more.

This and other stroke stories (see below) show personal experiences of using reflexology to help those who have experienced stroke. Now, such possibilities are bolstered by preliminary implications of an fMRI reflexology study by Barbara and Kevin Kunz. Read more.

Stroke—the word conjures up thoughts of a health condition with dread results

Ask a medical professional what can be done and you’ll probably receive a shake of the head indicating there’s really nothing to be done. Demonstrating possibilities is research using fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging). The study was conducted in 2023 at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in a project titled Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology.

The research is based on Kunz and Kunz theories developed during work with individuals who had experienced spinal cord injury (sci). The technique application by Kevin uses a protocol modeled after Kunz and Kunz work with individuals who experienced sci or stroke.

Results are not yet available but preliminary implications note improvements for stroke patient study participants.

What if a reflexology system could enhance stroke care and rehabilitation, speed recovery and help bring back to the stroke patient at least some abilities lost to the stroke?

Reports of the research inspired British reflexology student Gayle to apply reflexology to her mother following a stroke as noted above. A reflexologist in Poland aided recovery from stroke for a client following a protocol developed by Kevin Kunz.

One can only imagine a world-wide citizen army of professional and non-professional reflexologists taking arms against stroke, a disorder that absorbs 34% of the world’s medical care costs not to mention the human cost to countless lives.

Stroke and Reflexology: Stories in Brief

Eighty-seven year old Nadine experienced a stroke resulting in paralysis on her left side. Her daughter Dale was advised to find a “comfortable place” for Nadine to live. Dale thought of this as “warehousing” her mother. Barbara and Kevin Kunz began hand and foot reflexology work 3 weeks after their friend Nadine’s stroke.

Following 13 sessions over 39 days and 68 days after her stroke, Nadine walked out of rehabilitation with assistance and moved into an assisted living facility. READ MORE.

Three weeks after experiencing a stroke an 88 year old man sought the help of Polish reflexologist Sylvia of Poland. Sylvia followed suggestions of Facebook friend Kevin Kunz and helped the man’s life return to normal following two sessions of foot reflexology. Read more.

As said further by British reflexology student Gayle “I got nothing to lose (when I decided to apply reflexology), yeah, other than my mom, you know? Oh yeah, yeah, no, that’s a lot. It’s a lot to lose. I’d say nothing to, you know, it’s a lot to lose.” It had been suggested by consultants in A&E her mother be given morphine and placed in a side room. She thought of the Kunz research and began her reflexology work. Read more.

The Stroke Stories

Report from Polish reflexologist Sylvia Pyrda

A picture may be worth a thousand words but sometimes a few words in an email can have great value.

Knowing of Kevin Kunz’s experiences working with individuals who had experienced stroke, Polish reflexologist Sylvia Pyrda emailed her Facebook friend Kevin.

First email from Sylvia

“I have an old man, 88 years old and 3 weeks ago he had a stroke…tomorrow he will have first foot reflexology. Well, which point on foot would you touch/unblock the most? Head reflexes?”

Second email from Sylvia

“I would like to thank you so much! Your advice about reflexology points after head stroke are priceless! I did it on this man and after 50 minutes he moved his left hand and leg ( before he couldn’t) !! I was so happy and so was his family.

Thank you once again 😊 😊”

Third email from Sylvia

“Hi Kevin. I’m sending you a message to tell you how much grateful am I for your help. That 88 year old man can normally walk and behave, he eats, go to the toliette (sic) and his blood pressure level is getting better and better. Thank you for your help.”

A Mother and Daughter

The prognosis for 80 year old Dawn was not good on that Wednesday. The stroke she had experienced was described as “massive” by the consultant following assessment of a scan of her brain showing the injured area. She was not expected to survive the next 24 hours. If she did it was predicted she would be paralyzed on the left half of her body with the potential loss of sight and hearing abilities. One option was making Dawn “comfortable in a side room and giving her morphine.”

Some sixty days later and Dawn walked out of a rehabilitation facility for outside visits and, weeks later, returned home. There are some lingering effects of her

stroke but the doctor says it should be no problem for her to do things like walk up stairs.

The happy ending to Dawn’s story started with her daughter Gayle’s decision to hold her mother’s hand to comfort her …

The happy ending to Dawn’s story started with her daughter Gayle’s decision to hold her mother’s hand to comfort her while waiting assessment in the UK hospital’s A&E stroke unit. It then occurred to Gayle to apply reflexology while holding her hand. Using knowledge gained as a reflexology student and encouraged by reported results of the Kunz and Kunz fMRI research project with stroke patients (Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology), she was determined to use reflexology to help her mother.

Progress was evaluated day by day.

Progress was evaluated day by day. On Thursday the consultant saw no progress discounting as spasming Gayle’s reports of her mother moving in response to reflexology application. He decided to extend care another day swayed by, as Gayle tells it, I think he felt sorry for us. She and her two sisters took turns staying by their mother’s bed around the clock. On Friday, perhaps swayed by blood pressure readings, he again made the decision to extend care.

Next came what Gayle describes as their lucky break, a doctor’s strike started Friday evening. She says, “So there were a lack of doctors anyway to deal with anything, so you didn’t have to. So, thank God, we realized, like, you know, just to keep this going, keep this going.

It was just after midnight early that Saturday morning when Dawn awoke.

It was just after midnight early that Saturday morning when Dawn awoke. Gayle was taking a break and her sister Hayley was at their mother’s bedside. Dawn he turned and said, Hi, Hay. She had recognized her daughter Hayley’s voice. On Monday, the family could report to the consultant, Dawn had spoken.

As hospital care continued, Gayle’s reflexology work continued. A stay at a rehabilitation facility followed.

Dawn’s life has returned to normal. She now lives with her daughter Gayle.

Investigating Reflexology as a Potential Adjunct in Sudden Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation”

It started as just an ordinary day but what happened that day in 1981 would be anything but ordinary for Barbara and Kevin Kunz. Witnessing sudden cardiac arrest and then effectively applying a reflexology technique that day would be the source of continual discussion over the years about why this would happen. A second incident (see below) would confirm the decision some to include the technique as the first test in fMRI research at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in 2023.

It started as just an ordinary day but what happened that day in 1981 would be anything but ordinary for Barbara and Kevin Kunz. Witnessing sudden cardiac arrest and then effectively applying a reflexology technique that day would be the source of continual discussion over the years about why this would happen. A second incident (see below) would confirm the decision some to include the technique as the first test in fMRI research at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in 2023.

Could a simple reflexology technique serve as a possible addict to medical care for resuscitation from sudden cardiac arrest, the failure of the electrical system of the heart to maintain a regular heartbeat and one of the deadliest killers in the world? Research using brain imaging by fMRI may provide clues.

An Ordinary Day and an Extraordinary Event

“She’s dead, she’s dead,” came the cry from another room. We were making house call and Kevin was giving a reflexology session to the husband of the house.

Suddenly from the bedroom we heard, “She’s dead, she’s dead.” It was caregivers for the lady of the house, an elderly invalid who had been diagnosed with multiple strokes and senile dementia, signaling apparent sudden cardiac arrest.

We rushed into the room as the caregivers rushed out. We found Mrs. Wallace sitting in her wheelchair slumped to one side. Barbara had called 911 on the way, handing the phone to one of the caregivers for address information. Kevin

About Us

People always ask how we got started in reflexology. Kevin tells them how he was walking down the aisle of a book store and found a book on reflexology. It’s one of life’s little moments where we always wonder what would have happened if he’d been walking down another … Read More