Reflexologist

Reflexologists apply pressure to areas of the hands and feet (reflexes) to promote relaxation and wellbeing.

• Typical hours30 to 37 a week

What you'll do

As a reflexologist, you would:

• talk to your client about their health, diet and lifestyle
• explain reflexology treatments to the client
• apply pressure with the thumb and fingers to the client's feet, hands, face or ears
• update treatment records
• refer clients to their GP if needed

Working environment

You could work at a health spa, in a therapy clinic, at a client's home or at a hospice.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work on your own
• active listening skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to understand people's reactions
• knowledge of biology
• customer service skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to become a reflexologist

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University

You could take a foundation degree or diploma in higher education in complementary healthcare.

A course in complementary healthcare can include a number of different therapies, so you would need to check how much of it covers reflexology.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

College

You could do a college course that will give you some of the skills and knowledge required for this role.

Courses include:

• reflexology
• complementary therapies
• holistic health and complimentary therapies
• practitioner reflexology

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start in this career by doing a Wellbeing and Holistic Therapist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This can take up to 2 years to complete and is a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

• have insurance
• pass enhanced background checks

Career path and progression

You could go on to train in other areas of complementary therapy to expand the services you offer, for example:

• aromatherapy
• massage therapy
• Reiki healing

With experience and further training, you could become a reflexology teacher. You could also coach or mentor newly qualified reflexologists.

Career tips

You may find it useful to have experience in healthcare, massage, beauty therapy or counselling.

Registration

• you could join an accredited register managed by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) or the Federation of Holistic Therapists

Guides for this industry

• Health & Social Care: pay, interviews and getting started →

Related roles

• Job roleAcupuncturist
• Job roleMassage therapist
• Job roleNaturopath
• Job roleAromatherapist
• Job roleReiki healer

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0