The Australian reflexology workforce: A descriptive secondary-analysis from the PRACI practice-based research network

Objectives

This study provides the first detailed empirical examination of the reflexology profession and reflexology practice in Australia.

Design

Secondary analysis of the Practitioner Research And Collaboration Initiative (PRACI) online baseline workforce survey and practice-specific manual therapy follow-up survey.

Methods

The baseline survey collected data about participant sociodemographics, practitioner and professional characteristics, and clinical special interest areas. The Follow up survey provided more information about practice behaviours including participant use of diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Responses from both surveys were linked and the data were analysed for descriptive statistics. Bivariate analyses tested the association between practitioner characteristics across two subgroups: those participants with both a reflexology and massage qualification; and those with a reflexology qualification but no massage qualification.

Results

The baseline survey was completed by 128 reflexologists and 74 (57.8 %) of the baseline respondents completed the secondary practice-specific manual therapy survey. Substantially more females (86.7 %) completed the survey and the mean age of participants was 53.1 years (SD 10.4). A diverse range of clinical interest topics were disclosed. Most frequent were general health and wellbeing (81.3 %) and musculoskeletal complaints (78.1 %). Digestive disorders (68.0 %), women’s health complaints (66.4 %), endocrine conditions (64.8 %), pain (64.8 %) and allergies (60.2 %) were also commonly identified as clinical interest areas. Participants with a reflexology qualification only reported a lower hourly rate, less new clients per month and less days in clinical practice compared to other participants. They also reported discussing diet and nutrition, exercise prescription, nutritional supplements less often than other participants.

Conclusions

Reflexology is a manual therapy with a broad range of applications that ay support many health conditions. This study highlights the important priority areas for the Australian reflexology profession to ensure sustainability of their workforce into the future.