Reflexology and relaxation may help ease pain after heart surgery

Recovering from heart surgery can be challenging, and one of the most painful moments is the removal of chest tubes. A new study, published in The Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery (2025), has explored whether reflexology massage and respiratory relaxation can help manage this pain.

What did the study investigate?

The research focused on 140 cardiac surgery patients who were divided into four groups and their pain levels monitored:

1. A control group who had standard care.

2. A group using respiratory relaxation techniques.

3. A group receiving foot reflexology massage.

4. A group combining reflexology massage and respiratory relaxation.

Key Findings

The study found that while pain levels were similar across all groups before and after chest tube removal, there was a significant difference immediately after removal. People who received reflexology massage, respiratory relaxation, or both reported lower pain levels compared to those in the control group. The combined approach was the most effective.

What does this mean for reflexology?

These findings suggest that reflexology massage, especially when paired with breathing techniques, may be a valuable tool in pain management after cardiac surgery. While more research is needed, this adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of reflexology in healthcare settings.

#reflexology #painrelief #naturalhealing #hearthealth #wellbeing