Reflexology is a type of alternative medicine that operates under the theory that specific pressure points on the feet relate to specific organs, glands, or other areas of the body. The skilled and precise application of pressure at these specific points by a reflexologist can help relieve pain and may help resolve some illnesses, although this is not scientifically proven. Back pain, chronic or acute, may be served by treatment with reflexology, but as with any type of alternative medicine, you should first consult your physician before seeking treatment with a reflexologist.

Some people experience back pain due to a physical imbalance in the body, i.e., misalignment of the spine, or an imbalance in another area of the body, such as the hips, which causes stress to the back. Physical imbalances are harder to treat with reflexology, but it can be used effectively to pinpoint the source of the imbalance. Depending on where pain or discomfort is experienced in the foot, a reflexologist can identify any imbalances in the body that may be causing back pain. You can use a reflexology chart at home to try to identify the source of your back pain by matching any tender spots in your feet with the corresponding body part on the chart. However, keep in mind that consulting a skilled reflexologist is always the best way to ensure accuracy.

If you have a lot of stress in your life, or you have recently undergone any sort of trauma, your emotional pain may manifest itself as physical pain, often in the back. According to altMD.com, reflexology can be highly effective in identifying and treating back pain that is a result of stress or emotional trauma, because it helps bring difficult emotions to the surface and encourages the release of those emotions. A few treatments with a reflexologist can be highly effective in treating back pain due to emotional imbalance, but if you aren't able to visit a reflexologist, having a friend or partner massage tender spots on your feet a few times a week can be therapeutic. Have them concentrate on tender areas, even though it may be painful, as these are the spots where the painful emotions are stored.

Treating your back pain with reflexology is most effective when carried out by an experienced reflexologist, as skilled practitioners of reflexology know the feet intimately, and utilize more specific massage techniques in accordance with their comprehensive knowledge of the foot structure and how the pressure points of the foot connect to other areas of the body. However, if you are not able to visit a reflexologist, you can still find some relief at home with foot massage. Refer to your reflexology chart and find the whole spine area on the foot—it runs along the inside of both feet from tip of big toe to back end of heel. According to how-to-do-Reflexology.com, begin with the right foot. Grasp the foot with both hands, holding on to the spine area with the palm of the hands—your fingers should be placed on the top of your foot and your thumbs on the bottom of your foot. Slowly and gently twist your hands away from each other in order to twist massage the spine area on the foot. This is a relaxation exercise. Do this, twisting both ways, for about ten to fifteen seconds. Next, thumb walk up and down the complete spine area, and then thumb walk sideways across the spine area. Repeat on your left foot.