Futzuki is a reflexology foot mat which is said to relieve foot pain. Read our Futzuki review plus additional information here.
About Futzuki
Futzuki uses the principle of reflexology to work with pressure points in your feet to help relieve and reduce pain. The product website is futzuki.com, which was registered in December 2015. The screenshot below shows the official website in May 2016.
Claims and Features
- Has over 2800 reflexology points
- Aids with plantar fasciitis, heel pain, arch pain, tingling
- Good for heels, arch, pad, and toes
Cost
Futzuki costs $19.99 with free shipping. There is also a $2 “web service fee” attached to every order, bringing your cost to $21.99. There is a 90-day money back guarantee.
There is an offer to upgrade to a deluxe package which includes higher grade plastic for improved penetration. That costs $10 extra.
As of February 2017, Futzuki is available in stores for about $20.
Futzuki Review
Futzuki is a foot mat which uses reflexology pressure points to massage heels, arch, pad, and toes. To use Futzuki, you merely step onto the pad – placing your arches on the higher points – and move your feet around. This pressure is said to help improve circulation and reduce pain.
Futzuki includes ball-shaped protrusions which contain a total of 2,800 “reflexology points” which allow your feet to feel gentle pressure when you stand on the mat.
Reflexology is defined as “a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating predefined pressure points on the feet and hands.” Thus, although some reviewers have said the Futzuki doesn’t qualify as true reflexology, it certainly seems to meet at least some definitions of the word.
In short, these types of reflexology mats do provide some relief by stimulating sore, tired feet which in turn leads to increased blood flow, relaxation, and perhaps moderate pain relief. No mat is going to provide a comprehensive solution to foot pain, although using this every day will probably provide some comfort and relief to most consumers.
If your expectations are realistic, Futzuki may be a worthy investment, but keep in mind that pain relief is highly subjective. What may work for one person may not work for another. How an individual perceives pain – and pain reduction – is unique to that person. Thus, although online reviews such as this one are helpful, the only way you’ll know if a pain relief product works is to try it yourself.
I found that standing on Futzuki barefoot to be uncomfortable, about how I imagine it would feel standing on a bed of needles. As you can see in the video below, there were indentations left on the soles of my feet after using it barefoot. The instructions state that if you find it uncomfortable, you can wear socks instead. I found this to be a far better solution, providing a massaging experience without the pain I felt while using it without socks.
You can see trademark information for Futzuki, which was filed in late 2015. It describes the unit as “foot massage apparatus; massage apparatus.”
Does Reflexology Work?
The practice of reflexology has been met with mixed results in studies on the topic. A summary of 168 research studies on reflexology found that it may increase blood flow, relieve some symptoms, create a relaxing effect, and reduce pain.
Conversely, there are skeptics of reflexology. You may want to read a report by Quackwatch, which concludes, “Reflexology is based on an absurd theory and has not been demonstrated to influence the course of any illness. Done gently, reflexology is a form of foot massage that may help people relax temporarily. Whether that is worth $35 to $100 per session or is more effective than ordinary (noncommercial) foot massage is a matter of individual choice.”
Alternatives
There are a wide variety of foot massage devices which can be found online and locally. Some use heat, pressure pads, water, motion, or vibration. There are also a number of reflexology mats such as the two-sided Goda Foot Massager which offers a large rectangular mat featuring two different pressure textures.
If you don’t find pressure to work for you, you may find one of the other methods listed to be more beneficial.
My Video Review
Below you can see my video demonstration of Futzuki, along with my observations on the product.
Your Futzuki Reviews
Have you used Futzuki ? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below and a star rating above.
Updated February 2017.
Wouldn’t walking a gravel drive way do the same thing?
I don’t have a gravel drive.
Has worked great for me. Have plantars and it definetely makes it better.