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Reflexology
is a form of foot (and occasionally hand) massage, which is not
only relaxing but is also used as a therapy for a variety of
medical conditions. It is based on the principle that every part
of the body is reflected in a precise area of the feet; by
stimulating the appropriate ‘reflex points’, toxins (uric
acid and calcium crystals) are cleared away, and the energy can
flow freely along the energy zones throughout the body. The
massage also increases circulation, aiding the distribution of
nutrients and oxygen, and removing waste products from the
system. Not only the physical body, but also the emotional
states of the patient may be influenced by manipulation of the
feet.
There is evidence that forms of reflexology were used in China
over 5,000 years ago. Although the system of energy points and
channels resembles that used in several other Chinese therapies,
such as acupuncture, most reflexologists maintain that they are
quite separate. Modern reflexology was developed in the
twentieth century, and it is now popular in the UK, US,
Australia, and New Zealand and all over Europe, both as a
private therapy and in some institutions (including pain
clinics, cancer centres and special care baby-units).
What the treatment entails:
After
an initial detailed
case history is taken you will be invited to remove your shoes
and socks/stockings* and then lie on a comfortable couch in
peaceful surroundings.
 During
a treatment some clients may feel tingling, pinpricks or a
sensation in the corresponding body part. The most common
immediate side-effect is thirst and a deep restful feeling.
Indeed few people stay awake through the whole treatment. Some
people report diarrhoea or an urge to urinate. This is due to
the purgative effect the treatment has. An after-effect of
sluggishness or lethargy is also common following the first
session.
 After
the treatment the proposed treatment plan and time scale
involved will be discussed. The initial consultation will last
at least one hour. Subsequent treatments will take 45 minutes or
more, depending on need.
 * Reflexologist
works on bare feet so don’t worry about calluses – in fact,
they may aid the practitioner in finding a problem.
Who may
benefit from Reflexology
Conditions which may respond to reflexology include:
-
Asthma
Constipation
Gastro-intestinal disorders (including irritable bowel
syndrome and peptic ulcers)
Ear, eye, nose, throat and sinus problems
Skin problems (including eczema and psoriasis)
Insomnia
Menstrual problems
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease
Prostate problems
Wound healing
Stress/anxiety
High blood pressure
Circulation problems
Children over the age of one may be treated, and conditions
such as hyperactivity, bedwetting and glue-ear are
considered particularly suitable.
Reflexology is also used for pain control in arthritis,
migraine and other headaches, back/neck pain, and foot pain.
The relaxation properties of reflexology massage are also
beneficial to most people, especially stroke patients.
It may not be suitable for people with osteoporosis,
phlebitis, thrombosis, epilepsy, thyroid disorder, diabetes,
or those with a heart condition.
Treatment
At
the first consultation, the reflexologist may ask about the
patient’s past and present health and lifestyle. Initially the
practitioner will work on the whole foot (body), not just the
part affected by a specific ailment, since this is a holistic
therapy, and any underlying causes must be identified. Any pain
or tenderness experienced as the reflex points are stimulated
indicates the presence of crystalline deposits, and therefore an
imbalance in the corresponding area of the body. These areas
will be massaged gently but firmly to clear the energy channels.
Once the problem areas have been identified, reflexology of the
hands or feet can be practised at home between treatment
sessions.
Most sessions last 45-60 minutes. The frequency of the
treatments, and length of the course depend upon the condition
being treated; many people have regular treatment over long
periods to maintain well-being.
After-effects
Possible
after-effects of reflexology include feeling nauseous, tired or
emotional for a couple of days after treatment; a need to
urinate more often may also be noticed. It is also possible that
existing symptoms may worsen before improving, or else a rash,
cough or mild flu-like symptoms may develop; this is known as a
‘healing crisis’, and is said to indicate that the body is
beginning to eliminate toxins.
Reflexology is compatible with all other forms of therapy,
though you should advise your practitioner if you are taking any
medication, conventional or complementary, since the increase in
excretions from the body may interfere with them. It is
suggested that reflexology is particularly effective when
combined with acupuncture, osteopathy or light therapy.
Reflexology
is an extremely effective form of massage. The basis of which
relates to "reflex points" on the sole of the foot.
These "points" coincide with each organ and system in
the body and are linked to those organs by "energy
channels", "zones" or "meridians". When
illness, or imbalance, occurs the corresponding "energy
channels" become blocked. Reflexology Massage aims to
remove these blocks, thus allowing the energy to flow freely
again
When
the Physiotherapist, Eunice Ingham first began mapping the
entire bodily organs onto the feet, back in the 1930's, little
did she realise that this would be the beginning of such a
revolution in healing therapy. From this time on, it has been
confirmed that by using pressure on the various points on the
feet, along with massage, that such an improvement in both
illness and ailment could be witnessed. Modern Reflexology is
both a science and an art. Reflexology is generally applied
as a massage to the feet or hands, using the zones
that correspond to the various organs of the body. As a science,
it requires careful study, faithful practise and a sound
knowledge of the techniques that are used.
As one of the 'healing arts',
Reflexology yields the best result when the Reflexologist works
with self belief and dedication.
Reflexology will reduce
stress and tension in the individual, improve circulation and
cleanse the body of toxins and impurities. It is also
renowned for revitalisation of energy and is often used as a
preventative healthcare. In other words this pleasing
therapy will help to balance the whole system.
This foundation course
will provide the student with adequate information to begin
practicing as a Reflexologist. Our advanced level
course will provide all serious therapists with the knowledge
that they will need to practise as a true professional.
Reflexology
& Multiple Sclerosis
Following
a number of reports by reflexologists of MS patients benefiting
from reflexology treatment, a small scale study was initiated
backed by the Grampian branch of the Charity Action and Research
for Multiple Sclerosis (GARMS) and the Scottish Institute of
Reflexology.
GARMS
provides regular hyperbaric oxygen therapy and physiotherapy for
people with MS, and volunteers were asked to participate in
reflexology study. Fourteen were assigned to a treatment group
to receive a one hour reflexology treatment every week, and 13
patients were selected to act as a control group (one member
dropped out leaving twelve who completed the study in the
control group)
At
the commencement of the study, participants were asked to asses
nineteen of the most common symptoms as either minor, major or
not applicable. The assessment was repeated after 6 weeks and 12
weeks when the participants also noted whether their symptoms
had improved, worsened or not changed. The control were assessed
using the same form at the same intervals as the treatment
group, and both the treatment and control groups were asked at
the time of the assessment whether on not their medication or
diet had changed to assess possible external factors.
After
6 weeks, a significant number of people in the treatment group
showed an improvement in their symptoms, and most of these
improvements were maintained. During the second 6 week period,
however, many of the participants had lost some of the
improvements they had gained in the first 6 weeks; but after 18
weeks, the results revealed that those patients in the treatment
group experienced some improvements in 45% of the symptoms
compared to a much lower rate of 13% in the control group.
The
results indicate that reflexology does offer some therapeutic
benefit to MS patients especially in the first 6 weeks of
treatment, although the treatment sessions need to be regular,
and the benefits seem to diminish after twelve weeks.
Joyce
M, Richardson R. Reflexology helps multiple sclerosis. JACM July
1997 10-12
Reflexology
& Migraine
According
to a large nationwide research study undertaken in Denmark,
reflexology treatment has a beneficial effect on patients
suffering from migraine and tension headaches. The study was
conducted at the Department of Social Pharmacy, The Royal Danish
School of Pharmacy in co-operation with five reflexology
associations. 220 patients participated with treatment being
given by 78 fully trained reflexologist across the country.
Headaches
remain the most common health problem amongst the adult
population and it has been estimated that they are the reason
for the loss of three mil-lion working days every year.
Reflexology is renowned for its ability to help relax and calm
patients and for this reason it was considered an interesting
therapy to study for the treatment of tension headaches and
migraine.
Of
all the patients who took part in the study, 90 percent said
that they had taken prescribed medication for their headaches
within the month prior to the commencement of the study and, of
them, 36 percent had experienced side effects from the
medicines. 81 percent of the prescribed medicine in the
acetvlsalicyclic acid and paracetamol group was taken at least
twice a week and 72% of the stronger migraine medicines were
taken at least once a fortnight which indicates that the
majority of the patients were suffering from moderate to severe
symptoms. 34 percent had taken medications for ailments other
than headaches.
Three
months after a completed series of reflexology treatments, 81
percent of patients confirmed that reflexology had either cured
(16%) or helped (65%) their symptoms. 19 percent of the patients
re-ported that they had been able to completely dispense with
the medications they had been taking before the study.
The
reflexologist also found that there was a strong link between
headaches and the gall bladder, stomach, bladder, and endocrine
hormone meridians. At the end of the study the patients who
benefited from the treatment showed less stress on the reflex
points for the ovaries, small intestine, bladder, stomach, liver
and kidneys than they had experienced on their first treatment.
The likelihood of successful cure was found to be greatest for:
a) those patients whom the reflexologist found no stress on the
reflex zones of the uterus or gall bladder, and b) younger
patients who had suffered from headaches for a short period of
time.
Brendstrup
E, Launso L, Eriksen L. Reflexions March 1996, 10
Reflexology
& Constipation & Constipation
Reflexology has also been shown to be an effective alternative
treatment for chronic constipation. In a study involving 20
women aged between 30 and 60 years of age, who had suffered with
constipation for an average of 24.6 years, 15 reflexology
treatments produced astounding results. Prior to the study, the
women had a bowel movement an average of only once every 4.1
days but after the course of treatment this was increased to
once every 1.8 days. At the end of the study, 50% of the women
obtained normal stool consistency whereas none had experienced
this before the treatments, 85% reported a positive change in
their digestion, and 55% were able to reduce their use of
laxatives. Furthermore, over 95% of the women admitted to having
other health problems before the study and 80% reported an
improvement in those conditions after the reflexology
treatments.
"Sygeplejerksen"
(Danish Journal of Nursing) 24th June 1992
Reflexology
& Kidney Stones
A few years ago, researchers at Glostrop hospital, Copenhagen,
demonstrated that reflexology can help relieve the acute pain
suffered by patients with kidney stones. 30 patients
participated in the study and were divided equally into three
groups: one group received reflexology treatment, one group
received placebo treatment and the remaining groups were used as
controls.
If
no pain relief was experienced within 5 minutes, the treatment
would end for analgesic medications, but those who experienced a
benefit within 5 minutes, treatment was continued for a further
10 minutes. The results showed that 9 out of the 10 patients in
the reflexology group experienced complete pain relief after the
treatment which lasted for over an hour and in 5 of the patients
pain was relieved for 4 hours.
Medical
doctors Niels Baekgaard and Vibe Hansen, who conducted the
study, concluded that "Reflexology treatment of acute
ureterolithiasis has a pain relieving effect" and when
compared to Baralgin (a commonly administered analgesic), the
findings revealed that reflexology actually works faster at
alleviating pain although the effects last for a shorter
duration.
FDZ
Magazine ‘Zoneterapeuten’ No 6, 1993
Reflexology
and chest pain
ALTERNATIVES in health™ subscriber, Margaret Berker, a qualified reflexologist and
member of the British Reflexology Association conducted an
interesting small-scale study at the Cardiac Unit of the Queen
Elizabeth hospital , Birmingham, UK, into the effects of
reflexology on a group of four patients suffering from chest
pain.
The
patients were obtained from a consultant; all had all
experienced pain for periods ranging between 18 months and 13
years and, cardiac catheterizations revealed that none of the
patients had any identifiable disease of the cardiac arteries.
Furthermore, none of the patients had had reflexology treatment
prior to the study, nor were they encouraged to believe that the
treatment would ‘cure’ their condition.
Reflexology
treatments were given weekly over a period of eight weeks and
the patients were asked to keep a diary to record their chest
pain before and after treatments which specified (a) the number
of episodes, (b) the intensity of the pain and (c) the duration
of the pain.
Analysis
of the data revealed that all of the patients recorded positive
results; three of the four experienced a complete relief from
their original symptoms after nine months and the remaining
patient reported a reduction in pain.
Reflexology
& Mental Health
A
new report from the local association of MIND (Worthing) reveals
the beneficial effects of reflexology and counselling on mental
health patients.
Research
was carried out between May 1996 and August 1997 in which a
reflexologist and a counsellor worked with a total of 74 people
(49 received reflexology and 25 received counselling).
The
report’s findings based upon the observations of the
therapists and the participants indicate that:
•
Physical improvements underpinned feelings of enhanced
mental/emotional well-being for many participants. For example,
the researchers observed that the release of tension through
being able to talk led to greater relaxation, which in turn was
found to alleviate headaches and improve sleep.
•
With the exception of two participants in the reflexology
sample, there was a reported increase in relaxation levels and a
decrease in anxiety levels.
•
The reflexologist noted that participants developed an increased
awareness of tension in the body and an increased ability to
change that state, e.g. they consciously altered their breathing
and their posture.
•
Many participants reported improved emotional status. Fear,
worry and despair reported at the beginning of the study were
considered to have changed into more positive and fulfilling
emotions.
•
There was a general consensus among the participants that an
offer of more complementary therapies would be of overall
benefit within the mental health service.
Perhaps
the most interesting finding of the study was that the
participants tended to make greater progress when reflexology
and counselling were offered together, and the report
recommended greater integration of the therapies.
Although
this was a small, pilot study which by its very nature is
limited in value due to the absence of objective data
measurements or traditional scientific audit, the researchers
hope that it will ‘form the basis for a further controlled
research project, incorporating objective data measurements, or
a comprehensive audit’.
Peta
Trousdell, Andrea Uphoff-Chmielnik. Making connections: user
perception of the effects of Reflexology and Counselling: an
evaluation of a complementary health care project at Worthing
Mind. September 1997.
(Copies
of the report may be obtained from MIND Worthing, 8-10
Durrington Lane, Worthing, W.Sussex BN13 2QB for a charge of £5.)
Reflexology
& Nervous Exhaustion
Recent research from China suggest that reflexology may be
particularly helpful for patients suffering from nervous
exhaustion.
Twenty
patients with a history of neurasthenia (nervous exhaustion)
which had lasted between 1 – 8 years were given a course of
reflexology at the department of physiotherapy, 52884 Military
Hospital.
The
patients’ chief symptoms were dizziness, insomnia, memory
loss, indigestion and headaches. All had previously received
long term medical treatment none of which had helped them.
The
reflexology treatments focused on the areas of the feet relating
to the adrenal gland, kidneys, bladder, sinus, brain and heart.
Those patients who suffered from associated digestive problems
were also treated to the areas of the feet relating to spleen,
stomach, duodenum and celiac, while those patients who suffered
from headaches had the areas of the feet relating to the
cerebellum and trigeminal nerves treated.
The
reflexology treatments were given daily over a period of seven
days and the results were quite remarkable:
40%
experienced complete ‘cure’, further 35% had greatly
improved, and a further 15% had mildly improved. Only 10% showed
no change at all to the treatment.
Duan
Shuang-Feng. Foot reflexology in neurosism: Clinical Observation
of 20 cases. Presented at the China reflexology symposium in
Beijing (July 1993). Reflexology research reports (Association
of Reflexologtists) 2nd edition.
Reflexology
& Children with nocturnal enuresis (Bed wetting)
The
purpose of the study was to clarify whether reflexology is a
relevant treatment for enuresis nocturna, and to test a research
design applicable to controlled experiments with reflexology. An
unblinded method was used comparing a treatment group (1)
receiving reflexology to a non-treatment group (2) keeping the
same record of symptoms. At the start of the study, the volumes
of night urine in the two groups were comparable. By the end of
the study, there was no significant decrease in the volume of
night urine in either of the groups. Two children in the
treatment group and one in the non-treatment group became dry
during the night in the course of the study. In conclusion,
reflexology given as 14 treatment sessions over a period of four
months did not result in a significant fall in enuresis nocturna
in children aged seven to eleven years old. It must be concluded
that the treatment result can not be distinguished from the
conditions in the non-treatment group even though the average
night diuresis in group one showed a slightly decreasing
tendency while morning diuresis increased, in contrast to group
two which exhibited a slight increase in night diuresis. As the
total diuresis remained constant, this could be interpreted as
an increased urinary bladder capacity, but in both cases the
changes were far from significant.
Comments:
Comment in: Ugeskr Laeger 1999 Apr
12;161(15):2224 Sietam KS, Eriksen L Forenede Danske
Zoneterapeuter, Kolding.
Reflexology
& Recovery
According to a 1994 Swiss medical report, foot Reflexology is
one of the most useful treatments for post operative
gynaecological patients. The researchers demonstrated that
reflexology enhances urination, stimulates bowel movements and
so aids recovery. Patients who received reflexology treatment
also showed a much less need for medication than patients in the
control group.
Kesselring
A. (foot reflex zone massage) Fussreflexzonemassage. Schweiz med
Wochenschr suppl (SWITZERLAND) 1994, 62 p88-93
Reflexology
helps increase renal blood flow
Researchers
in Austria studied the effects of reflexology upon renal blood
flow.
32
healthy young adults (17 women, 15 men) participated in a
placebo-controlled, double blind trial. The treatment group
received reflexology at zones corresponding to the right kidney.
The placebo group received treatment on other foot zones. The
blood flow of 3 vessels of the right kidney was measured then
monitored prior to, during and following reflexology. Systolic
peak velocity and end diastolic peak velocity were measured and
resistive index calculated.
The
two groups showed significant differences; a highly significant
decrease showed during and following reflexology. There were no
differences between men and women nor smokers and non-smokers.
These
results are consistent with the hypothesis that reflexology is
effective in influencing renal blood flow and confirms the
results of independent
research that reflexology can significantly help
kidney function..
Sudmeier
l et al. Changes of renal blood flow during organ-associated
foot reflexology measured by colour Doppler sonography.
Forschende Komplementaermedizin 6(3): 129-34 Jun 1999
Reflexology
used for cancer patients
Ten
minute reflexology treatments can provide relief from pain,
nausea and anxiety, according to a report from the School of
Nursing, Division of Science and Design, University of Canberra,
Australia.
Nurses at the School conducted an empirical study on the use of
foot massage as a nursing intervention in patients hospitalised
with cancer. The study was developed from the earlier work of
Ferrell-Torry and Glick (1992).
87
patients participated in the study and each received a 10-minute
reflexology foot massage (5 minutes per foot) . The results
revealed that the treatments produced a significant and
immediate effect on the patients' perceptions of pain, nausea,
and relaxation, when measured with a visual analog scale. The
use of reflexology foot massage as a complementary method is
recommended as a relatively simple nursing intervention for
patients experiencing nausea or pain related to the cancer
experience. The results were so positive that the researchers
recommend that further research using larger numbers of patients
in controlled clinical trials into its effectiveness of
reflexology in alleviating pain, nausea and anxiety in the
management of these symptoms by the family at home is warranted.
Foot
massage. A nursing intervention to modify the distressing
symptoms of pain and nausea in patients hospitalized with
cancer. Grealish L, Lomasney A, Whiteman B Cancer
Nurs 2000 Jun;23(3):237-43
Reflexology
& Childbirth
Whenever
stress and nervous tension are present, reflexology, like
massage and aromatherapy can be very effective in inducing
relaxation. It will also help to 'balance' organs and tissues
throughout the body and, acting through the nervous system,
actually help strengthen and normalise the circulatory system.
In this way, it can help activate the body's own healing force
to aid recovery.
Reflexology
may also be employed to help stimulate the reproductive organs
through the autonomic nervous system and so help strengthen and
correct under functioning organs and balance hormonal function.
Although there are no controlled studies on the subject of
reflexology and infertility, there have been research studies
relating to the effects of reflexology and childbirth.
A
study at the Gentofte Hospital in Copenhagen revealed that
reflexology is beneficial to women during the labour of
childbirth. 58 out of 60 women giving birth experienced
"outstanding pain relief using reflexology treatment",
and 11 out of 14 women were able to avoid surgery under general
anaesthesia. Dr Carsten Lenstrup was so impressed by the results
that he said: "Taken as a whole, the results are so good
that am not in any doubt that reflexology can give many women a
better, easier and less painful delivery than they would have
had otherwise." (2)
The
findings of the Gentofte study were supported by a further study
carried out by Dr Gowri Motva at the Jeyrani Birth Centre on the
effects of reflexology on pregnant women. 37 pregnant women
completed a course of 10 reflexology treatments with remarkable
effect. The average length of the first stage of labour was 5
hours whereas the text book average is 16 - 24 hours; the second
stage of labour lasted an average of 16 minutes compared to the
text book expectancy of 1 - 2 hours, and only 5.4% of the women
who had reflexology treatment required emergency caesarian
section compared to an average of 13% in Newham district which
was the district where the study was conducted.(2)
(1)
Reported in "Berlingske Tidende" 15 July 1988
(2) Reflexology Association - Research Co-ordinator Kristine
Walker
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