Discovering Reflexology
by Rosalind Oxenford
You may
ask: “How can it be that a therapy that works only on the feet (or hands)
can claim to affect the whole body? Surely if I have something wrong with
my feet, I might visit a reflexologist, but how could she/he help with my
asthma or irritable bowel syndrome?” That it does help is illustrated by
the number of people who leave their reflexologist after a course of
treatment experiencing permanent relief from the problems that caused them
to seek help in the first place.
Reflexology
can provide relief because the whole body is represented on the feet and
hands through points that can be individually stimulated to produce a
reaction in the corresponding body part. If I am having a consultation
with someone who has a stiff and painful left shoulder following a sports
injury, it is not unusual for them to remark as I work the corresponding
part on the foot that they feel a sensation of immediate relief in their
shoulder.
Full Article
Alternative therapies win NHS backing
Government watchdog breaks new ground by giving cautious endorsement of some
complementary medicines in treating multiple sclerosis:
The role of complementary therapies such as fish oils, reflexology and t'ai
chi in treating disease are recognised for the first time in official NHS
guidance published today.
The cautious and still only partial endorsement of the possible benefits
from such treatments in easing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis comes from
the government's clinical watchdog for England and Wales, the National
Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).
Complementary treatments are widely used by patients with the progressive,
incurable disease. Even this small step by Nice is a significant recognition
of the avenues pursued by patients desperate to find relief from pain,
fatigue and other symptoms.
It is understood that another clinical guideline expected soon - for
treating depression - will also acknowledge a place for complementary
therapy.
Copyright © 2003 The Guardian.
Full Article
Reflexology
Research, In Brief
Reflexology enthusiasts believe that reflexology
influences each of the body's internal organs and systems as well as
impacting symptoms of illness. Studies have shown such assertions to be
valid for much of the body as well as many health concerns. Research has
shown what reflexology can do: provide an opportunity for those seeking to
"age well," contend with health concerns, improve quality of life, recover
from surgery, and/or address end of life issues. Reflexology has also been
shown to provide loved ones with an effective, non-invasive means of
showing that one cares.
Through each stage of life, the quality of life is
improved with reflexology work. Birthing mothers showed reduced labor
times, colicy babies quit crying, children with fecal incontinence found
their embarrassing problem solved, seniors reduced pain and improved
control over falls. Those seeking to age well will find that research has
discovered reflexology work to on be par with exercise for lowering
cholesterol. In addition, reflexology work provides a therapeutic effect
on a common pathway for aging, cancer and other diseases, the free
radical. For men, reflexology was shown to reduce the enlarged prostate
(hyperplasia) whose symptoms impact urination including frequency,
nocturia, difficulty in starting and stopping urine flow; dribbling and
dysuria. For women, reflexology was found to impact menopause,
menstruation and PMS.
©Kunz and Kunz 2004
Read Entire
Summary of Reflexology Research Here
Stories of
Reflexology Success
(from the Media)
While research and studies about provide important information,
anecdotal stories speak to the people side of reflexology. The following
stories of reflexology success are drawn from the print media.
©Kunz and Kunz 2004
- Ear Infection in Children
- Recovery from Injury
- Recovery from Illness
- Pain Relief
- Birthing
Full Stories
Here, dated, but relevant!
What do all
those ancient footprints mean?
Buddha's Footprints have intrigued reflexologists for years. Parallels
with reflexology and its charts have been drawn due to the symbols shown
on the soles of the feet and the appearance of the footprints in
conjunction with healing sites such as the Medicine Teacher Temple in
Nara, Japan. Trying to find information about Buddha's footprints hasn't
been easy - until now. At
www.buddhafootprint.com you can benefit from the twenty-five
years of research by Dr. Waldemar Sailer. Dr. Sailer notes that
"Footprints of the Buddha exist in Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cambodia, China,
India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, the Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore,
Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Union of Myanmar. Each footprint reflects a
particular time and place in a culture, with their construction materials
varying considerably and ranging from alabaster to silver and gold."
Examples of Footprints, maps of locations, the history - it's all at
www.buddhafootprint.com
Couldn't resist that one from -
www.foot-reflexologist.com
There's also some informed information about the famous
Egyptian depiction of possible reflexology.
Prince Charles Calls for Research, Cites
Reflexology
"Many cancer patients have turned
to an integrated approach to managing their health, finding complementary
therapies such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology and massage
therapy extremely therapeutic." stated Prince Charles. The site was the
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the event was a
conference hosted by five major charities. Other observations by the
Prince included: 80% of cancer patients surveyed try alternative therapies
after diagnosis and 75% of patients would like to see complementary
services made available through the UK's National Health Service. He
stated "'It seems to me that we need to devote more time and resources to
researching and developing integrated approaches to health care... We must
commission and produce research that looks at the efficacy of
complementary medicine while reflecting what patients are using today.'"
(www.princeofwales.gov.uk)
If you know of any good ones - please let us know!
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