Reflexology
Reflexology is an evidence-based method that originates from ancient naturopathic traditions.
Its most important aspect is that by manipulating the feet for example through reflex zones, it may stimulate the whole body, activate self-healing processes and may help enable to set a healthy balance.
Foot massage is recognized as one of the oldest and most known natural healing techniques and may have been used as long ago as 5,000 years.
It is a very gentle way to regenerate and regain everyone's health regardless of age or gender. This method is safe and has no harmful side effects.
The aim is to avert losing our natural balance at all levels: body, mind and spirit.
With its help we may restore and enjoy a healthy, happy lifestyle.
Reflex areas on feet are connected to different parts, organs of the body. By manipulating these zones, every segment of the body may be affected and, through this method, processes may be adjusted. There are more than 7,000 nerve endings on the foot and by stimulating these, the central nervous system, cardio vascular system and the internal organs may be influenced.
Main benefits may include:
- Improve nerve function
- Stimulate toxin elimination
- Enhance the activity of the immune system
- Harmonize blood and lymph circulation
- Facilitate the operation of hormonal system, digestive system, urinary system,
- Promote the functions of genital system, musculoskeletal system, sensory system
- Destress, relax, balance body and mind
Sources of this summary:
Hanne Marquardt, Reflex Zone Therapy of the Feet, 1988
The Original Works of Eunice D. Ingham Stories the Feet Can Tell Thru Reflexology – Stories the Feet Have Told Thru Reflexology, 1984
WM. H. Fitzgerald, M.D. and Edwin F. Bowers, M.D., Zone Therapy Or Relieving Pain at Home, Columbus, Ohio: I.W. Long, Publisher, 1917
Harmonizing body,
mind, and spirit
to induce self-healing!
Evidence-based method
research shows
Reflexology foot massage may:
-Boost the immune system
-Improve blood and lymph circulation
-Stimulate toxin elimination
-Restore hormonal balance
-Promote digestion
-Help with migraine/tension headaches
-Ease chronic fatigue
-Reduce anxiety and depression
-Relax and balance body and mind
Feel great in your skin day or night!
There are many researches to be found on the health effects of reflexology.
The following examples of the impact of reflexology could be concluded from a review that was written by Kunz and Kunz (2008) where they looked into 168 different research studies and abstracts from around the world:
Better blood circulation in kidneys and intestines
Positive effects in the kidney functioning and dialysis patients
Blood pressure was decreased and lowered anxiety
Pain reduction in several conditions e.g. peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, osteoarthritis
Help with migraine/tension headaches
Reduce fatigue
Promote digestion
Increase blood flow to lungs, liver, stomach, pancreas, kidney, and small intestines
Reducing postoperative symptoms
Improve symptoms of sinusitis
Brendstrup, E & Launse, L. (1997). Headache and Reflexological Treatment. The Council Concerning Alternative Treatment, The National Board of Health, Denmark.
Choudhary, S., Kumar, G., & Singh, K. (Spring 2006). Reflexology reduces the requirement and quantity of pain killers after general surgery. Reflexology Across America. Retrieved from Reflexology Association of America website.
Choudhary, S. & Singh, T. (n.d.). Efficacy of reflexology in prevention of post-operative nausea vomiting. Retrieved from Reflexology Association of America website.
Dalal K, Maran VB, Pandey RM, Tripathi M. (2014). Determination of efficacy of reflexology in managing patients with diabetic neuropathy: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014:84303
Ebadi A, Kavei P, Moradian ST, Saeid Y. (2015). The effect of foot reflexology on physiologic parameters and mechanical ventilation weaning time in patients undergoing open-heart surgery: A clinical trial study. Complement Ther Clin Pract., 21(3):188-92.
Ernst, E., Posadzki, P., & Lee, M. (2011). Reflexology: An update of a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Maturitas 68, 116-120.
Gordon, J., Alder, E., Matthews-Smith, G., Hendry, I., & Wilson, D.(November 2010). The effectiveness of reflexology as an adjunct to treatment in childhood idiopathic constipation: A single line randomised controlled trial (The SOCC Project). Paper presented by Amy Kreydin at the Reflexology Associaton of Canada Conference, Winnipeg, British Columbia.
Healey, D, et al. (2002). Nasal Irrigation for the Alleviation of Sinonasal Symptoms. Presented Sept 25 at the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
Frankel, B.S.M. (1997). The effect of reflexology on baroreceptor reflex sensitivity, blood pressure and sinus arrhythmia, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 5, 80-84.
Hodgson, H. (2000). Does reflexology impact on cancer patients' quality of life?" Nursing Standard, 14(31), 33-38.
Hudson BF, Davidson J, Whiteley MS. (2015). The impact of hand reflexology on pain, anxiety and satisfaction during minimally invasive surgery under local anaesthetic: A randomised controlled trial. Int J Nurs Stud. S0020-7489(15)00231-X
Kim, J-I., Lee, M., Kang, J., Choi, D., & Ernst, E. (2010). Reflexology for the symptomatic treatment of breast cancer: A systematic review. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 9. 326-330. doi: 10.1177/1534735410387423.
Kim M.S. et al. (2001). Effects of hand massage on anxiety in cataract surgery using local anesthesia. J Cataract Refract Surg, 27(6):884-90.
Koç T., Gözen D. (2015). The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Acute Pain in Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. Jul 28. [Epub ahead of print]
Kunz, B. & Kunz, K. (2008). Evidence-Based Reflexology for Health Professionals and Researchers: The Reflexology Research Series.
Manzanares, J. (September 2007). The science behind reflexology deposits. Paper presented at the International Council of Reflexologists, Anaheim, California. Retrieved from Reflexology Association of America website.
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Nazari F, Shahreza MS, Shaygannejad V, Valiani M. (2015). Comparing the effects of reflexology and relaxation on fatigue in women with multiple sclerosis. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 20(2):200-4.
Piquemal, M. (September 2005). Global effect of reflexology on blood flow. Paper presented at the International Council of Reflexologists, Amsterdam and summarized by Christine Issel for the ICR Newsletter (Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2006, pp 18-19), reprinted at the Reflexology Association of America website.
Rahbar, M., Wyatt, G., Sikorskii, A., Victorson, D., & Ardjomand-Hessabi, M. (2011, in press). Coordination and management of multisite complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies: Experience from a multisite reflexology intervention trial, Contemporary Clinical Trials. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2011.05.015.
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Song HJ, Choi SM, Seo HJ, Lee H, Son H, Lee S. (2015). Self-administered foot reflexology for the management of chronic health conditions: a systematic review. J Altern Complement Med., 21(2),69-76.
Stephenson, N.L. et al. (2000). The effects of foot reflexology on anxiety and pain in patients with breast and lung cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 27(1), 67-72.
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Ying, Ma. (1998). Clinical observation demonstrated the influence upon arterial blood flow in the lower limbs of 20 cases with type II diabetes mellitus treated by foot reflexology. China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, 97-99.
Weil, A. (January, 2002). The Saline Solution? Self Healing, p 2.
Williamson et al (2002). Randomised controlled trial of reflexology for menopausal symptoms. BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 109 (9) p 1050-1055.
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