| |
It isn't surprising that many people have dismissed
reflexology. After all, there just isn't any obvious reason why a simple
massage of the feet would have any kind of important therapeutic
benefit.
Sure, we
can all agree that it might be pleasurable - even very relaxing - but,
that is about it, right? There is absolutely no precedent for the basic
premise of reflexology that areas of the feet correspond to other parts
of the body, and, that stimulation of these areas of the feet
therapeutically relaxes the corresponding parts of the body!
And yet,
advocates of reflexology have made far-reaching claims about
reflexology. Some recipients have their arthritis completely
cured, been cured of their headaches, back aches cleared up, asthma
symptoms relieved, sinuses cleared, have been freed of their P.M.S.,
ovarian cysts disappeared, stomach ulcer healed – and on and on.
In the December 1993 issue of the prestigious American Journal of
Obstetrics and Gynecology a research paper presented by William Flocco
and Dr. Terry Oleson showed reflexology reduced women's P.M.S. symptoms
by 46 per cent for the eight weeks of weekly treatments. This was
sustained with 42 per cent reduction of symptoms for eight weeks after
treatment. It was not as effective as drug treatments. However,
reflexology had none of the side effects of drugs. The conclusion was
that reflexology should be considered an effective therapy for PMS. This
is the first scientifically accepted reflexology research study
conducted in North America.
Reflexology World-wide
We recently discovered that scientific research of reflexology has been
conducted in other parts of the world. For example, we learned that when
compared to North America there has been a much more receptive attitude
to reflexology in Denmark, with the result that there are approximately
3500 practising Danish reflexologists’ vis-à-vis 3000 practising
medical doctors. Some of these reflexologists are working in medical
settings including hospitals, and large corporations employ some others
for their employees. It is apparent that these corporations find the
resultant reduced sick leave and improved productivity of their
employees’ worthy of employing reflexologists.
Simultaneously, three Danish research studies that report positive
results from reflexology treatment for persons suffering from poor blood
circulation, kidney stones and constipation. Another study indicates
that reflexology was beneficial for women in a number of different
circumstances during childbirth.
Research conducted in Australia evaluated reflexology's benefit for
person's suffering from arthritic pain, unexplained internal pain
and tension headaches. The study reported positive results. Similarly,
in Switzerland, a research study evaluated the benefits of reflexology
for persons with terminal cancer, all of whom were suffering from pain.
The results showed that reflexology not only relieved their pain, but
also added quality to the dying person's life.
And in China, X.M. Wang of the First Teaching Hospital, Beijing Medical
University published "Treating type II diabetes mellitus with
foot reflexotherapy". This study reports numerous symptoms greatly
reduced by reflexotherapy and concludes that it is an effective therapy
for type II diabetes mellitus.
In summation, from around the world, scientific research has shown that
reflexology is an effective therapy for a diverse range of health
conditions: P.M.S., kidney stones, constipation, childbirth, arthritis,
internal pain, tension headaches and the pain suffered by persons with
terminal cancer, and, diabetes mellitus type II. Maybe it is time to
take a second look at reflexology and all the claims that have been
made.
. It appears that reflexology might be the difference between requiring
drugs/surgery, and helping your body to heal itself. In a preventive
sense, it’s the difference between getting sick and staying healthy.
Reflexology therapeutically reduces stress and tension throughout the
whole body. Blood and lymph circulation improves, nerve supply to the
cells is improved, and the release of toxins from the body is increased.
These physiological benefits facilitate improvement in the body's
assimilation of nutrients, elimination of wastes, and the functions of
the immune system.
Reflexology is also a very effective complement to other natural health
therapies. For example, it can facilitate more effective chiropractic
adjustments that hold for longer. Reflexology complements massage and
other physical therapies by reducing stress and tension in the internal
glands and organs of the body, and, by relieving stress from parts of
the body that are too painful to be directly worked on: i.e. whiplash.
Reflexology complements nutritional and herbal therapies and colon
therapy by facilitating more efficient assimilation and elimination in
the digestive system.
Luckily, the instructional video "Recreational Reflexology"
puts the benefits of reflexology right at your fingertips. Helene Meurer
reviewed this video in alive Magazine #128. She states that even her
four-year-old was able to follow the instruction and be effective. In
short this video takes a person step-by-step through giving a complete
foot reflexology session, allowing you, your family and friends access
to reflexology whenever desired.
For others the services of a professional reflexologist will be
preferred. In most communities, reflexologists can be found listed in
the Yellow Pages, or, through your local natural food store. Similarly,
natural food stores have reflexology books, charts and the instructional
video available.
If you have access to the internet you might find it interesting to
explore our website: www.pacificreflexology.com for more
information on such topics as: training courses, research studies,
history, articles, instructional video, books, charts, FAQ, professional
& student clinics, self-help products, Lafuma chairs, Maseur
sandals, referral directory od reflexologists, and more...
|
|
