Reflexology
Reflexology is a type of complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM). CAM involves treatments are used to assist conventional
treatment or used to replace it. The House of Lords Committee for Science and
Technology considers reflexology to be therapies that are used to accompany
conventional medicine. The popularity of CAM has increased over the years
because people are preferring more holistic ways to stay healthy.1
Introduction
Reflexology is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological
complementary therapy. It is the science of studying human health using certain
particular reflex areas or reflexology areas that exist of the feet, ears, and
hands. Literature reports that reflexology may correct dysfunction in organs
and set up homeostasis in the functioning of organs.2
Reflexology is based on the premise that the skin
areas of the hands, ears, or feet represent the targeted body parts. When
impulses are induced in the reflexology areas by external stimulation of a
particular intensity, they reach the targeted parts of the body through nerve
pathways or through activities similar to hormones. These impulses correct the
abnormal functioning of the targeted body parts, if any. The working principle
of reflexology is said to be similar to acupuncture.2
Reflexology has been believed to have been first
practiced in China over 5,000 years ago. In the United States, the first
practitioner of reflexology was Dr. William Fitzgerald. He named the practice
“Zone Therapy” in 1913. His notion was that the body was categorized of 10
zones running lengthwise down the body.
Putting pressure to these zones located on the feet stimulates the
targeted organs of the body.5
In the 1930s, Eunice D. Ingham adapted the Zone
Therapy to suggest that certain pressure points on the feet correspond to
organs in the body. She designed a “foot reflexology map” which is used as a
“map” by modern reflexologists.5
Benefits
Here is a list of benefits of reflexology:
- · Improves the quality of life of patients suffering from cancer
- · Decreases pain and anxiety in patients suffering from breast and lung cancer and premenstrual syndrome
- · Decreases the frequency of seizures
- · Improves the quality of life in intractable epilepsy2
Scientific research
- · Jones et al., 2012 (Scotland, U.K.) – A double blind randomized controlled study on reflexology concluded that there may be a link between reflexology stimulation to the heart reflex area and cardiac blood flow and circulation.2
- · Ruiz-Padial et l., 2012 (Spain) – A randomized controlled study concluded that increase in blood pressure in the reflexology group suggests a “co-activation of the two branches of the two branches of the autonomic nervous system,” that is to say, the sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways.2
Method
Surface features that can be externally recorded,
either in combination with reflexology areas or singly, are:
- · Tenderness in response to pressure
- · Skin color – reddish brown, brown or dark brown, black
- · Texture – recurring corns, cracking or scaling skin
- · Formation of concavity or convexity – depression, puffiness or swelling
- · Rise in localized temperature
- · Change in electrical impedance
- · Perceived presence of tiny granules3
Reflexology triggers specific physical and
physiological responses. Reflexology hastens a deep sense of relaxation. Since
about 75% of disease is related to stress, it helps regain good health faster.
Reflexology also stimulates free flow of blood and lymph to the cells and
tissues. After treatment, a significant and beneficial rise in temperature
occurs which may last for several hours. Lastly, reflexology stimulates the
flow of energy to the nerves, revitalizing it.4
Side effects
Reflexology is usually considered to be safe for most
people. Some people have some side effects such as fatigue, flu-like symptoms,
and nausea. Also, pregnant women and breast-feeding women should avoid
reflexology to be safe, although no harmful effects have been reported so far.5
References:
1. McCullough JE, Liddle SD, Sinclair M, Close C,
Hughes CM. The
physiological and biochemical outcomes associated with a reflexology treatment:
a systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:502123.
doi: 10.1155/2014/502123. Epub 2014 May 5. Review. PubMed PMID: 24883067;
PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4026838.
2. Dalal K, Maran VB, Pandey RM, Tripathi M. Determination
of efficacy of reflexology in managing patients with diabetic neuropathy: a
randomized controlled clinical trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
2014;2014:843036. doi: 10.1155/2014/843036. Epub 2014 Jan 9. PubMed PMID:
24527055; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3913279.
3. Dalal K, Elanchezhiyan D, Das R, Dalal D, Pandey
RM, Chatterjee S, Upadhyay AD, Maran VB, Chatterjee J. Noninvasive
characterisation of foot reflexology areas by swept source-optical coherence
tomography in patients with low back pain. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
2013;2013:983769. doi: 10.1155/2013/983769. Epub 2013 Mar 11. PubMed PMID:
23662156; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3608122.
4. Pitman V.,
MacKenzie. Reflexology:
A Practical Approach. Nelson Thornes; 2002. 278 p.
Comments