Hollye Harrington Jacobs (nurse & social worker) recently made a report about her journey in how to deal with breast cancer. Throughout her tumultuous FBC (F-bomb Breast Cancer) journey, each and every day, she looked for Silver Linings. No matter how bad she felt (e.g. laying on the bathroom floor for hours at a time), she describes that she was slways able to find something positive in the darkness of the storm called ‘breast cancer’. Her story describes how foot reflexology can become a valuable tool in the process of dealing with breast cancer.
One of what she calls her Silver Lining, concerned the incorporation of complementary and alternative treatments to augment her conventional interventions (surgery, chemotherapy & radiation).
And guess what? Reflexology is one of the treatments that she found most valuable!
Hollye Harrington Jacobs describes:
“I must admit that I’ve had reflexology in the past and was not terribly impressed or impacted by it. During past treatments, my mind inevitably wandered — and not to philosophical or life-changing topics. More like, “Ho-hum. What’s for lunch today? I’m too nauseous for food. Why am I laying on this table and not hiking? Perhaps I should have scheduled a mani/pedi instead. Buzz (our dog) sure is a loud snorer.” Those type of non-linear, nonsensical things.
However, now I’m in a slightly — actually a completely — different place in my life and am totally focused on well, focusing. Combine this new motivation with the fact that my reflexology therapist happens to be my Pilates instructor and masseuse. She is a rock star when it comes to massage and Pilates, which means that I had complete faith in the potential of a new and great reflexology experience.”
Ear Reflexology can be applied quickly and easily – especially where other forms of reflexology may not be appropriate. There is a recorded story from the Egyptians 3000 years ago who used ear reflexology to treat people with back pains by using a red hot needle on a point in the ear and the pain disappeared. Although Chinese acupuncture is more well-known, the difference is that it is based on meridians – while ear reflexology is based on zones and points in the ear which relate to other parts of the body!
Dr Paul Nogier of Leon is known for making a significant contribution to mapping the ear reflexes. A popular theory is that the ear is often considered to conform to the shape of the foetus in the womb. And according oriental diagnosis the ears belong to the most revealing aspects of the body.
For sure, every ear is unique: and just like fingerprint no two are alike. And each ear can be read to reveal our inner nature.
The Buddha is often displayed with ears round at the top wide at the middle and long lobes reflecting his robuste, strong constitution. In traditional Chinese medicine the ears are associated with the kidneys, for example: the ears have almost the same size & shape as seen in the kidneys!
The kidneys reflect your constitutional strength. Some believe that there is a connection between being a good listener and the quality of the kidneys. The kidneys hold a person’s ancestral inheritance and distribute chi throughout the body. The kidneys also reflect our talents given to us by our ancestors, and some even belief that a person’s life unfolds from his kidneys.
In oriental philosophy the ears reveal a person’s understanding of life. The ears e.g. reveal the constitutional strength of the circulatory, digestive & nervous systems.
People in China believe that long thick ears indicate that the person ill have a long healthy life, and by massaging the pressure points and by examining the texture of the ear one can detect where the so-called ‘chi’ is blocked.
Simple pressure can release these blockages and allow the chi to flow through the organs. Just like is seen in hand reflexology & foot reflexology!
The ear reflexology chart below presents an overview of how the ear is associated with various parts of the body:
Studies suggest that Reflexology is Effective for Cancer, Dementia, Diabetes & Multiple Sclerosis!
June 11, 2011
Recently in a review-study researchers have reported that reflexolology can be effective in the treatment of multiple diseases, including: cancer patients, dementia, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, premenstrual syndrome & symptomatic idiopathic detrusor over-activity.
Reflexology became known as a very popular form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The aim of the review study was is to critically evaluate the evidence for or against the effectiveness of reflexology in patients with various types of medical condition.
The study included a search to identify all relevant randomised clinical trials (RCTs). The methodological quality was assessed independently by two reviewers using the so-called Jadad score. In total 23 studies met all inclusion criteria. These studies related to a wide range of medical conditions. Unfortunately, the researchers concluded that in many cases methodological quality of the RCTs was poor.
The result were: in total nine high quality RCTs generated negative findings & five generated positive findings. Eight RCTs suggested that reflexology is effective for the following conditions: diabetes, premenstrual syndrome, cancer patients, multiple sclerosis, symptomatic idiopathic detrusor over-activity and dementia yet important caveats remain.
The researchers concluded that the best clinical evidence does not demonstrate convincingly that reflexology can be considered as an effective treatment for any medical condition, because the size of the positive effects were not very large.
Unfortunately, the study did not make recommendations regarding the effectiveness of specified forms of reflexology, such as foot reflexology & hand reflexology.
Reflexology Website became the Winner of Best Loved Alternative Therapy in the UK award!
June 8, 2011
- UK Reflexologist Debbie Stevens.
UK Reflexologist Debbie Stevens received the honour at the Worthing Business Awards, Debbie Stevens is celebrating gaining a national accolade: she was being voted by customers for a Best Loved Alternative Therapy in the UK award from leading community website thebestof.co.uk.
Well-being events manager and refexologist Debbie Steven has seen her venture grow considerably over the past three years, attracting a range of clients seeking some pampering to relieve the stresses of the working day.
“I couldn’t quite believe that I’d won as there are 400 bestof websites around the country with everyone voting for their favourite companies. I’ve had so much positive feedback from all the girls who have attended my events and who have voted for me, which is quite amazing,” said Debbie, believing that a passionate approach to her work had been critical to her success to date.
AN INTRODUCTION TO REFLEXOLOGY:
Debbie Steven presents at her website a short introduction to reflexology, featured with a list of problems where reflexology can be applied successfully:
Reflexology is a popular and relaxing holistic treatment based on the principle that reflex points on the hands and feet are connected to corresponding areas throughout the body.
It is a gentle and soothing massage of the hands and feet through which the energy channels and body systems can be reached. It has a balancing, relaxing and healing effect on the whole person and is proven in the treatment of:
- Back problems
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Digestive disorders
- Emotional problems
- Insomnia
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
- Migraines
- Pre-menstrual Tension (PMT)
- Sinusitis
- Stress related conditions
Reflexology is a non-intrusive treatment: the only clothing removed is your socks and shoes.
More reflexology in and outside the UK:
http://www.reflexology-news.com/reflexology/massage-reflexology-centers.htm
SAMCHEOK, KOREA 2011 – Earlier this year a study from Korea revealed that ‘self-foot reflexology’ was effective in reducing perceived stress and fatigue:
TITLE: ‘Effects of Self-Foot Reflexology on Stress, Fatigue, Skin Temperature and Immune Response in Female Undergraduate Students’
CONCLUSION – The results of this study indicate that self-foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention in reducing perceived stress and fatigue and, in improving skin temperature. Therefore, it is recommended that this be used in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for in female undergraduate students.
| Keywords: Reflexology, Stress, Fatigue, Skin temperature, Immune response. | |
2011 STUDY REPORTS: ‘Manually applied Reflexology Increases Pain Treshold & Tolerance’!
June 1, 2011
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PORTSMOUTH, 2011 – A PhD thesis at the University of Portsmouth has revealed that manually applied reflexology can increases both pain treshold and pain tolerance in healthy volunteer subjects!
Reflexology incorporates the use of specific pressure techniques to the feet, hands or ears. There are many anecdotal claims for reflexology in the treatment of various conditions such as migraine, arthritis and multiple sclerosis but very little clinical evidence exists for reflexology in the management of pain per se. Pain is a worldwide concern and 10% of the UK population suffer from chronic pain, making demands on an already overstretched NHS service. Members of the public seek more control over their wellbeing and there is a growing trend towards complementary medicine. Reflexology, one of the many complementary medicine modalities available, may be a suitable adjunct to pain management by helping to reduce the number of medications and associated side-effects from continued drug use. This research therefore, enters at a time when the call for scientific evidence is sought and offers new evidence for the efficacy of reflexology in acute pain. Various experiments were executed in order to investigate the acute effects of the principal aims of applying reflexology under various conditions:
FULL SUMMARY:
An investigation into the efficacy of reflexology on acute pain in healthy human subjects
It appears that there were all together 83 healthy volunteering subjects recruted in the this study - who participated in what appears to be 5 experiments.
STRANGE PATENT – A hand reflexology glove!???
February 8, 2011
Hand Reflexology Glove
The hand reflexology glove displayed above may look like just a funny hand glove design. But it becomes a much more fascinating item in the perspective of a 1993 United States Patent 5199876, named: ’Hand Reflexology Glove’.<
“A glove that when worn by a user quickly, comfortably, conveniently and effectively applies a specific amount of pressure to a particular point on the wearer’s hand, thereby relieving and/or eliminating pain of the wearer such as from a type of headache. A glove worn by the person with pain, such as a headache, includes an internal pressure point applicator and an inflatable bladder to apply pressure to a desired point on the wearer’s hand.”
How acupuncture may work, how about reflexology?
June 4, 2010
 Acupuncture has been used for over 4,000 years, but little is known about the biology that enable carefully placed needles to relieve pain in many patients. In march (2010) Nature Neuroscience presented an innovative study which points to the role of adenosine – an essential molecule found in all cells and involved in providing the energy needed for many biochemical processes. It appears that adenosine appears to be a key in the effectiveness of acupuncture – in mice. Could this also explain how reflexology works as a massage techique to relief pain?STUDY ABSTRACT:
“Acupuncture is an invasive procedure commonly used to relieve pain. Acupuncture is practiced worldwide, despite difficulties in reconciling its principles with evidence-based medicine. We found that adenosine, a neuromodulator with anti-nociceptive properties, was released during acupuncture in mice and that its anti-nociceptive actions required adenosine A1 receptor expression. Direct injection of an adenosine A1 receptor agonist replicated the analgesic effect of acupuncture. Inhibition of enzymes involved in adenosine degradation potentiated the acupuncture-elicited increase in adenosine, as well as its anti-nociceptive effect. These observations indicate that adenosine mediates the effects of acupuncture and that interfering with adenosine metabolism may prolong the clinical benefit of acupuncture.” The researchers mimicked acupuncture in mice by placing and gradually rotating a needle at a point just below the knee, for 30 minutes. Blocking enzymes that break down adenosine made the acupuncture much more effective, tripling the level of adenosine near the needle and extending pain relief from about one hour to about three hours. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING: Is the effectiveness of acupuncture and reflexology related? |
Is reflexology an effective intervention?
May 3, 2010
Last year UK complementary medicine expert Dr Edzard Ernst presented a thorough study on the effectiveness of reflexology. What did the report of the book ‘Trick of Treatment‘ report? “Reflexology: ‘bodywork on your hands & feet!‘“ Reflexology was described in the study as a technique that involves applying pressure to various parts of the foot or hands, which is said to have a beneficial effect on other parts of the body. Ernst searched six databases and found 217 trials on reflexology, of which only 18 randomised controlled trials were considered good enough to be analysed. Of these 18 trials, only five yielded positive results, says Ernst. Ernst describes: “Most of the higher-quality trials did not generate positive findings. The best evidence available to date does not demonstrate convincingly that reflexology is an effective treatment for any medical condition.” Ernst says proponents of reflexology argue the method is risk free but he argues it could be “life-threatening” if patients relied on it to treat a serious condition. “There is little doubt that a foot massage is pleasantly relaxing, however specific medical claims should always be supported by sound evidence.” SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING: Reflexology relates to various massage techniques. |
VoiceAmerica & hand expert Kenneth Lagerstrom presented in the 2nd episode of their new weekly radio show about hands: “Your Life is in Your Hands – HAND REFLEXOLOGY“ Kenneth Lagerstrom wrote on his blog: “I will be hosting a new show on VoiceAmerica.com, the worlds largest internet talk radio. The show is titled “Your Life is in Your Hands”, with topics each week relating to the hands (of course). Starting March 30 it airs live each Tuesday at 11:00am Pacific time on Voice America’s “7th Wave” channel.” The 2nd episode of the show was featured with the following introduction about ‘hand reflexology’: “Reflexology is considered a safe and effective method of maintaining optimum health, based on the theory that there are reflex points in the hands and feet which are linked to every organ, gland and part of the body. Through proper manipulation of these reflex points, the body’s nervous system naturally shifts to a state of homeostasis (optimum overall balance). Reflexology is an ancient practice first documented more than 4,000 years ago. After millennia of development and clinical application, Reflexology made its way to the United States in the early 1900’s. Our guest this week is Karen Ball, noted reflexologist and certified instructor since 1989. Listen in to today’s show and learn about how your hand reflex points can lead you to better health.” SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER READING: VoiceAmerica presents every tuesday a new episode about hands – 11.00 a.m. Pacific time, 2.00 a.m. Eastern time, 8.00 p.m. Central European time. |
