2011 STUDY REPORTS: ‘Manually applied Reflexology Increases Pain Treshold & Tolerance’!

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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.

Hands & reflexology: the ‘headache-break hand massage’!

Hands & reflexology: the headache-break hand massage.

Hand reflexology: a hand massage can provide you a headache-break! Olivia Rosewood described a simple reflexology technique to provide you releaf for a serious headache (or migrane). It’s so easy to give yourself the ‘healing handshake’: you can learn the technique in only a few minutes!

Chinese medicine describes that a specific spot of the hand corresponds to the adrenal glands – which play an important role to clear blockages from this glands’ energy circuit, and as a result: these glands bring the life force to these often overworked areas. Olivia Rosewood says: “To give yourself a break from a headache or even just a bit more zip in your doo-da, find the most tender spot between your thumb and forefinger. Use your other thumb and forefinger to pinch this spot from the top and palm of your hand (see the right picture above), the way you might pinch a penny should there be a world-wide financial crisis. Take a few deep breaths, and release this spot when you have an indication that you have unblocked this energy point: usually your pain subsides.” Read more about healing effect of hand reflexology & palm therapy: • The headache-break hand massage: a simple reflexology technique • Hand reflexology can deliver a ‘calming touch’ • Reflexology & massage : the ‘healing touch’ • Palm Therapy: the healing combination of massage & hand reflexology!

Reflexology offers mental and physical health

Interview: Kim Smith, a Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist   SOURCE: Reflexology offers mental and physical health benefits for all ages

Always looking to try something new, I decided to visit the new reflexologist in Lindsay. Kim Smith, a Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist and owner of Solely R and R, just so happens to be a foot reflexologist. Not being much of a foot person myself, I have mixed feelings about this new endeavor. For me, feet are ugly, smelly and while I respect their purpose and function, I’d rather not think about mine – or have them touched. So for this occasion, I had polished and primped my feet as much as possible to pretty them up, prepping them for the treatment ahead. Soft-spoken and welcoming, Ms Smith had me lie back in her surprisingly comfortable chair with my feet up, putting relaxing music on the CD player to enhance the mood. Ms Smith explained that the treatment can be very personalized according to the client’s comfort level and she tries to make each experience suit the client. She began with one foot, and because the treatment tends to make people cold, she gave me a soft blanket for my body and wrapped the other foot in a towel. After a brief warm-up to get the circulation going, the actual reflexology treatment began. The textbook definition for reflexology is ‘a natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the hands, feet and ears which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on reflexes, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body.’ As Ms Smith described it, each part of the foot corresponds to a part of the body. She began at the top of the big toe of my right foot reflexology, explaining that it represents my head. Using a series of techniques with her fingers including hooking, walking and compression, she worked her way down my foot. It did not take long for me to relax and enjoy the treatment, completely forgetting that the thought of a stranger touching my feet had freaked me out just a short time before. As she worked the inner length of my foot (which represents my spine), I could distinctly feel a pleasant tingling run up and down my back. We chatted about Ms Smith’s new business and she explained why she felt reflexology and other natural treatments are the perfect answer to today’s fast-paced world and all its stresses. “Everyone is in such a hurry these days. Everything is so fast-paced on a daily basis. I think it’s important for everyone to just take some time out for ourselves – whether it be reflexology or yoga or whatever.” There are also more practical benefits then relaxation, she said, “It helps to cleanse your body and it will help your organs function better. It is extremely relaxing.” By the time she moved on to my left foot reflexology, I had nearly stopped talking and was lying back and enjoying what feels like a foot massage. Ailments can also be detected through reflexology Ms Smith said, like a disturbance she discovered on the ball of my foot directly below my pinky toe, representing my shoulder. There is a distinct grinding sound as she works the area, and she spends more time on it then the rest of the foot. By the time I got up from the chair I couldn’t believe how relaxed I felt – almost too relaxed; considering that I had to go back to work for the rest of the day. All I wanted to do was slip under some covers and have a nap. The experience was everything that was promised: relaxing, soothing and ultimately very interesting. I was intrigued to learn that our feet, probably the most underestimated part of the body, can be the gateway to total body health. Specific ailments that reflexology is meant to help include: migraine headaches, constipation, arthritis, back pain, allergies, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and many others, but Ms Smith is quick to say that everyone can get some measure of benefit from reflexology. “In the long-run, basically everyone benefits from it. Let’s face it; no one is in perfect health.” Having just opened, Ms Smith is looking for new clients, and can also make house calls for those who are most comfortable in their own environment. To contact Kim Smith at Solely R and R, call: 705-324-1327

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