Review of literature on the effectiveness of reflexology. Reflexology works by applying pressure to different parts of the body, usually the hands and feet, that are thought to relate to specific otherareas of the body. However, reflexology is thought to have been passed down through an oral tradition, and possibly first recorded as a pictograph on the egyptian tomb of ankhamor in 2330 bc along with other medical procedures. The findings show that reflexology treatment nowadays has been accepted as one of the ways. Reflexology is a complementary medical approach, which works alongside orthodox medicine, in which pressure may be applied to any body area but is commonly used on either the feet or hands. Reflexology is the practice of massaging particular areas of the body, especially the. The feet became very popular, and over the years, hand reflexology was not used very much. Reflexology is a complementary therapy a deeplyrelaxing treatment that works on many levels that can be taken alongside orthodox medicine, although you do not have to be unwell to benefit from this amazing treatment. The history of reflexology talks about ancient therapies used for healing our body without medicines.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve health and wellbeing. His studies brought about the and practice of reflexology in the united states. Complementary therapies do work along side orthodox medicine and complementary medicine has a history stretching back thousands of years. Feb 01, 2018 the big disadvantage is that you have to spend vast amounts of money to prove it is both efficacious and safe. Much like a traffic jam can debilitate a city, a blockage can cause pain throughout the body. Results suggested that reflexology treat ment indicated a reduction in labour time and in physical symptoms experienced by the expectant mothers. Complementary because it works alongside orthodox medicine and a therapy, as it is a form of specific pressure massage. However, traditional medicine has not validated any medical benefit of reflexology except those of a normal massage. Reflexology as effective as pain killers telegraph. With unorthodox medicines you dont have to do any testing at all. As a complementary therapy, reflexology seems to work better with conventional treatment to treat certain diseases. Reflexology works well alongside orthodox medicine. Last but not least it is an area of research to understand more about links among different disciplinary health studies, especially psychosomatic links.
Reflexology effective pain relief, uk study suggests. An ancient therapy used in china, egypt, and india, reflexology provides effective, holistic treatment for both common and more serious disorders. The flocco method integrating foot hand ear reflexology, is an approach to reflexology that shows how to use all three reflexology maps those on the feet, on the hands and on the outer ears to get far greater results than when working on any one of them by themselves, such as just using foot reflexology. Reed wellbeing, frequently asked questions for complementary. Pdf benefits of complementary therapies researchgate. This ancient system of healthcare dates back at least 5000 years. Reflexology is a complementary therapy in that it works alongside other medical and therapeutic techniques. Reflexology definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Because reflexology is an ancient practice, its origin and history is difficult to track. Aromatherapy uses essential oils to treat symptoms of cancer and its treatment. Multiple sclerosis foundation reflexology is the ancient practice of applying pressure to specific parts of the foot, and sometimes the hands, which are thought to correspond to. They can be employed either alongside medical treatments, in which case they are known as complementary medicine. Denmark reflexology is the most frequently used comple mentary therapy in denmark with studies indicating that approximately 9% of the population have used this therapy launso 1995. Complementary and orthodox medecine can be combined to.
Apr 09, 20 reflexology is a complementary medical approach, which works alongside orthodox medicine, in which pressure may be applied to any body area but is commonly used on either the feet or hands. Ingham, the family guide to reflexology by ann gillanders, complete ref. Reflexology helps your body maintain its natural balance by applying gentle pressure to stimulate reflex points on the feet or hands which correspond to each part of the body. It is gentle, relaxing, yet very powerful and encourages the body to rebalance and heal. Manual pain control techniques are believed to transmit afferent impulses that. A system of massage of the feet based on the idea that there are invisible zones running vertically through the body, so that each organ has a corresponding location in the foot. Department of complementary medicine, postgraduate medical. What is reflexology and how is it different from massage. It is thought that reflexology works through nerve endings, while massage focuses on. The theory that reflexology definitely works with the central nervous system of the body is built on the studies done in the 1890s by sir charles sherrington and sir henry head, who showed that there is a neurological relationship between internal organs and the skin and the. Reflexology is a complementary therapy and works well alongside orthodox medicine. Reflexology is a system of foot massage or sometimes hand massage that focuses on specific reflex points in the foot in order to relieve stress or. July 14, 2004 its free modern institute of reflexology.
Integration between orthodox medicine, homeopathy and. Be very wary of any reflexologist who advises you to abandon your conventional treatment. The benefits of complementary therapies to help with the side. The house of lords select committee on complementary and alternative medicine described reflexology as follows. Respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis, sinusitis, and emphysema, helping to reduce the symptoms involved. Reflexology is a natural non invasive and holistic therapy that is well established and respected in the field of complementary medicine. The therapeutic roots extending back to zhou dynasty, late bronzeearly iron age at about 2500 to 3000 years ago. The theory that reflexology definitely works with the central nervous system of the body is built on the studies done in the 1890s by sir charles sherrington and sir henry head, who showed that there is a neurological relationship between internal organs and the skin and the bodys nervous system can adjust to a stimulus. This clinical setting caters for the use of complementary medicine homeopathy and acupuncture zhen jiu alongside orthodox therapies conventional medicine. History of reflexology reflexology chapter of egypt. Therapist chiropractor pedicurist masseur naturopath bodyworker psychiatrist dentist mother husband andrew weil, m. To use an oriental approach to reflexology, you must gain some understanding of the historical and theoretical basis for chinese medicine.
Pdf integration between orthodox medicine, homeopathy and. Jan 02, 2020 should a christian participate in reflexology. How do the complementary therapy work alongside orthodox. Although it is like a massage, its principles are entirely different. Stroke is a major cause of disability and death in the uk, and this article describes the positive role that reflexology treatment can play in the recovery process. Furthermore she works closely with the local health authority asl. It is thought that reflexology works through nerve endings, while massage focuses on the muscles and soft tissue of the body. Apr 29, 2015 the hospital in pitigliano tuscany is the first hospital in italy to put into practice a model of integrated medicine. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. Sep 14, 2009 complementary therapies do work along side orthodox medicine and complementary medicine has a history stretching back thousands of years.
Reflexologists believe that these reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and that pressing them creates real benefits for the persons health. Fitzgerald worked mainly on the hands, and only later with the feet. Reflexology complements orthodox medicine and helps with the general aches and pains of getting older, studies have shown the benefits felt in more serious complaints, including. Do complementary therapies for arthritis really work. Qualified reflexologist polly hall gives a brief history and outline of the principles behind reflexology. Many gps and hospitals refer their patients to properly qualified complementary practitioners especially therapies such as reflexology. Multiple sclerosis foundation reflexology is the ancient practice of applying pressure to specific parts of the foot, and sometimes the hands, which are thought to correspond to specific glands, organs, and other parts of the body. The same listbased approach has been adopted by survey researchers, who have estimated. Below are the five most frequently used methods in reflexology. Many find it helpful for dealing with physical and even emotional problems. Article the regulation of alternative and complementary. Clients should never be discouraged from receiving medical advicetreatment or from taking any medicines already perscribed to them.
Pdf marketing complementary and alternative medical therapies. Reflexology works in a similar way to acupressure and acupuncture. A system of massage of the feet based on the idea that there are invisible zones running vertically through the body, so that each organ has a. Even though reflexology is a form alternate medicine, it is based on years of scientific and medical research. Combining complementary and orthodox medicine into what is called integrated health is a controversial idea criticised recently in the scrubbing up health column by professor edzard ernst. Associated reflexologists of colorado arc put your best. May 02, 2014 there are many different foot reflexology charts that show where the reflexes are for every part of the body. An introduction to reflexology peipei elliotts total. As a result of this case, implications for future practice include clinical research and the use of study to establish a proven correlation between reflexology and the administration of orthodox medicine in improvements in hypertension and effects of stroke. So by pressing and massaging these points it can stimulate energy pathways in the body. Quietly in the 1980s began the era of complementary and alternative medicine cam around the world.
How reflexology can help destress and balance the body. Alternative therapies only help to complement any treatments or medication the client may be receiving. Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas on the feet, hands, or ears. There are many different foot reflexology charts that show where the reflexes are for every part of the body. Reflexology manual pdf of manual healing methods including massage and reflexology for pain management in labour. Complementary therapies work well alongside orthodox medicine. Do not stop any medical treatments on the advice of your reflexologist. The practice of conventional medicine is regulated by laws that ensure that practitioners are properly qualified and adhere to certain standards or codes of practice. Aromatherapy complementary and alternative therapy cancer. This is a term used to describe a diverse range of health care practices that fall outside mainstream medicine nhs, 2014. Understanding support for complementary and alternative. Last but not least it is an area of research to understand more about links among different disciplinary health studies, especially psychosomatic links are strong and wide. Reflexology works on the zones of the body as well as the different reflexes representing the organs and identifies the sore areas which are out of balance, while zone therapy works mainly on the zones to determine the areas which need to be worked on. Reflexology was one such form of treatment in india and china.
A study by the life science journal discovered that hands and feet reflexology was effective in reducing pain, improving quality of life and total health status on rheumatoid arthritis. In this video, reflexologist michelle ebbin explains the concept of reflexology and how it works. Nov 24, 2008 reflexology complements orthodox medicine and helps with the general aches and pains of getting older, studies have shown the benefits felt in more serious complaints, including. Reflexology what is reflexology and how does reflexology work. Reflexology traces the root cause of this blockage and treats the body system from multidimensional angles, optimizing the energy pathways. Use reflexology to complement drugs in pain treatment. All the information in reflexology is valid and meaningful. Positive health online article reflexology for stroke. Reflexology is an increasingly popular alternative therapy. Reflexology is today a part of integrative and complimentary medicine or, as it was used to say, a part of the so called natural medicines naturopathy. Reflexology procedure reflexology better health channel. A sensitive reflex point indicates weakness or imbalance of an organ or gland.
There is some evidence that it might help with general wellbeing, anxiety and some side effects of cancer treatment. American physiotherapist eunice ingram further developed the zone theory in the 1930s into what is known as modern reflexology. Fitzgerald, an ear, nose, and throat doctor, introduced this concept of zone therapy in 1915. It is now estimated that between 20 30% of the population in the uk resort to various types of complementary and alternative medical therapies generally referred to as cam. Nov 04, 2000 complementary and alternative medicine is popular. It is also now being increasingly used alongside treatments in conventional medicine. The hospital in pitigliano tuscany is the first hospital in italy to put into practice a model of integrated medicine. Reflexology or foot reflexology is a therapy based on the principle that there are small and specific areas of innervation in the hands and feet that correspond to specific muscle groups or organs of the body. If separated from an unbiblical, eastern spiritual worldview, reflexology is something a christian could consider.
Professionals of 2 complementary and alternative treatments osteopathy and chiropractic are regulated in the same way. Reflexology is a complementary medical approach, which works alongside orthodox medicine, in which pressure may be applied to any body area. Although the roots of reflexology go back to ancient egypt and china, william h. The effectiveness of reflexology as an adjunct to standard. Reflexology works with the central nervous system, the immune system and the lymphatic system. Is it okay for a christian to participate in reflexology. Working with the group developing the guideline served as an introduction to. If you have just started practicing reflexology, it. The big disadvantage is that you have to spend vast amounts of money to prove it is both efficacious and safe. The following definition has been suggested by colleagues working at harvard.
Dr michael dixon, medical director of the princes foundation for integrated health, says patients should be able to choose what works for them. A recent telephone survey on the use of complementary and alternative medicine in the united kingdom yielded a one year prevalence of 20%. As a complementary therapy, reflexology seems to work better together with. An act of applying specific physical pressure using your finger, thumb or hand helps in stress and anxiety reduction. In this system, the nerve endings in the extremities provide a map of the rest of the body. Unlike our western medicine, the chinese did not cut the body open, the see it to believe it approach.
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