Text Box: Just as with a definition there are many theories on how and why reflexology works. In the 2/25/85 issue of Nursing Mirror, Barbara Zeller Dobbs of Geneva, Switzerland, in her article, “Alternative Health Approaches”, describes very concisely some of the theories behind how reflexology works. Reflexology is based on several hypotheses that are not yet confirmed. Some of them are as follows: The energy hypothesis Inside the organism, communication between organ is incessant. It is maintained through a complex system of blood circulating and energy linking the cells. This communication is happening thanks to an electromagnetic field and to vibrating exchanges between body and spirit. This vital energy of the life force is well known in oriental medicine, it circulates in a rhythmical way among all organs, touching all living cells. Sometimes blocks happen on the pathways of this energy and reflexology helps the energy to re-circulate. The lactic acid hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, lactic acid is Text Box: sometimes transformed into micro-crystals deposited in the hands and feet. These deposits stop or disturb the flow of life energy. Reflexology allows these micro-deposits to be crushed and recycled, allowing the energy to circulate again. Hypothesis of the proprioceptive nervous receptors. According to some researchers, there may be a direct and unknown connection between certain parts of the feet and hands and organs in the body. Therefore, reflexing the feet or hands directly affects the different organs of the body. Hypothesis of the relaxing effect. Many physical problems have to do with persistent tension and stress. Reflexology relaxes the client. Psychological hypothesis. Reflexology is a wonderful way to provide physical contact for the sick person. It allows you to show care and concern to the person while decreasing pain. For most practical purposes the concept that best explains how Text Box: reflexology works is this: that stimulating the feet through massage works like acupressure to activate a flow of energy that courses through the body in meridianal zones… (Franz Wagner, Reflex Zone Massage). When pressure or manipulation is applied to the pinpoint nerve endings of the feet there is a nerve impulse generated that follows a nerve pathway to the spine, then to the brain and back to some organ, gland or part of the body. The nerve impulses traveling to these parts bring about a relaxation to the nerves, a stimulation of the blood and lymph flow to the troubled area, thereby bringing about a normalizing effect of that area of the body. R. Blaylock, Reflexology (Nerve Reflex Therapy). Text Box: Reflexology Theories Text Box: Numerous interesting research studies have looked into reflexology and its effectiveness for a wide variety of medical conditions. Generally speaking the results are very positive and show that reflexology can help on the physical as well as the emotional level. Here are a few interesting results: DID YOU KNOW... * 42 women (aged 20-60) participated in a study to assess the impact of reflexology on chronic constipation. RESULT: the average number of days between bowel movements was reduced from 4.4 to 1.8. (FDZ-Text Box: Danish Reflexology Assoc., 1992) * 220 patients presenting headaches (migraine or tension) as their primary problem were treated by78 Reflexologists over a 3-month period. RESULT: 16% reported they were cured, 65% said that reflexology had helped, 18% were unchanged. (Natl. Board of Health Council, Denmark, 1995) Text Box: * 32 cases of Type-II diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into two groups, one of which was treated with a conventional Western hypoglycemic agent and reflexology, and the other group with just the hypoglycemic agent. RESULT: after daily treatments over 30 days, fasting blood glucose levels, platelet aggregation, length, and other factors were greatly reduced in the reflexology group, while no significant change was observed in the medicine-only group. (First Teaching Hospital, Beijing Medical Univ., China, 1993)

Keys to Unhappiness

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If I Had My Life to Live Over Again

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Reflexology and Energy

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Coping with Stress

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Top Ten Effects of Stress

3

Which is Better…

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Text Box: A holistic approach to health and well being Text Box: Heart and Soul Reflexology

Vol 1 Issue 4

August, 2010

Reflexology  ~ Good for the Soul!