Reflexology

Reflexology is a safe, natural and gentle form of therapeutic treatment that can be applied to the feet, hands, ears and face.  It is a holistic healing technique that aims to treat the individual as a whole. It works on the theory that following illness, stress, injury or disease the body is in a state of "imbalance" and vital energy pathways are blocked, preventing the body from functioning effectively. Reflexology works to trigger the body’s own natural ability to rebound to homeostasis. It is also thought to release endorphins, which are secretions in the brain that have a natural pain-relieving effect.

The basic theory behind Reflexology is that the feet – with 7,200 nerves, 26 bones and 33 joints – contain “reflexes” that mirror or correspond to all of the body’s organs, systems and structure.  The hands and ears and face also mirror the body. The practice of Reflexology entails the application of pressure techniques to reflex points and zones in the feet/hands/ears/face to interrupt stress patterns between body parts and systems and trigger a physiological relaxation response in the body.

What Are the Benefits of Reflexology?

• Energetic balance of the body’s systems and organs
• Trigger the body’s own natural ability to return to homeostasis
• Boost circulation – vascular & lymphatic
• Aid elimination and the release of toxins
• Provide relief to acute and chronic conditions
• Restore energy and induce deep relaxation

What Medical Doctors Have Said About Reflexology

One of Reflexology’s high-profile proponents in the medical profession is Dr. Mehmet Oz, a surgeon at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City and author of "Healing the Heart." Oz supports the view that reflexology improves blood flow after cardiac surgery. Reflexology is now a regular service at Columbia-Presbyterian.

Bernie Siegel, well-known author and Yale-New Haven Hospital cancer surgeon endorsed Reflexology as “a total healing experience for the whole person”

Both the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Integrative Medicine Service offer Reflexology for pain management and stress reduction.

Dr. Susan Wright, a pain management specialist at Chicago’s Rush Medical Center recommends Reflexology along with other non-traditional modalities such as acupuncture and self-hypnosis to manage the pain of arthritis.

Two of Reflexology’s well know authors and teachers, Kevin and Barbara Kunz recently published their study, "Reflexology Research Project," which looked at medical applications of Reflexology, ranging from anecdotes to scientifically valid studies that link foot reflexology to improvements in a dizzying array of maladies such as diabetes, arthritis, respiratory problems, allergies and asthma.

A Danish study reported that 19 percent of a group of people with chronic headache were able to stop taking medicine after Reflexology. Other studies showed improvements in male sexual dysfunction, hypertension, menstrual problems, labor pains, skin conditions (including acne), back and shoulder problems, sciatica, lactation difficulties, constipation and toothaches.

In 1991 a double-blind research study under the direction of the American Academy of Reflexology was conducted on the effect of Reflexology on PMS. The study, which was published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed a significant reduction in symptoms that goes beyond what can be attributed to the placebo effect.