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Complimentary science behind complementary medicineThe following information is reported on the official site of the Relexology Asssociation of Australia (http://www.reflexology.org.au). An increasing number of research studies are now demonstrating: a)The physiological effects of reflexology and Baroreceptor reflex sensitivity The baroreceptor reflex maintains blood pressure homeostasis by changes in autonomic outflow. These receptors are situated in the carotid sinus of the carotid artery and the arch of the aorta, and interact with many physiological processes in the body. In a pilot study at the University of Leeds, Ben Frankel measured changes in baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS) in a group receiving reflexology and in a control group receiving foot massage. The measurements were recorded both before and after a 45 minute reflexology/massage session and showed a reduction in BRS in both groups of 60% and 50% respectively. According to Frankel, the results suggest that one mode of action of reflexology is through the nervous system whereby BRS is altered by stimulating the sensory system of the feet. Reference: B.S.M. Frankel, "The effect of reflexology on baroreceptor reflex sensitivity, blood pressure and sinus arrhythmia", Complementary Therapies in Medicine (1997) 5, 80-84 Peripheral Nerve Velocity Physiological reactions to physical stimulation of the reflexes during reflexology was the focus of a Canadian study by Christopher Shirley as reported at the1995 ICR Conference in Vancouver. The study was carried out in the Department of electroneurophysiology, at the Institute of Technology, B.C. Differentiation between foot massage and stimulation of reflexology points on the feet was demonstrated by a decrease in peripheral nerve velocity in the reflexology treatment group which was not evident in the control group who only received massage. Blood Flow Changes Using colour Doppler sonography, blood flow changes of the right kidney during foot reflexology were determined in a placebo-controlled, double blind, randomised study. 32 healthy young adults (17 women, 15 men) were randomly assigned to the verum or placebo group. The verum group received foot reflexology at zones corresponding to the right kidney while the placebo group was treated on other foot zones. Before, during and after foot reflexology the blood flow of the three vessels of the right kidney was measured using colour Doppler sonography. Systolic peak velocity and end diastolic peak velocity were measured in cm/s, and the resistive index, a parameter of the vascular resistance, was calculated. The resistive index in the verum group showed a highly significant decrease (p = 0.001) during and an increase (p = 0.0001) after foot reflexology. There was no difference between men and women or smokers and non-smokers Verum and placebo groups differed significantly concerning alterations of the resistive index both between the measuring points before versus during foot reflexology (p = 0.002) and those during versus after foot reflexology (p = 0.031). The significant decrease of the resistive index during foot reflexology in the verum group indicates a decrease of flow resistance in renal vessels and an increase of renal blood flow. These findings support the hypothesis that organ-associated foot reflexology is effective in changing renal blood flow during therapy. Extract from a recent study at the Universitatsklinik fur Innere Medizin, Innsbruck, Austria: (Forsch Komplementarmed 1999 Jun;6(3):129-34) Headaches and Migraines In 1995 a large Danish study involving 220 patients and 78 reflexologists was undertaken to find out if reflexology was an effective treatment for headaches with results assessed by qualitative interviews before, during and three months after the last treatment. Results were: Cured 16% Helped 65% No Benefit 18% Seventy five percent of the participants stated that their general health had improved and 50% had an increase in their energy level and had become better at preventing headaches. In many cases the therapist became a "catalyst for a learning process and personal development in the patient" (Brendstrup, Launso & Eriksen, 1995). Reference: "Headache and Reflexological Treatment" by E Brendsstrup & L Launso, publ. by the Council Concerning Alternative Treatment, the National Board of Health, Denmark, 1997. Premenstrual Syndrome Bill Flocco and Terry Oleson conducted a randomised controlled study of 52 women suffering Premenstrual Symptoms in 1992. Their results were published in "Obstetrics and Gynaecology" the following year. The 'true' reflexology group reported a 46% reduction of symptoms both physiological and psychological, and the placebo group only 19% symptom reduction. A summary of results was published in FootPrints in March 1999. Reference: T Oleson, W Flocco, "Randomized controlled study of premenstrual symptoms treated with ear, hand, and foot reflexology" Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol 82, No 6, Dec 1993, 906-911. Reflexology in the corporate sector Madsen & Anderson (1993) in Denmark reported on the decrease in number of 'sick days' within a postal service with 1450 mployees. 225 employees received reflexology treatments, with only 2% reporting no effect. The decrease in sick days over a 3 year period saved the company the equivalent of 110,000 English pounds. Reference: L.Eriksen, "A close-up view on company reflexology", 1991, Forenede Danske Zonenterapeute Research Committee. Multiple Sclerosis In an Israeli study by Drora Sha'ked (1997) on clients suffering sensory deficits, spasticity and urinary symptoms due to multiple sclerosis it was determined that reflexology had a positive effect by increasing muscle strength and tone and reducing sensory and urinary symptoms. In the study both traditional and active reflexology treatments were used. Active reflexology treatment is demonstrated by the client initiating the amount of pressure that is used by pushing against the therapist's thumb. It was suggested in the study that the traditional method was more beneficial. Reference: D Sha'ked, "Outcome Report of Reflexology Treatment of Paresthesia and Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients", International Council of Reflexologists' Conference Proceedings, London, 1997. There are many other studies, many demonstrating excellent outcomes for patients, reported on the following sites: http://www.pacificreflexology.com
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