About Reflexology

• Reflexology is non-invasive, hands-on wellness modality recognized by the National Institute of Health [NIH] as a Complementary & Alternative Medicine [CAM]. That's the same category as acupuncture, therapeutic massage, naturopathy and chiropractic.
  
  Reflexology is based on a map of the entire body charted onto the feet, hands and ears. When alternating pressure is applied to the reflexes on these maps, the nervous system responds with impulses back to the areas in the body that correlate to the reflexes being stimulated. The body responds with an increase in circulation of oxygen and nutrients to the cells, a reduction of stress, and a movement towards balance and normalized function. Therein lies the helping effects of reflexology. While reflexology is not a treatment per se for medical conditions, it has been documented and noted to help the symptoms, and sometimes the causes, of many ailments such as:
  
  Arthritis
  Digestive Disorders
  Fibromyalgia
  Foot pain or immobility
  Headaches and migraines
  Hormone imbalance, including PMS and menopause
  Immune systems disorders
  Infertility
  
• Low back pain and sciatica
  Multiple Sclerosis
  Neck and shoulder pain and tension
  ​Prostate problems
  

Reflexology sessions are done with clients fully clothed, removing only their shoes and socks.   Sessions are typically 50, 60, or 75 minutes long, and clients are positioned comfortably on either a massage table or in a portable reclining "zero gravity" chair.  

The National Institute of Health has funded research for the use of reflexology for cancer patients, as well as for diabetic neuropathy. Hundreds of research studies have been conducted worldwide to underscore the power of reflexology in having a positive impact on everything from asthma to workplace absenteeism. Some of those studies can be found at the links below, and I've highlighted some of the research on my Research Highlights page here:   http://www.reflexologyforbetterhealth.com/research-highlights.html ​  http://reflexology-usa.org/reflexology-research/  http://www.reflexologyresearch.net/  http://www.manzanaresmethod.com/research/ http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/search?q=reflexology https://www.pacificreflexology.com/research ​                             http://reflexscience.weebly.com/ http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/reflexology/what-does-research-say-about-refloxology 

Visit my "For Medical Professionals" page for Research Highlights

 Reflexology reduces feelings of pain -   excerpts from the Univ. of Portsmouth website

Reflexology may be as effective as painkillers, according to a small study carried out by the University of Portsmouth.

Researchers have found that people felt about 40 per cent less pain, and were able to stand pain for about 45 per cent longer, when they used reflexology as a method of pain relief.

Dr Ebenezer said: “Complementary and alternative therapies come in for a lot of criticism, and many have never been properly tested scientifically. One of the common criticisms by the scientific community is that these therapies are often not tested under properly controlled conditions.

“When a new drug is tested its effects are compared with a sugar pill. If the drug produces a similar response to the sugar pill, then it is likely that the drug’s effect on the medical condition is due to a placebo effect”.

“In order to avoid such criticism in this study, we compared the effects of reflexology to a sham TENS control that the participants believed produced pain relief. This is the equivalent of a sugar pill in drug trials.”

This is the first time this widely used therapy has been scientifically tested as a treatment for acute pain, meaning it may be used to complement conventional drug therapy in the treatment of conditions associated with pain such as osteoarthritis, backache and cancers.   Click here to read more from the University site