what is reflexology?

Answer 1

Reflexology
Definition

Reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating predefined pressure points on the feet and hands. This controlled pressure alleviates the source of the discomfort. In the absence of any particular malady or abnormality, reflexology may be as effective for promoting good health and for preventing illness as it may be for relieving symptoms of stress, injury, and illness.

Reflexologists work from maps of predefined pressure points that are located on the hands and feet. These pressure points are reputed to connect directly through the nervous system and affect the bodily organs and glands. The reflexologist manipulates the pressure points according to specific techniques of reflexology therapy. By means of this touching therapy, any part of the body that is the source of pain, illness, or potential debility can be strengthened through the application of pressure at the respective foot or hand location.

Purpose

Reflexology promotes healing by stimulating the nerves in the body and encouraging the flow of blood. In the process, reflexology not only quells the sensation of pain, but relieves the source of the pain as well.

Anecdotally, reflexologists claim success in the treatment of a variety of conditions and injuries. One condition is fibromyalgia. People with this disease are encouraged to undergo reflexology therapy to alleviate any of a number of chronic bowel syndromes associated with the condition. Frequent brief sessions of reflexology therapy are also recommended as an alternative to drug therapy for controlling the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia and for relieving difficult breathing caused by tightness in the muscles of the patient's neck and throat.

Reflexology applied properly can alleviate allergy symptoms, as well as stress, back pain, and chronic fatigue. The techniques of reflexology can be performed conveniently on the hand in situations where a session on the feet is not practical, although the effectiveness of limited hand therapy is less pronounced than with the foot pressure therapy-.

Answer 2

Reflexology, or zone therapy, is the practice of stimulating points on the feet and hands, in the belief it will have a beneficial effect on some other parts of the body, or will improve general health. Scientists and medical professionals consider reflexology to be a pseudoscience[1] , offering no more benefits than ordinary massage.

The most common form is foot reflexology. Practitioners believe the foot to be divided into a number of reflex zones corresponding to all parts of the body, and that applying pressure to tight or "gritty" areas of a person's foot will stimulate the corresponding body part and cause it to begin healing itself.

MORE:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflexology

Answer 3

1. The study of d anatomy n physiology of reflexes.
2. A system of massage in wch d feet n sometimes d hands r massaged in an attempt 2 favourably influence other body functions.

Answer 4

http://www.reflexology-research.com/whatis.htm

Answer 5

Reflexology was introduced into the United States in 1913 by William H. Fitzgerald, M.D. (1872-1942), an ear, nose, and throat specialist. At that time, Fitzgerald called it "zone therapy" and suggested that the foot could be "mapped" to other areas of the body to diagnose or treat medical conditions [3]. Fitzgerald divided the body into ten vertical zones that were alleged to correspond to the fingers and toes. Fitzgerald believed that "bioelectrical energy" flowed through these zones to "reflex points" in the hands and feet and proposed that gentle pressure on a particular area of the hand or foot would produce relief in the targeted zone [5]. Reflexology was further developed by Eunice D. Ingham (1899-1974), a nurse and physiotherapist, in the 1930s and 1940s [6]. Ingham further developed Fitzgerald’s maps to include specific reflex points. It was at this time, “zone therapy” was renamed reflexology. Modern reflexologists in the United States often learn Ingham's method [5].

Eunice Ingham developed Reflexology in the 1930s, based on earlier theory by Dr. William Fitzgerald known as "Zone Therapy". In 1913, Dr. Fitzgerald noted that specific parts of the body could have an anesthetic effect on another area. Developing this theory, he divided the body into ten equal vertical zones, ending in the fingers and toes. He concluded that pressure on one part of the zone could affect everything else within that zone.

[edit] Theory

Several theories have been put forward to explain the mechanism behind reflexology, although none have been scientifically proven.

According to one theory, a reflexologist can break up patterns of stress in other parts of the body by applying “technique”: “Pressure applied to the feet generates a signal through the peripheral nervous system. From there it enters the central nervous system where it is processed in various parts of the brain. It is then relayed to the internal organs to allocate the necessary adjustments in fuel and oxygen, Finally a response is fashioned that is sent on to the motor system. This message is fed forward to adjust the body's tone or overall tension level. Theoretically, if applied properly, the tone will reset itself to a lower operating tempo. A lower operating tempo means a lessening of stress and less wear and tear on the body's systems.” [2]

Another proposed theory is that the body contains an invisible life force, or energy field. It has been suggested that when this “life force” is blocked, illness may result. However, stimulation of the foot can unblock and increase the flow of vital energy to various unhealthy parts of the body and promote healing [5]. In reflexology, it is believed that there is a "vital energy" that is circulating between organs of the human body, that penetrates into every living cell. Whenever this energy is blocked, the zone of blockage will be affected, and the reflex zones can indicate the blockage of energy in different organs. Therefore, if someone has a problem in a particular organ, a reflexologist will press on the corresponding reflex zone or zones, and the person will experience pain. This pain is claimed to originate from the deposition of crystals in the reflex zone and, with massage, these crystalline structures can be broken down and the pain relieved. Simultaneously, the pressure applied to the reflex zones by the reflexologist is claimed to pass through the nerves to dissipate energy blocks. Some other proposed theories include the release of endorphins (natural pain killers in the body), stimulation of nerve circuits in the body ("cutaneo-organ reflexes"), promotion of lymphatic flow or the dissolving of uric acid crystals [5].

According to John Campbell, World famous in Reflexology, "Reflexology is a powerful natural health science that studies the relationship of the reflex areas in the feet, hands and the ears to the rest of the body so that these areas can be worked on with the fingers and thumbs in a manner that will lead to improved health and the maintenance of good health."

[edit] Reported reactions

Case studies, not statistical conclusions, demonstrate that people treated by experts in reflexology report a lot of reactions, including the following: [citation needed]

During treatment

* Feelings of relaxation, comfort, or well-being
* Nausea or discomfort due to emotional reactions
* Client may feel like laughing or crying
* Client may sigh, yawn, or fall asleep
* Temperature change either hot or cold
* A tingling sensation in the feet or through the body
* Pin-stick type feelings in the feet over congested areas

After treatment

* Cold-like symptoms such as a running nose as sinus congestion is cleared
* A cough, as mucus is cleared from the lungs and respiratory passages
* More frequent urination, bowel movements, or flatulence
* Headaches, increased sweating, skin rash, or thirst
* Yawning and tiredness or "Energizable"

[edit] Alleged long-term effects
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* Reduced stress and induced relaxation

Many people try reflexology as their first foray into the world of massage, finding the treatment more relaxing than a general body massage. During the treatment, clients are only required to relax and expose their feet to the reflexologist. Treatment components also include soft music, essence oil and soft lighting, which combine to create a drowsy effect. Clients often fall asleep and describe the experience as the most relaxing hours of their day. After the treatment, they describe themselves as feeling "refreshed".

Approximately 75% of all illnesses are said to be related to stress. Stress can lead to headaches, neck and shoulder stiffness, as well as contracting the common cold and the more serious influenza. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", it is said, and so it is not surprising to see the growing popularity of reflexology as a means of relieving stress.

* Feeling of increased energy

It is claimed that reflexology opens pathways to renew ourselves and boost our energy level, immediately after treatment and for several days afterwards. It could keep us free from the feeling of lacking motivation, tiredness, and inability to concentrate. Reflexology advocates say that reflexology not only relieves symptoms, but also acts on improvements of our body as a whole.

* Other alleged effects
o Acute and chronic conditions
o Stress related conditions
o Sleep disorders
o Sports injuries
o Preventative therapy
o Improvement of mental alertness
o Stimulation of creativity and productivity
o Helping to improve inter-relationships between body systems

[edit] Current practice

Reflexologists apply pressure on "reflex zones" found on the feet and hands which are said to correspond to the different parts of the body. Application is done through thumb, finger and hand technique. Reflex areas, like hand and foot, composed of 7200 nerve endings are stimulated by pressure applied. An improved instruction to every gland, single part and organ of the body could be achieved by such a health science. The body is then believed to pursue a biologically correct, strengthened and reinforced state.

The reflex zones are organized in a way that represents the whole body.

First of all, there should be a preliminary talk with the practitioner before treatment. The reflexologist then begins to work on the client's feet, or hands if necessary, noting problem areas. There may be discomfort in some places, but it is fleeting, and also an indication of congestion or imbalance in a corresponding part of the body. For the most part, the sensation is pleasant and soothing. Reflexology can help relax the client and is believed to stimulate the body's own healing mechanisms. Usually a treatment session lasts for about one hour. For some cases, a treatment can last nearly two hours. A course of treatment varies in length depending on the need of the client body. The reflexologist will discuss this with the patient at the first session.

Reflexology is a widespread practice in Asia, where foot reflexology (also known as foot massage) is quite popular. Although many people are skeptical about the concepts underlying this practice, its use is spreading, perhaps because it is being taken simply as a relaxing massage therapy. Reflexologists do not use foot reflexology only, but a combination of foot and hand reflexology to obtain a much better result.

Sales of foot reflexology equipment, such as rollers, are increasing rapidly. In addition, many new instruments using the same principle are being marketed, such as whole body vacuum cans. Socks printed with reflex zone footmaps were developed based on reflexology. By wearing the socks, people can easily locate appropriate areas to apply pressure to. Though not generally used by professionals, these "reflexology socks" have gained popularity in Taiwan and China. Inexpensive how-to books enabling people to perform the exercises by themselves are also available for self-help practice. Reflexologists advise caution in applying the techniques to oneself, and recommend people to consult an expert before using them if they are pregnant or have a chronic disease.

Advocates claim reflexology is just as effective when used on children as on adults. Some advocates go further and claim it is more effective. Advocates have also suggested that reflexology can also help children create an awareness of self. [citation needed]

[edit] Research

Scientists have studied reflexology for the following health problems, as reported by the National Standard [5]:

Relaxation, anxiety: Early evidence suggests that reflexology may be useful for relaxation, although it is not clear if reflexology is better than (or equal to) massage or other types of physical manipulation. Better research is needed to make a recommendation. Premenstrual syndrome: Two months of weekly reflexology sessions may help reduce the severity of premenstrual symptoms in the short-term, according to early studies in humans. Further research is necessary to reach a firm conclusion. Headache: Early research suggests that reflexology may relieve pain from migraine or tension headaches and that it may reduce the need for pain medication. However, study in this area has not been high quality, and better research is needed to reach a firm conclusion. Irritable bowel syndrome, encopresis, constipation: Preliminary study of reflexology in humans with irritable bowel syndrome does not provide clear answers. One small, controlled clinical trial showed reflexology to be an effective method of treating encopresis (fecal incontinence) and constipation over a six-week period. Further research is needed to confirm these results. Comfort and palliation in cancer patients: Early research reports that reflexology is no better than foot massage in palliative cancer care. Chronic lower back pain: Preliminary evidence in humans suggests that reflexology is not helpful for chronic lower back pain. Better research is needed to make a firm conclusion. Disease diagnosis: Preliminary research regarding reflexology techniques for diagnosing diseases is mixed. Better research is needed to clarify these results. Ear disorders: A study in children with ear disorders receiving treatment from a reflexologist showed this treatment to be less effective (in terms of number of ear disorders, number of antibiotic treatments, number of sickness days, and duration of ear disorders) than treatment given by a general practitioner. Further studies are needed before conclusions can be drawn. Fetal activity: A small study reported that foot massage for three minutes increased fetal activity in midgestation. Hand massage did not increase fetal activity. Further studies are needed before conclusions can be drawn. Foot edema: Preliminary research reports that reflexology is a preferred therapy in women with ankle and foot edema in late pregnancy. Further research is needed before conclusions about effectiveness can be made. Multiple sclerosis: Preliminary evidence suggests reflexology treatment may be beneficial in the management of some motor or sensory symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Additional research is needed to make a firm conclusion. Cancer pain: Early evidence suggests foot reflexology may help manage some cancer pain. Better research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

[edit] Scientific view

Western scientists and medical professionals consider reflexology to be a pseudoscience[1] and claim there are no reliable scientific studies proving its effectiveness as a medical treatment, or that there is any form of link between specific areas of the feet and the various organs of the body. Furthermore, the 'crystalline structures' rationale is unsustained by current understanding of physiology. There is no scientific evidence that healing can be achieved by it or that the claimed "energies" and their supposed pathways through the body even exist. However, research shows the relaxing and pleasurable nature of massage has many medical benefits. This is one of the primary reasons why nonscientific health care procedures can fool honest people into believing that they work. While scientists have conducted studies testing the effectiveness of reflexology, there are potential research problems that constantly crop up. Because it would involve huge numbers of subjects and take a lifetime for the results, it would be nearly impossible to test reflexology's claim that it can prevent or predict future disease. In addition, testing the healing potential of reflexology on sick people raises insurmountable ethical issues, because sick people would be deprived of standard care. Other potential research problems are the patients’ willingness to share information about their health problems and subliminal cuing, referring to signals that people send without realizing that they are doing so [3]. Probably the biggest concern regarding the scientific basis of reflexology, and the primary reason it is dubbed a pseudoscience, is that the theories are untestable or unfalsifiable. In other words, reflexology is a “no-fail” system. When testing an explanation, a set of experimental conditions are established which, if the prediction is correct, will provide evidence that the explanation is correct. If the prediction is incorrect, the established experimental conditions will provide support that the explanation is probably wrong. [2]. With regard to the theory of reflexology, if something is found at an alleged reflex point it is "proof" that the system is valid; if nothing is found, the system still is purported to be valid because it predicts future problems. This method represents a no-fail "heads I win, tails you lose" proposition. As obvious as this may be to an objective observer, it is not apparent to practitioners or clients who have been impressed by the system's seeming validity on a personal experience level. [3].

Prominent skeptic Stephen Barrett, M.D., contends there is no scientific support for any of the theories of Reflexology, and refers to several scientific studies that have shown Reflexology is no better than random chance detecting medical problems.

In a paper titled "Reflexology: A Closer Look", Dr. Barrett concludes: "Reflexology is based on an absurd theory... Claims that reflexology is effective for diagnosing or treating disease should be ignored. Such claims could lead to delay of necessary medical care..." [3]

William T. Jarvis, Ph.D. says: "Reflexology has almost no potential for direct harm, but its ability to mislead well-meaning people into believing that it can be used for screening for health problems, or that it has real therapeutic value could lead to serious problem