Reflexology in Medical Practice Reflexology today is used as a complement to many forms of standard medical treatment. It is especially beneficial for: long term chronic illness stress depression insomnia poor cardiovascular or lymphatic circulation musculo/skeletal pain hypertension headaches and migraines asthma and other respiratory problems constipation and IBS sinus problems menstrual irregularities, PMS, menopausal symptoms post-operative recovery over-reliance on drugs symptoms for which there is no underlying pathology care of the terminally ill Which patients can benefit? As reflexology is a gentle, holistic therapy, patients of all ages can benefit, from babies to senior citizens. There are very few contraindications although certain conditions require a close liaison between the reflexologist and medical practitioner. Medical theory on how Reflexology works Dr William Fitzgerald, an American ear, nose and throat specialist during the early 20th century first documented the analgesic and anaesthetising effects of working on points of the hands and feet. He found that the application of pressure on the various ‘zones’ not only relieved pain but also relieved its underlying cause. In the 1930s, Eunice Ingham, using ‘zone therapy’, showed that the reflexes on the feet are an exact mirror image of the organs in the body and found that, in addition to acting as an analgesic and anaesthetic, reflexology can also act as a stimulant. Although there is, as yet, no unified theory as to how reflexology works, any or all of the following processes are likely to result: deep muscle relaxation and the relief of tension and stress improvement in cardiovascular and lymphatic circulation stimulation and inhibition of nerve impulses to the brain, particularly those involving the autonomic nervous system reduction of pain through gate control and stimulation of endorphin production stimulation of the process of proprioception and adaptive changes in other systems stimulation of the key points on the acupuncture meridians effects on the body’s electromagnetic field The enormous healing benefits of reflexology are now widely recognised by the medical profession, with many GPs now referring patients for reflexology as a complement to conventional medicine. Validation for Reflexology Research into the effectiveness of complementary therapies is becoming more prevalent. Reflexology is no exception. Some recent reports include: 1. A study in Denmark of 116 patients presenting a range of 15 conditions resulted in 75% of those treated with reflexology reporting primary benefits, and 63% reporting secondary benefits. 2. A large post office that has employed a full-time reflexologist since 1990 reported a saving of around £100,000 a year following a reduction of absenteeism due to sickness of 13%. 3. A GP’s independent study of 64 pregnant women showed a significantly reduced labour time for all those who had received regular reflexology. 4. A study (published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology) of women suffering from severe PMS showed a significant reduction of symptoms in those given reflexology, compared with control and placebo groups. 5. A study of patients in the Trauma Unit at the Prince of Wales Orthopaedic Hospital in Cardiff showed that those who had received reflexology went home on average 3-5 days earlier than other patients. 6. Studies in the United States, Mexico and South Africa with children suffering from mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism and perceptual and emotional problems have shown significant improvement in those who have received reflexology. 7. Major trials with reflexology are currently underway in the Oncology units at the Hammersmith and Queen Elizabeth hospitals. The following effects of reflexology have also been confirmed by medical tests or monitoring, although not subject to controlled clinical trials: Normalising high blood pressure Increasing white blood cell count Increasing haemoglobin levels Increasing blood flow to the brain in patients with migraines Improving peak flow levels amongst asthmatics Improving blood sugar levels in diabetic patients Relieving chronic constipation Reducing anxiety/depression Information supplied by the Association of Reflexologists.