- by Theresa Klepper
Surgery can be an intimidating and, often times, terrifying process to experience. Pain results from being cut open in any way, yet the real pain begins upon waking. To deal with this pain, post-operative patients are given much attention from nurses and doctors as well as a lot of pain medicine.
What if there is more we can do to help decrease the pain and the pain medication? What if there is another way to ease the pain while at the same time helping the body to heal itself?
Dr. Schweta Choudary PhD, Dr. Guresh Kumar, and Dr. Kulwant Singh performed a research experiment on post operative patients. These doctors wanted to measure how reflexology may affect the pain levels of those recovering from surgery. Their theory was that post-operative pain is caused by cutting of the pain fibers or irritation of the pain nerve endings. Therefore, performing an action that speaks directly to the Central Nervous System, calming and telling it to balance itself out would in fact ease the pain. They were right in their theory.
The research study consisted of 60 patients who had undergone general surgery. These patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (12 Males and 20 Females) received the standard quantity of the standard drugs as well as reflexology sessions. Group 2 (12 Males and 16 Females) received the standard quantity of the standard drugs. The standard drugs were Opioids as well as NSAID (Diclofenac).
The pain of both groups was measured using a visual analog scale from 0-10.
In Group 1, the pain was measured using a time scale of 0, 2, 6, and 24 hours plus 20 minutes prior to each interval hour. Group 1 received a reflexology session 20 minutes prior to each time interval so that they're pain was measured before and after receiving a reflexology treatment. The reflexology treatment consisted of a 15-20 minute session targeting the area where surgery was performed as well as pain areas.
In Group 2, the pain scale was measured at 0, 2, 6, and 24 hour intervals only.
The result was that Group 1 showed significant decrease in pain as well as decrease in the required quantity of pain killers as compared to Group 2.
From the results, we can gather that regular reflexology treatments ease pain greatly. Not only can the treatments ease pain, they can also substitute as a pain killer as we can see with the decrease of pain medicine.
Reflexology is easy to do to yourself and can be applied for years after undergoing any surgery. If you're looking for something to use for years to come to ease your pain in a holistic body/immune/nervous system strengthening way - reflexology is your answer!
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Foot Reflexology vs Foot Massage
- by Theresa Klepper
I was chatting with my boyfriend the other day about the wonderful benefits of Reflexology. He asked "does receiving a foot massage have the same affects as foot reflexology?" That got me thinking, hmmm... I'm not sure. Let's turn to the research.
Many studies illustrate that both modalities aid in relaxing and releasing stress. However, there are certain benefits that the patient will receive solely from Reflexology. When dividing patients up into two groups with one receiving foot massage and the other receiving foot reflexology, the concluding report was that the patients receiving the foot massage did not have the same experience. Their symptoms remained. The group that received Reflexology was cured of their symptoms.
Pressing on the reflex points does a couple of things: floods the associated organ with oxygen (measured on fMRI), brings the patient to a super relaxed and meditative state (measured brainwaves on EEG), decreases pain, and raises the body's response to stressors. None of these effects occur with massage.
Foot massage does not systematically go through each organ in the body and press on its reflex point. It does work locally on the soft tissue and eases muscle pain and soreness.
More generally said, Reflexology works the nerve endings and massage works the soft tissue and muscles. In turn, they each yield different results throughout the body.
I was chatting with my boyfriend the other day about the wonderful benefits of Reflexology. He asked "does receiving a foot massage have the same affects as foot reflexology?" That got me thinking, hmmm... I'm not sure. Let's turn to the research.
Many studies illustrate that both modalities aid in relaxing and releasing stress. However, there are certain benefits that the patient will receive solely from Reflexology. When dividing patients up into two groups with one receiving foot massage and the other receiving foot reflexology, the concluding report was that the patients receiving the foot massage did not have the same experience. Their symptoms remained. The group that received Reflexology was cured of their symptoms.
Pressing on the reflex points does a couple of things: floods the associated organ with oxygen (measured on fMRI), brings the patient to a super relaxed and meditative state (measured brainwaves on EEG), decreases pain, and raises the body's response to stressors. None of these effects occur with massage.
Foot massage does not systematically go through each organ in the body and press on its reflex point. It does work locally on the soft tissue and eases muscle pain and soreness.
More generally said, Reflexology works the nerve endings and massage works the soft tissue and muscles. In turn, they each yield different results throughout the body.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Reflexology and Asthma
- by Theresa Klepper
Time and time again I see children with the same symptoms; a phlegmy cough and tight, short breaths. Doctors who are all too familiar and all too quick to diagnose it as asthma and prescribe chemicals to a still developing Respiratory system. What is a self-healing, all natural, extremely effective solution? Say it with me people, Reflexology! By all means, don't go off my word alone. Let's check out the research.
One study performed in Jiangsu Province of China, marked the effect of Reflexology on Infantile Bronchial Asthma. The study was comprised of 45 patients, 25 boys and 20 girls. The children aged from 5 months-7 years old with an average age of 3.8 years old. The range of the disease in each patient was 3-63 months. The treatment entailed a 40-50 minute session of Reflexology every day for a duration of 12 weeks. At the end of the course, all 45 cases were healed of all clinical symptoms of the disease. (Hui-xian, Duanmu. Health Center for Women and Children. Haimen Jiangsu Province, China. www.pacificreflexology.com/abstract/Respiratory )
Another study, this one by the National Institute of Health, had slightly different results. The study was performed with a total of 40 adults. Twenty adults were put into a Placebo group and 20 into the real treatment group. Each group received Reflexology treatments daily for 10 weeks. The results were the same for both groups. The objective lab data (peak flow measured morning and night and spirometry tests) didn't change. However, the patients quality of life, symptoms, bronchiole sensitivity to the histamine and beta2 histamine all improved.
The results of the second research project demonstrate that both groups benefited from Reflexology. Once again, it is uncertain whether the disease is helped because of the boost to the immune system, boost of oxygen and reduction in stress, or is it due to strictly working the lung/throat/bronchiole reflexes. We see that within 10 weeks the patient's bronchioles became much more sensitive to the histamine i.e. less medication needed. Not only was less medication needed, but the symptoms decreased at the same time i.e. even while intaking lesser amounts of medication, the symptom of the disease is also decreasing. It's possible that over a larger portion of time, patients would experience more effects on the objective lab data. (National Center for Biotechnology Information. National Institute of Health. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11266233 )
There are several more cases of Respiratory diseases including Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, pnemonia, asthma, bronchitis, or bronchial asthma all being helped significantly by Reflexology. In these cases, it could be the fact of working the lung and bronchiole reflex areas that aid in recovery. It could also be the immune system boost and increased levels of oxygen throughout the body that help recovery.
No one wants to feel restricted while breathing, let alone to see your child having difficulty breathing. Yet why introduce chemicals to still developing lungs when our bodies have an incredible capacity to heal themselves? Pressing on certain reflex points initiates the body's self-healing potential. We can heal ourselves with a little foot rub!
******Reflexology should never be used as an emergency treatment for asthma but as a regular (daily or weekly) treatment plan to reduce asthmatic symptoms. ******
Time and time again I see children with the same symptoms; a phlegmy cough and tight, short breaths. Doctors who are all too familiar and all too quick to diagnose it as asthma and prescribe chemicals to a still developing Respiratory system. What is a self-healing, all natural, extremely effective solution? Say it with me people, Reflexology! By all means, don't go off my word alone. Let's check out the research.
One study performed in Jiangsu Province of China, marked the effect of Reflexology on Infantile Bronchial Asthma. The study was comprised of 45 patients, 25 boys and 20 girls. The children aged from 5 months-7 years old with an average age of 3.8 years old. The range of the disease in each patient was 3-63 months. The treatment entailed a 40-50 minute session of Reflexology every day for a duration of 12 weeks. At the end of the course, all 45 cases were healed of all clinical symptoms of the disease. (Hui-xian, Duanmu. Health Center for Women and Children. Haimen Jiangsu Province, China. www.pacificreflexology.com/abstract/Respiratory )
Another study, this one by the National Institute of Health, had slightly different results. The study was performed with a total of 40 adults. Twenty adults were put into a Placebo group and 20 into the real treatment group. Each group received Reflexology treatments daily for 10 weeks. The results were the same for both groups. The objective lab data (peak flow measured morning and night and spirometry tests) didn't change. However, the patients quality of life, symptoms, bronchiole sensitivity to the histamine and beta2 histamine all improved.
The results of the second research project demonstrate that both groups benefited from Reflexology. Once again, it is uncertain whether the disease is helped because of the boost to the immune system, boost of oxygen and reduction in stress, or is it due to strictly working the lung/throat/bronchiole reflexes. We see that within 10 weeks the patient's bronchioles became much more sensitive to the histamine i.e. less medication needed. Not only was less medication needed, but the symptoms decreased at the same time i.e. even while intaking lesser amounts of medication, the symptom of the disease is also decreasing. It's possible that over a larger portion of time, patients would experience more effects on the objective lab data. (National Center for Biotechnology Information. National Institute of Health. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11266233 )
There are several more cases of Respiratory diseases including Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, pnemonia, asthma, bronchitis, or bronchial asthma all being helped significantly by Reflexology. In these cases, it could be the fact of working the lung and bronchiole reflex areas that aid in recovery. It could also be the immune system boost and increased levels of oxygen throughout the body that help recovery.
No one wants to feel restricted while breathing, let alone to see your child having difficulty breathing. Yet why introduce chemicals to still developing lungs when our bodies have an incredible capacity to heal themselves? Pressing on certain reflex points initiates the body's self-healing potential. We can heal ourselves with a little foot rub!
******Reflexology should never be used as an emergency treatment for asthma but as a regular (daily or weekly) treatment plan to reduce asthmatic symptoms. ******
Monday, August 11, 2014
Reflexology and High Blood Pressure: The Research
- by Theresa Klepper
Reflexology and lowering your blood pressure...the two don't seem like they'd be related. I'm here to explain how they go hand-in-hand. There are so many factors affecting blood pressure - diet, stress levels, genetics etc. How can you help yourself out of a lifestyle that is overly dependant on medication? How can you help your body regulate blood pressure? The answer is Reflexology.
Many people wonder what Reflexology is. For those who are curious, the next question is, how the does it work? Reflexology is specific and effective. Each condition has been divided up into “problem areas.” When working on the foot, we address the group of points that will help the specific condition. You can’t just press a point over here and expect it to affect something over there. It has to be the specific point that’s linked to a specific organ. Each ailment requires a distinct treatment plan and session.
Dr. Jesus Manzanares, MD from Spain, has performed several fascinating research projects on Reflexology. His main focus has been to demonstrate how touching a reflex on the foot communicates to a specific body system or organ. When this type of research was performed on High Blood Pressure patients, the results were absolutely astonishing.
There are several studies that illustrate how Reflexology affects HBP, however this specific one by Dr. Manzanares caught my eye. The study consisted of 54 people, 34 females and 20 males. The subjects were divided into four groups. The groups were formed based on their medications. Group 1 took Enalapril. Group 2 took Enalapril plus a diuretic. Group 3 took Propranolol and Group 4 took no medications, only dietary guidelines. Each of these groups was then divided into two subgroups, a and b.
Two protocols were created. The Placebo Protocol worked on areas that do not affect High Blood Pressure. In this case it was the lungs, lumbar spine, and stomach. The High Blood Pressure Protocol worked on areas that do affect High Blood Pressure. These reflexes are the diaphragm, solar plexus, pituitary, adrenals, and kidneys.
“Subgroup a” received HBP protocol and “Subgroup b” received the Placebo Protocol. Therefore, each main group was cut in half and one of these halves received a placebo while the other half received the real deal. All of the groups received Reflexology twice a week for 10 weeks, for a total of 20 sessions. Each session was 5-10 minutes long.
After the 20 sessions had been completed, the patient’s blood pressure was measured. Groups 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a were able to lower their blood pressure while also cutting their medication intake in half. The groups that received the Placebo Protocol were able to lower their intake of medication by the following percentages. Group 1b: 5%, Group 2b: 0%, Group 3b: 0%, Group 4b: 16%.
The results of this study demonstrate that High Blood Pressure is significantly helped by routinely receiving Reflexology. The patients who received the HBP Protocol were able to lower their medication intake while also maintaining normal blood pressure. More than this, the results also demonstrate that the diagrams and foot maps are significant and the corresponding areas actually do correspond. When you press a reflex point you are directly communicating to that organ via the nervous system. We can also gather that there is a set of points that will most effectively work together to address any ailment in the body.
Stay Tuned!
Reflexology and lowering your blood pressure...the two don't seem like they'd be related. I'm here to explain how they go hand-in-hand. There are so many factors affecting blood pressure - diet, stress levels, genetics etc. How can you help yourself out of a lifestyle that is overly dependant on medication? How can you help your body regulate blood pressure? The answer is Reflexology.
Many people wonder what Reflexology is. For those who are curious, the next question is, how the does it work? Reflexology is specific and effective. Each condition has been divided up into “problem areas.” When working on the foot, we address the group of points that will help the specific condition. You can’t just press a point over here and expect it to affect something over there. It has to be the specific point that’s linked to a specific organ. Each ailment requires a distinct treatment plan and session.
Dr. Jesus Manzanares, MD from Spain, has performed several fascinating research projects on Reflexology. His main focus has been to demonstrate how touching a reflex on the foot communicates to a specific body system or organ. When this type of research was performed on High Blood Pressure patients, the results were absolutely astonishing.
There are several studies that illustrate how Reflexology affects HBP, however this specific one by Dr. Manzanares caught my eye. The study consisted of 54 people, 34 females and 20 males. The subjects were divided into four groups. The groups were formed based on their medications. Group 1 took Enalapril. Group 2 took Enalapril plus a diuretic. Group 3 took Propranolol and Group 4 took no medications, only dietary guidelines. Each of these groups was then divided into two subgroups, a and b.
Two protocols were created. The Placebo Protocol worked on areas that do not affect High Blood Pressure. In this case it was the lungs, lumbar spine, and stomach. The High Blood Pressure Protocol worked on areas that do affect High Blood Pressure. These reflexes are the diaphragm, solar plexus, pituitary, adrenals, and kidneys.
“Subgroup a” received HBP protocol and “Subgroup b” received the Placebo Protocol. Therefore, each main group was cut in half and one of these halves received a placebo while the other half received the real deal. All of the groups received Reflexology twice a week for 10 weeks, for a total of 20 sessions. Each session was 5-10 minutes long.
After the 20 sessions had been completed, the patient’s blood pressure was measured. Groups 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a were able to lower their blood pressure while also cutting their medication intake in half. The groups that received the Placebo Protocol were able to lower their intake of medication by the following percentages. Group 1b: 5%, Group 2b: 0%, Group 3b: 0%, Group 4b: 16%.
The results of this study demonstrate that High Blood Pressure is significantly helped by routinely receiving Reflexology. The patients who received the HBP Protocol were able to lower their medication intake while also maintaining normal blood pressure. More than this, the results also demonstrate that the diagrams and foot maps are significant and the corresponding areas actually do correspond. When you press a reflex point you are directly communicating to that organ via the nervous system. We can also gather that there is a set of points that will most effectively work together to address any ailment in the body.
Stay Tuned!
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Massage vs. Reflexology: What is the difference??
I have some extra money and want to pamper myself, should I go for foot reflexology or full body massage?
Many would respond full body massage, of course! The answer is absolutely your choice, but me personally would not go for the massage. I would choose Reflexology. And here's why...
A bit about the two healing modalitites that are so often confused:
Massage is the direct manipulation of muscles, tendons, and connective tissue. There are many different styles:
Hopefully this post helps one to differentiate between Reflexology and Massage as well as help to fully understand the process behind each method. The difference is simply that Reflexology gently communicates to any organ or body system via the nervous system by pressing reflex points. Massage provides relaxation and increased blood flow (including all the wonderful healing effects from these two) only to the area being worked on.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next post!
Many would respond full body massage, of course! The answer is absolutely your choice, but me personally would not go for the massage. I would choose Reflexology. And here's why...
- Full body relaxation
- Burst of oxygen throughout entire body
- Every cell, body system, or organ moving to balance
- Can receive post op
- Can receive while injured
- Can receive with clothing on
A bit about the two healing modalitites that are so often confused:
Massage is the direct manipulation of muscles, tendons, and connective tissue. There are many different styles:
- Swedish-Smooth and long strokes along muscles
- Shiatsu-Detailed pin pointed pressing usually with thumbs
- Deep Tissue-Heavy pressure along muscles usually with elbows
- Rolfing-Manipulation of skeleton by pressing deep enough to allow connective tissue to rearrange its hold on the bones.
- Lomi Lomi-Hawaiian method of massage. Uses mostly long strokes with forearms and elbows.
- Thai-Traditional Thai massage uses mostly compression along meridian lines and streches.
The effect of massage is localized to the one specific area being worked on. The only muscles affected are the ones being pressed. Here is one article that explains what I mean. Click on the link that is highlighted to read the article. Science Daily Massage Research. The study illustrates how massage brings oxygen to the area being worked on and how that oxygen helps to heal that area by lowering inflammation.
Reflexology, on the other hand, is quite different. When a reflex point is pressed, it communicates to the body via the nervous system. The patient will receive the same affect as massage (relaxation and circulation) except it will reach the entire body. A practicioner can access your liver, stomach, spleen, or even adrenal gland indirectly. Since the pressure doesn't need to be applied locally, the patient can be injured and still receive the wonderful healing powers of increased oxygen and blood flow to the injured area.
Pressing specific points sends a message to the brain to normalize the body. In this way, Reflexology is a vehicle for strengthening our bodies own healing potential. It can help bring the body back to balance and strengthen the body's ability to respond to stressors. Here is an article from Inner Edge about Reflexology and Stress.
Hopefully this post helps one to differentiate between Reflexology and Massage as well as help to fully understand the process behind each method. The difference is simply that Reflexology gently communicates to any organ or body system via the nervous system by pressing reflex points. Massage provides relaxation and increased blood flow (including all the wonderful healing effects from these two) only to the area being worked on.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next post!
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Reflexology: Spreading the Awareness
When searching for an alternative way to heal your body, all the different methods can get very confusing. There are so many options; knowing which one to use can be overwhelming. Many of these methods appear to be folklore, myth, or non-effective practices. In reality, they're more like long term solutions to be practiced in combination with many lifestyle changes. Reflexology, however, can be effective right away and with little other lifestyle changes. My main focus throughout this blog is to prove that Reflexology is real, substantiated and has thousands of years of research to back it up.
In order to prove the sound foundation of Reflexology, I'll cite many current research studies. As well as this, I'll go into application, ancient research, and practice. Not to mention, breaking down the science of the body.
All over the world, fascinating Reflexology research is being undergone. It is my belief that this blog can act as a way to share the knowledge and help bring awareness to the amazing benefits of Reflexology. Stay Tuned!
In order to prove the sound foundation of Reflexology, I'll cite many current research studies. As well as this, I'll go into application, ancient research, and practice. Not to mention, breaking down the science of the body.
All over the world, fascinating Reflexology research is being undergone. It is my belief that this blog can act as a way to share the knowledge and help bring awareness to the amazing benefits of Reflexology. Stay Tuned!
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