- 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. ******
Monday, August 18, 2014
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!
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