In "Womans' World Magazine", October 21, 2003, there was a great article on reflexology called "Discover the better health secrets in your feet". "End arthritis!, Be a Mom!, Banish stress in minutes!, Completely erase PMS!, Melt away migraines better than prescription drugs!, Banish backaches for Good! and Relieve digestive problems! are all subtitles of the article highlighting research studies from around the world on the effects of reflexology. A 81% success rate with Migraines. A 50% reduction of PMS symptoms. A 97% success rate with stomach ulcers from rubbing feet, how can that be? More is going on than simply rubbing feet.
What is and how does reflexology work?
Foot and hand reflexology date back some 5,000 years, but it wasn't until the 1930's when American Eunice Ingham, now known as the "Mother of Modern Reflexology", brought reflexology into the 20th Century. She developed the technique and mapped out the feet detailing the locations of this gland and that organ and with Mr. Dwight Byers turned reflexology into the effective healing science it is today. I practice as a foundation the "Advanced Ingham Method" as was taught to me by her nephew Mr. Dwight Byers who, together with his Aunt, created this method which is the foundation for most reflexology found around the world. Mr. Byers is considered the worlds foremost expert in reflexology.
The speculation as to why reflexology is so helpful to the body is that all your blood and nerve impulses travel through you feet and hands to the ends of your fingers and toes and then turn around and go back to some organ, muscle, tendon or gland. When these blood and nerve impulses are congested in your hands or feet, the blood and nerve flow to those organs or glands is lessened. When you consider your body is basically a 24/7 chemical reaction of one sort or another, any imbalance anywhere to some degree weakens all the rest. My job, as a reflexologist, is to work out the congestion and restore proper circulation. This is why all health conditions may be helped; by improving circulation and balancing your whole body through reflexology.
Over the past few years the U.S. medical establishment has come on board validating reflexology as an effective therapy. Whereas a reflexologist wouldn't know how to diagnose a condition so we can't tell you if reflexology will help this or that, medical centers and hospitals are qualified to say reflexology does this or that and here are a few examples as to why you should include reflexology in your own health program according to these institutions. It seems the long un-answered question in finally being answered by modern medicine: "Does reflexology really work?" Let's see what some medical centers have to say.
St. Elizabeth Medical Center
http://www.stelizabeth.com/services/our_services/holistic_health/reflex/
Common uses for reflexology include:
Anxiety
Hormonal Imbalance
Detoxification
Immune System Strengthening
Wound Healing
Headaches
Depression
Allergies
Arthritis
Sinus Problems
Hadassah Medical Center states:
http://www.hadassah.org.il/English/Eng_SubNavBar/Departments/Medical+departments/Complementary+Medicine/Reflexology.htm
“The 1996 China Reflexology Symposium Report found foot reflexology to be 93.63 percent effective in treating 63 disorders.
Medical doctors agree that over three-quarters of our health problems can be linked to nervous and physical tension.
By
reducing stress and tension, reflexology improves blood and lymph
circulation, strengthens the functioning of the immune system, improves
assimilation of nutrition and elimination of toxins, and calms the
nervous system. In these ways, reflexology facilitates the body's
natural healing processes and thereby enhances the body's health and
vitality.”
Arnot Ogden Medical Center.
http://www.aomc.org/index.asp?pageId=95
“No
one knows exactly how reflexology works beyond the physical act of
stimulating nerve ending on the feet; however, many people claim that
they have had amazing results by getting reflexology. Many people have
turned to reflexology when other methods of pain control have not
worked.”
Windber Medical Center
http://www.windbercare.com/inthealth_reflexology.asp
“Because
it is non-invasive and indirect, it (reflexology) can be used as an aid
to most conditions and as a complement to most other treatment
modalities.
It (reflexology) can all be applied to all
conditions both simple and acute as well as the more chronic. It is
safe and often dramatic in its effect.
It (reflexology) can all
be applied to all conditions both simple and acute as well as the more
chronic. It (reflexology) is safe and often dramatic in its effect. A
time does come when disease is so deeply seated that the sufferer is
beyond human help. But in prior stages reflexology can serve to be
successful. The treatment of the early stages can as we said be
dramatic sometimes, but if these early stages have been untreated or
possibly mistreated they will in the course of time, cause organic
change, and the simple illness becomes chronic. In this case, long and
patient work will be required. Reflex work is not recommended in those
cases of emergency resulting from accident or advanced disease where
immediate surgical or medical treatment is needed to save the persons
life. There is also the terminal cases previously mentioned where the
person is beyond human help. Nevertheless, in such cases do not
overlook the use of reflexology to relieve pain and suffering such as
in terminal cancer cases.”
University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago
http://uimc.discoveryhospital.com/main.php?t=enc&id=3172
“Since
reflexology treats the whole person, not the symptoms of disease, many
people benefit in a general way from therapy. The therapy can relieve
stress and is becoming more popular as a safe way to relax the body.”
CLINICAL TRIAL: Reflexology treatment relieves symptoms of multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12926840
U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health website.
CONCLUSIONS: Specific reflexology treatment was of benefit in alleviating motor; sensory and urinary symptoms in MS patients.
Beebe Medical Center
http://www.beebemed.org/bb_2004/html/bb_integrative.htm
May
help relieve stress, improve circulation, relieve stiffness and reduce
pain Also for PMS, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's
phenomenon
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
http://www.englewoodhospital.com/medservices.cfm?pageid=560
“Reflexology
is the science, which deals with the principle that there are reflex
areas in the feet and hands, which correspond to all glands and parts
of the body. It is especially good for women experiencing infertility.
Specific areas of the feet and hands that correspond to the body’s
organs and tissues are manipulated stimulating deep relaxation and
improved circulation.
CLINICAL STUDY: J Korean Acad Adult Nurs. 2005 Aug;17(3):493-502. Korean.
http://www.koreamed.org/SearchBasic.php?DT=1&RID=330463
The Effects of Foot Reflexology Massage on Sleep and Fatigue of Elderly Women.
Jin SJ, Kim YK.
Masan Samsung Medical Center.
Catholic University of Pusan. ykkim@cup.ac.kr
PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of foot reflexology massage on sleep and fatigue of elderly women.
METHOD:
The study was performed from April thru July of 2004 on the
nonequivalent control group non-synchronized quasi-experimental design.
Fifty elderly women were selected for each group. The foot reflexology
massage was performed for 45 minutes every three days for experimental
group . The data were analyzed using the Cronbach's alpha, Chi-Square
test, t-test and Repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni.
RESULT: 1. The sleep score of the experiment group is significantly higher than that of the control group(t=-5.944, p=.000).
2
.For the experiment group, it is seen that the sleep score increases as
the frequency of the foot reflexology massage increases(F=96.362,
p=.000).
3. The fatigue score of the experiment group is significantly lower than that of the control group(t=4.356, p=.000).
4.
For the experiment group, the fatigue is relieved gradually as the
frequency of the foot reflexology massage increases(F= 118.444, p=.000).
CONCLUSION:
Based on the results described above, it is considered that the foot
reflexology massage is effective for elderly women in promoting a good
sleep and relieving the fatigue.
Longmont United Hospital
http://www.luhcares.org/Services/HealthCenter.aspx#reflex
Reflexology
supports the body's ability to self-heal. Modern reflexology is both an
art and a science - joining the ancient approach with today’s concept
of energy zones that run throughout the entire body. As each zone in
the hands or feet is worked, all the organs, glands, and tissue in that
zone are brought into a more balanced state of health. Benefits include
stress reduction, improved circulation, deep relaxation and increased
body awareness.
St. John Hospital and medical center. http://www.stjohn.org/ValadeHealingArts/
Skillful
application of pressure to specific points in the feet and hands.
Evidence suggests that your body is mirrored in your feet. Reflexology
promotes the body's ability to adjust and balance during times of
stress. Some of the benefits include an increase in energy, improved
mood, reduction in muscle tension and soreness and improved immune
function and circulation.
The California Pacific Medical Center says: Reflexology reduces stress, balances energy flow in the body and mind and supports the immune system. Though given on the hands and feet, this extraordinary technique affects the entire body.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center poses and answers the question:
What are the indications for reflexology?
Reflexology is a form of preventive medicine that aims to maintain a person's
balance and well being. Though empirical studies are lacking, many patients
have benefited from reflexology. Conditions treated may include: migraine headache,
hypertension, menstrual cramps or irregularities, myofascial pain, fibromyalgia,
insomnia and anxiety disorders.
Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine says: The benefits (of reflexology) include reduction in tension and stress, increased vascular, neural and lymphatic circulation, and the releasing of toxins. Research has shown that blood pressure can actually decrease during a session! Clients use reflexology to alleviate or manage asthma, sinus problems, digestive disorders, inflammations, menstrual irregularities, pain, fatigue, inflammatory skin conditions and other imbalances. It is especially beneficial for circulatory problems.
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Cancer Center says: Reflexology is an ancient practice of applying pressure to specific parts of the feet and hands. A reflexology treatment is deeply relaxing and helps to reduce stress, relieve pain, increase circulation, and enhance well-being.
Columbia University Medical Center says: reflexology releases tension, encourages relaxation, and enhances health.
The Hartford Hospital calls Reflexology "A way of stimulating the internal organs and increasing blood circulation to all areas of the body through the compression of reflex points on hands or most commonly, the feet".
Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine, Inc. Has many pages of reflexology
accolades
http://www.akashacenter.com/pdf/reflex_info.pdf
At Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, CT they say: "The hands and feet are regarded as mirrors of the body. By applying a controlled amount of pressure to specific points on the feet or hands (reflex areas), the therapist can identify and treat problems in all parts of the body.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital says: A reflexology treatment is deeply relaxing and helps to reduce stress, relieve pain, increase circulation and enhance well-being.
The Heart Center at St. Rita's offers open-heart patients reflexology as a complimentary therapy to help speed recovery and reduce discomfort. Reflexology therapy strengthens and supports the body's own healing process. The therapy, a safe non-invasive health practice, applies the principle that reflex areas in the feet and hands correspond to all parts of the body, including glands, organs and total body systems. Stimulating these reflexes can help many health problems in a natural way. The act of applying pressure to reflex areas results in the reduction of stress, which promotes positive changes in the body. It can be used to restore and maintain the body's natural equilibrium and encourage healing.
St. Rita's Medical Center conducted a three-month pilot study on open-heart patients who received reflexology, and the study confirmed a patient's level of pain and anxiety decreased significantly. It also helped patients increase the distance they were able to walk, decreased the number of days they were hospitalized and the amount of medication administered during their recovery process.
The DeKalb Medical Center says: During the session, specific reflex areas on the feet, hands and ears to encompass a complete method of promoting stress reduction, circulation, balance, vitality and normal body functioning, as well as enhancing relaxation and an overall sense of health and well-being.
Beebe Medical Center says: May help relieve stress, improve circulation, relieve stiffness and reduce pain. Also for PMS, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's phenomenon
Since I am not a doctor, I don't know what many of those conditions listed above are, but if you suffer from one of those conditions listed or some condition that can be improved by reducing stress, improving circulation, relieving stiffness, promotion of balance, vitality, normal body functioning and reducing pain, then according to these medical centers, perhaps you might ask yourself if some sessions at Symbiotic Systems Reflexology may help you with your situation.
Will reflexology help you?
Good Question. I don't know if reflexology would help you or not, but I do know that you would know the answer within a few sessions. I strive to provide an authoritative, therapeutically effective blend of reflexology as taught by my teachers. I feel very privileged to have been trained by the creators of three forms of modern reflexology, Mr. Dwight Byers of the International Institute of Reflexology who provided the foundation for both myself and most of the world, Anthony Porter in the United Kingdom and Europe whose Advanced Reflexology Techniques (ART) have been proven to be highly effective for female problems in a clinical trial, and Father Joseph of Taiwan and Asia, whose self-taught style has proven so effective even the Peoples Republic of China, representing over one billion people recognized and endorsed reflexology as a "safe and effective means to improve health" back in 1998.
Reflexology has a long 5,000 year history of success. Working out the sensitive points restores circulation to the affected area and you experience relief. When you no longer have sensitive points, your body is tuned up and ready to heal itself. This might be one or ten or twenty sessions, but the important thing to remember is that reflexology goes to the heart of the problem and positively affects the whole body according to claims stated by medical centers, hospitals and research reports.
Reflexology takes a little time and effort on your part, but I think you'll find results speak for themselves when you give me at least three sessions to help you. You'll know if you want to invest any more in relfexology. I made the effort to be trained by the world's foremost experts in reflexology so your time spent with me will be as productive as possible. As added incentive, I feel so strongly that you would benefit so much more with five sessions I offer a 15% discount if you pay for and book five or more sessions within ten days. The time limit is because my teachers agree many sessions over a short time is more beneficial. I share this belief. Your success will be my success if you allow your feet tell you when you are done.
The link below will direct you to some of these studies noted in the "Woman's World" article. You'll note that some studies lasted a few months with many sessions. You'll need to make a commitment to get well, but really the results of these studies speak for themselves. Maybe you'd benefit too. The percentage of those who benefited from the reflexology sessions is staggering. According to these research studies, the vast majority are symptom free in less than a 60 days across a wide range of health conditions. As another positive side effect, I've confirmed what other reflexologists have said. Clients come in for one reason and over the full course of sessions find many other problems (symptoms you've learned to live with) improve also because of the overall full body "tune up" reflexology gives you.
Stress relief and a good nights sleep are the most commonly reported side effects my clients tell me. You'll discover whether you need reflexology or not with one session providing your feet are not numb. If your feet are tender, yes, you could benefit from my services. If you relax into my comfortable zero gravity chair and just enjoy, you only need reflexology to pamper yourself or as part of a preventative "tune up" program or as needed in an accute situation. People love how their feet feel after a session. In reflexology, one session builds upon the previous session. If you are looking to improve a specific condition, three sessions are good. Five will really help. Nine sessions may change your life. Or maybe just one session. A client came to see me and said the doctors said she needed a hysterectomy to stop the pain caused by cysts on her ovaries. To my amazement and hers, the night after her first session was uncomfortable (as was to be expected), but in the morning she was pain free and the doctors have given her a clean bill of health. No operation needed resulting in a huge savings! The medical centers claim reflexology is good for female problems and so maybe this is common but it was new and exciting to both of us.
Our local paper, The Wood River Journal, did a nice story on my practice which can be viewed here which includes the story of the girl with cysts. Maybe you would benefit too.
Getting you to the point where your body is tuned with itself (i.e. no tender spots found during a session) will be a whole lot less expensive (and much more enjoyable) than the ongoing expenses you may have for a lifetime if you don't address the root cause of your symptoms today. If your hands or feet are sensitive there is congestion blocking the blood and nerve impulses which is blocking proper assimilation of nutrients and elimination of toxins to the area(s) relating to the specific reflex points. Once your body is balanced with itself, you won't need ongoing reflexology sessions for the rest of your life either. Once all the "hot spots" have been eliminated, then you come in for a tune up session monthly or as needed.
If you missed the story in Womans' World Magazine October 21, 2003 detailing amazing clinical results, follow this link to the pages this research information was gleaned from. Discover reflexology for yourself today. Reflexology is a drugless therapy whose major side effect is you get better.
I would love to help you. My office is in the Croy Street Building Suite "F" (as in foot), that's Croy and River Street in Hailey, Idaho.
Please call 208-788-2012 for a free consultation or for an appointment today.
Best wishes,
Mark Cook
Healthnotes Newswire (October 23, 2003)—Reflexology improves the symptoms
of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study published in Multiple Sclerosis
(2003;9:356–61).
http://cam.utmb.edu/HealthNotes/newswire_2003_10_23_3.htm
.