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REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCHSINUSITIS "Reflexology massage" was found to be as effective as nasal irrigation for alleviation of chronic sinusitis in a University of Wisconsin School of Medicine study. Dr. Andrew Weil's Self Healing reports, "After two weeks of daily treatment, more than 70 percent of those who practiced either form of nasal douching reported improved symptoms. But surprisingly, the group that practiced reflexology massage - where pressure is applied to the feet or hands but may produce changes elsewhere in the body - appeared to fare equally well. The unexpected results for this technique may prompt further research." ("The Saline Solution?" Self Healing, January 2002, page 2) "Reflexology massage" was utilized as a control in the testing of two nasal irrigation study groups, nasal irrigation with a bulb syringe and nasal irrigation with a nasal irrigation pot. One hundred fifty individuals were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. "Groups one and two performed daily hypertonic saline irrigation for two weeks with one method (bulb syringe or nasal irrigation pot) and then switched to the other method for the following two weeks. Irrigation devices were collected and cultured after two weeks of use. Group three (the control) performed reflexology massage daily for two weeks. Data was collected prospectively including pre-treatment Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, pre and post-treatment Rhinosinusitis." "Overall, 36 percent of subjects reported decreased use of sinus medication (decongestants, antihistamines, pain relievers, and nasal sprays) during the study with no measurable difference between the three groups. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that daily nasal irrigation with hypertonic saline offers patients an inexpensive treatment protocol that improves chronic sinusitis symptoms. During the study, a number of patients decreased or eliminated medication. The choice of preferred irrigation protocol was likely linked to the randomization among patient subjects. It is unclear whether the improvement found in patients in the reflexology massage group reflects a therapeutic, placebo, or combination of effects. All the findings highlight the complex interactions of managing chronic sinusitis symptoms." (Diane
G. Heatley MD, Glen E. Leverson PhD, Kari E. McConnell
RN, and Tony L. Kille (the University of Wisconsin School of
Medicine,
Madison, WI) "Nasal Irrigation for the Alleviation of Sinonasal
Symptoms," presented Monday, September 25, 2000,
at the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and
Neck Surgery
Foundation Annual
Meeting/Oto Expo, being held September 24-27, 2000,
at the Washington, DC Convention Centre) (www.askdrbob.com/archives/reference/sinus.htm)
AMENORRHEA (absence of menstrual bleeding) * Ninety-five cases of amenorrhea were divided into two groups, a foot reflex therapy treatment group of 50 and a control group of 45 with participants using traditional Chinese medicine tablets. The effective rate of the foot reflex therapy group was 96% compared to the control group rate of 33%. Xiu-hua, Xu, "Analysis of 50 Cases of Amenorrhea Treated by Foot Reflex Therapy," (19)96 Beijing International Reflexology Conference (Report), China Preventive Medical Association and the Chinese Society of Reflexology, Beijing, 1996, p. 36
ARTHRITIS Forty-two cases of acromioclaviclar (shoulder) arthritis received thirty-minute sessions of foot reflexology once a day for 15 days. At the finish, 8 were "cured," 20 were "distinctly effective" and 14 cases were "improved." Zhi-xian, Ma and Jin-li, Zhang, "Foot Reflexology in the Treatment of Acromioclavicular Arthritis, (19)96 Beijing International Reflexology Conference (Report), China Preventive Medical Association and the Chinese Society of Reflexology, Beijing, 1996, p. 55
"Proactive health-care services emphasize health promotion and the prevention of disabling conditions, Currently in Thai society, the number of elderly with deteriorating health has increased. Therefore, self-care health promotion activities have become essential in order for the elderly to maintain their well-being. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of foot massage with biofeedback. Foot massage, a Thai primary self-care custom, has been found to enhance blood circulation, relaxation, and one's own healing power. In addition, touch has been found to stimulate secretion of endorphins and reduce pain and anxiety. It appears therefore that foot massage, or reflexology, promotes a healthy lifestyle for all age groups. An experimental study, utilizing a pilot project in elderly health care, was employed to investigate the effects of biofeedback using foot massage. A pretest/post-test quasi-experimental design was used. The sample consisted of four mean and 16 women (age group 61-69). Four trained researchers massaged the feet of the subjects and measured vital-sign changes. Biofeedback was also investigated before and after the foot massages. Results showed that the average biofeedback and temperature were lower before than after the foot massage (P<0.01). The average pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure, however, were found to be higher before rather than after the foot massage (P<0.01). It was concluded that the foot massage provided good circulation, relaxation and comfort. All subjects expressed positive feelings when they received the foot massage (i. e. "It is very nice that foot massage can relieve my joint pain, I an happy and comfortable.") These findings appear to indicate that foot massage is beneficial both for physical and mental conditions. Foot massage, however, is just one key to achieving a full range of primary health-care services. It needs to no only be performed by nurses. Families also, can provide foot massage for the elderly, anywhere and anytime." Jirayingmongkol P, Chantein S, Phengchomjan N, Bhanggananda N, "The effect of foot massage (reflexology) with biofeedback: a pilot study to enhance health promotion," Nurs Health Sci, 2002 Aug;4(Suppl):A4 (PMID: 12153420)
CONSTIPATION Forty residents of a "lodging house of the aged people" were studied for effects of foot reflexology on digestive processes. 20 were diagnosed as constipated and 20 were not. Five days before the foot reflexology treatment all were given a carbon tablet and observed for the length of time required to begin and end black stool. All received 10 days of foot reflexology treatment. The carbon tablet was administered again and a comparison was made between the elimination times before the treatment and after. After treatment, the interval between taking the carbon tablet and first black stool for the constipation group changed from an average of 45 hours to an average of 34 hours. The interval until last black stool changed from 77 hours to 51.5 hours. The non-constipation group remained unchanged in average times for first black stool and changed from 57.5 hours to 46 for last black stool after hours after treatment. Yuru,
Yang; Lingyun, Chao; Guangling, Meng; Scuwe, Cao; Jia-Mo,
Hao and Suhui, Zhang, "Exploring the Application of Foot Reflexology
to the Preventions and Treatment of Functional Constipation," 1994
China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association,
Beijing, p. 62
DYSMENORRHEA (painful menstrual cramps) Thirty-six cases of dysmenorrhoea showing abdominal pain during menstruation were treated with foot reflexology. Following treatment, those who were cured (showed disappearance of all conceal sometimes with no relapse in 3 months) included (a) 3 of the 4 cases experiencing dysmenorrhoea under 1 year (average: 9.4 sessions), (b) 14 of the 22 cases experiencing dysmenorrhoea from 1 to 10 years (average 13.1 sessions), (c), 7 of the 11 over 10 years (average: 17.3 sessions). Those who showed marked effectiveness (showed improvement of clinical symptoms, most of which disappear) included (a) 1 under 1 year, (b) 5 from 1 to 10 years and (c) 3 over 10 years. Those who shoed effectiveness (amelioration of symptoms, some pain) included (a) 3 from 1 to 10 years and (b) 1 over ten years. All cases showed effect (change after treatment). Wang Jixizng, "Clinical Observation on the Treatment for 36 Cases with Dysmenorrhoea by Foot Reflexotherapy," 1998 China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, pp. 56-57 Foot reflexology was applied to 17 teenagers, 14-17 years old with a history of amenorrhea for 1 to 4 years. Foot reflexology was applied twice for thirty to forty minutes. Application to the 17 during the first menstrual cycle showed a cured rate of 3, a significant rate of 13 and an effective rate of 1. Application to the 14 during the second menstrual cycle, showed a cured rate of 6, a significant rate of 7 and an effective rate of a. Application to the 8 during a third cycle showed 8 cured, 2 significantly effected and 1 effected. Wang Lan-xian, "Treatment of Amenorrhea by Foot Reflex Therapy during Menstruation," (19)96 Beijing International Reflexology Conference (Report), China Preventive Medical Association and the Chinese Society of Reflexology, Beijing, 1996, p. 36
ECZEMA Reflexology was applied to the feet of 32 cases of eczema daily. 28 cases fully recovered, 2 got better and 2 showed no improvement. Gu Hanqing, Xu Yazhen, "Treatment of Eczema with Reflexology - Report of 32 Cases," 1998 China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, pp. 66-68
FATIGUE Twelve athletes were divided into two groups: a foot reflexology group and a control group. The test group received daily reflexology sessions. Both groups underwent the same athletic training and were observed for sleeping, appetite and reactions to training. The reflexology group showed better qualities of sleep, better appetite and quicker recovery from fatigue and muscle soreness. Jianguo, Liu and Jingshun, Zhang, "Foot Reflex Zone Massage in Recovery of Fatigue in Athletes," 1994 China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, p. 98 (Xian City, Shan'xi, China)
HEADACHE Results of study: 19% of headache sufferers ceased taking medication following reflexology work. According to a large nationwide research study undertaken in Denmark, reflexology treatment has a beneficial effect on patients suffering from migraine and tension headaches. The study was conducted at the Department of Social Pharmacy, The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy in co-operation with five reflexology associations. 220 patients participated with treatment being given by 78 fully trained reflexologists across the country. in cooperation with five different reflexology societies FDZ (Danish Reflexologists Association), LNF (National Forum for Natural Healing), SFFF, (Association of Scandinavian Reflexologists), SAB (Union of Complementary Therapists) and OZ (Union of Reflexologists). The project description was approved by the National Board of Health's Council concerning complementary treatment and the project was financed by the Ministry of Health, Director and Mrs. E. Danielsens's Fund together with Pool and Lottery Funds distributed by the Ministry of Education. Headaches remain the most common health problem amongst the adult population and it has been estimated that they are the reason for the loss of three million working days every year. Reflexology is renowned for its ability to help relax and calm patients and for this reason it was considered an interesting therapy to study for the treatment of tension headaches and migraine. Of all the patients who took part in the study, 90 percent said that they had taken prescribed medication for their headaches within the month prior to the commencement of the study and, of them, 36 percent had experienced side effects from the medicines. 81 percent of the prescribed medicine in the acetvlsalicyclic acid and paracetamol group was taken at least twice a week and 72% of the stronger migraine medicines were taken at least once a fortnight which indicates that the majority of the patients were suffering from moderate to severe symptoms. 34 percent had taken medications for ailments other than headaches. Three months after a completed series of reflexology
treatments, 81 percent of patients confirmed that
reflexology had either
cured (16%) or helped (65%) their symptoms. 19 percent of
the patients
re-ported that they had been able to completely dispense
with the medications they had been taking before
the study. Brendstrup, Eva and Launsø, Laila, "Headache and Reflexological Treatment," The Council Concerning Alternative Treatment, The National Board of Health, Denmark, 1997
IBS * "Reflexology does not help patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a study has found. the complementary therapy, in which points in the feet are massaged in a particular way to ease discomfort in other parts of the body, was assessed in a study published in the British Journal of General Practice." "Thirty-four patients with IBS were recruited from four GP practices. The study was approved and carried out in consultation with reflexologists. Half the patients received six 30-minute reflexology treatment sessions. The other half saw heath care staff for the same amount of time but received no reflexology treatment. Patients were asked to record symptoms for two weeks before their first session, two weeks after and for a fortnight three months after their treatment had ended. Severity of abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea and bloating were measured but the Leeds team, led by Dr. Philip Tovey, said none showed reflexology made no positive difference." Dr. Tovey of the School for Healthcare Studies at the University of Leeds (p.a.tovey@leeds.ac.uk), noted that "While due caution would be exercised in generalising from a single study, the nature of the data is such that clear conclusions can be drawn. However, more research is needed, not only to test these initial findings but also to extend the range of participants to, for instance, those newly diagnosed with IBS Reflexology in particular remains not just under-researched but almost un-researched - something that is quite startling given the extent of its use." (Reported December 31, 2001 at http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1723000/17232900.stm)
MENOPAUSE (Williamson J, White A, Hart A, Ernst E., "Randomised controlled trial of reflexology for menopausal symptoms," BJOG, 2002 Sep; 109(9):1050-5) Eighty-two women diagnosed with menopause were randomly divided into two groups. Forty-two women received foot reflexology and forty received foot reflexology with auricular point magnet adhesion. Thirty-minute session were provided daily for 60 days. Among women provided with foot reflexology at the conclusion of the study, 17 (40.48%) of the women had fully recovered, 20 (47.62%) had significantly recovered, 4 (9.25%) had effective results and 1 had ineffective results. Among women provided with foot reflexology and auricular magnet adhesion at the conclusion of the study, 9 (22.5%) of the women had fully recovered, 16 (40%) had significantly recovered, 9 (22.50) had effective results and 6 (15%) had ineffective results. Sun Jianhua, "Observation on the Therapeutic Effect of 82 Cases of Climacterium Syndrome (menopause) Treated with Reflexotherapy," 1998 China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, pp. 60-61
MIGRAINE "Foot reflexology is defined as massage of zones on the feet which correspond to different parts of the body. A medline-search yielded no literature in the field of foot reflexology. Indications for and results of foot reflexology have been extrapolated from case-descriptions and two pilot studies with small samples. One study (Lafuente et al.) found foot reflexology to be as helpful to patients with headaches as medication (flunarizine), yet foot reflexology was fraught with fewer side effects than medication. In a second study (Eichelberger et al.) foot reflexology was used postoperatively on gynaecological patients. The intervention group showed a lesser need for medication to enhance bladder tonus than did the control group. The literature describes foot reflexology as enhancing urination, bowel movements and relaxation." Foot reflex zone massage (Kesselring A, Institut fur Pflegeforschung, Bern.) In a blind random trial, (Lafuente) "examined 32 patients between the ages of 15 and 57. There were 25 women and 7 men randomly assigned to two groups. One group was given a placebo and received reflexology treatments two times a week for two or three months, The other group received Flunarizin treatment (a selective calcium entry blocker with calmodulin binding properties and histamine blocking activity that has been effective in preventing migraines) and massage of a non -specific area twice a week for 12 sessions. patients were evaluated at the end of the study and again three months after the study. It was concluded that the reflexology treatment was at least as effective as the Flunarizin treatment and may be classified as an alternative non-pharmacological therapeutic treatment that would be particularly appropriate to those patients that were unable to follow pharmacological treatment." (Testa, Gail W., "A Study on the Effects of Reflexology on Migraine Headaches" August 2000 (http://members.tripod.com/GTesta/Dissertationall.htm) Lafuente A et al (1990). Effekt der Reflex zonenbehandlung am FuB bezuglich der prophylaktischen Behandlung mit Flunarizin bei an Cephalea-Kopfschmerzen leidenden Patieten.Erfahrungsheilkunde. 39, 713-715. Heydenreich A., Institution: Abteilung Neurologie, Wilhelm-Pieck-Universitat, Rostock, "Treatment of migraine with controlled reflex methods and stimulation therapy," Schweiz Med Wochenschr Suppl, 62: 88-93 (1994) Authors: [Review] [0 refs] [German] Zeitschrift fur Arztliche Fortbildung. 82(24):1247-9, 1988. MeSH Terms: English Abstract; Female; Flunarizine/therapeutic use; Foot*; Genital Diseases, Female/surgery; Headache/therapy; Headache/drug therapy; Human; Massage/methods*; Postoperative Complications/therapy; Reflexotherapy/methods*; Urination Disorders/therapy
MILK SECRETION IN NEW MOTHERS Two groups of new mothers were followed for satisfactory lactation. A treated group of 100 was given foot massage within 30 hours after delivery and 17 were given foot massage from 30 to 120 hours after for 10 to 15 minutes a day. No treatment was given to a group of 100 women. In the treatment group, lactation was initiated in 43.47 hours (+12.39 hours). In the control group it was 66.97 hours (+28.16 hours). In 72 hours satisfactory lactation was documented in 98% and 67% respectively in the two groups. Foot massage was found help avoid use of drugs in lactation that may be harmful to the baby. Siu-lan, Li, "Galactagogue Effect of Foot Reflexology in 217 Parturient Women," (19)96 Beijing International Reflexology Conference (Report), China Preventive Medical Association and the Chinese Society of Reflexology, Beijing, 1996 p. 14
Reflexology was applied to 60 individuals from ages 1 to 73 who were experiencing pain. Sessions lasted 20 minutes to 40 minutes. the pain resulted from Toothache (6), headache (8), sore throat (50), stiff neck (40), shoulder pain/old wound (2), breast pain (2), chest & rib pain (2), dysmenorrhoea (3), abdominal pain (5), wrist and leg pain (19), and joint pain in limbs. Following one session 18 of the 60 were healed. 11 were healed following 2 or 3 sessions, 22 were effectively treated after 2 or 3 sessions. Reflexology was ineffective for 9 cases after 1 to 3 sessions. Jin Hui, "Reflexology Applied as a Pain-Killer - Observation of 60 Cases," 1998 Beijing International Reflexology Conference Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, p, 86-88
Results of study: Post surgical patients who receive foot massage and medication report "significantly less" agony than those on painkillers alone. "Foot Rubs Easing Pain," Third Age. com, December 4, 1998
POST SURGICAL CARE "This randomized-controlled study examined the effects of foot massage on patients' perception of care received following surgery. The sample of 59 women who underwent laparoscopic sterilization as day case patients were randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group received a foot massage and analgesia post-operatively, whilst the control group received only analgesia post-operatively. Each participant was asked to complete a questionnaire on the day following surgery. This examined satisfaction, memory and analgesia taken. The 76% response rate was comparable with other patient satisfaction studies following day-case surgery. Statistical analysis showed no overall significant difference in the pain experienced by the two groups; however, the mean pain scores recorded following surgery showed a significantly different pattern over time, such that the experimental group consistently reported less pain following a foot massage than the control group. This study has attempted to explore the use of foot massage in a systematic way and is therefore a basis for further study." Hulme J, Waterman H, Hillier VF, "The effect of foot massage on patients' perception of care following laparoscopic sterilization as day case patients," J Adv Nurs. 1999 Aug;30(2):460-8 (Stockport Acute Services NHS Trust, Anaesthetic Department, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, England) PMID: 10457249
Reports that Eichelberger et. al. demonstrated that reflexology enhances urination, stimulates bowel movements and so aids recovery. Patients who received reflexology also showed a much less need for medication than patients in the control group. (Eichelberger G (1993) Study of foot reflex zone massage. Alternatives to tablets. Krankenpfiege - Soins Infirmiers. 86, 61-63) Kesselring, A. Fussrelszonemassage. Schweiz med Won\chenschr suppi (Switzerland) 1994, 62, pp. 88-93 The study's goal was to test if foot reflexology (FR) affects the well-being, voiding, bowel movements, pain, and/or sleep in women who underwent an abdominal operation. 130 subjects were randomised into three groups. For five days they were exposed to fifteen minutes of FR, foot/leg massage (FM) or talking respectively. Results show that the women in the FR group were more able to void without problems, after the indwelling catheter had been removed than did women in the comparison groups. There was also a tendency in the FR-group for the indwelling catheter to be removed earlier than in the other groups. In comparison the FR-subjects slept worse than the others. FM showed significant results in the subjective measures of well-being, pain and sleep." Kesselring A., Spichiger E., Muller M, "Foot Reflexology: an intervention study, Pflege 1998, Aug; 11(4):213-8 (PMID: 9775925) "The aim of the study was to investigate the possible usefulness of foot reflexology on the recovery after a surgical intervention. 130 patients participated in the study. They underwent abdominal surgery under full anaesthesia for different, but exclusively gynaecological reasons. Foot reflexology investigated in this study was applied only for a few days for each patient. The following parameters were recorded: the subjective, self-assessed, general condition, pain intensity, movement of the bowels, micturition and sleep beginning on the day before the operation until day 10. Two other treatments served as controls, a simple massage of the foot or a personal conversation. The simple massage turned out to be a relaxing, positive experience, whereas foot reflexology had various effects, some of them even negative. The conclusion was that foot reflexology is not recommended for acute, abdominal post surgical situations in gynaecology because it can occasionally trigger abdominal pain." Kesselring A., "Foot Reflexology massage: a clinical study." Forsch Komplementarmed 1999 Feb; 6 Suppl 1:38-40 (PMID: 10077716)
PMS Results of study: Reflexology improves the symptoms of 46% of those suffering from PMS. Oleson, Terry and Flocco, William, "Randomized Controlled Study of Premenstrual Symptoms Treated with Ear, Hand, and Foot Reflexology," Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1993;82(6): 906-11
PSORIASIS A 21 year-old college student had experienced widely spreading skin lesions over 14 years. Numerous Western and traditional Chinese medicines had failed to effect the psoriasis. One to two treatments a week were applied for 50 minutes. After 14 treatments change was evident in the four largest lesions. After 15 courses of treatment all lesions disappeared. Xi-guang, Xu and De-zhao, Liu, "Treatment of Psoriasis with Foot Reflexology," 1994 China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, pp. 91-92 (Tianjin, China)
Foot reflexology was applied daily to three cases of rhinitis for 30 minutes. After three sessions symptoms had subsided even for a patient experiencing rhinitis for 20 years. A course of 10 sessions was applies to "consolidate the effect. Symptoms had not returned two years later for this patient. Xiu, Ma, "Observation on the Treatment of Rhinitis with Foot Reflexology," 1994 China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, p. 139 (Tianjin, China)
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