Reflexology is a relatively modern therapy with possible ancient origins. Samples of using the feet to improve one’s health have been documented in one form or another in several countries such as Egypt, India and China and date back an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 years.
From these ancient beginnings, the use of touch to relieve pain and heal illness has evolved to include therapies such as Reiki, zone therapy, massage and reflexology.
Considered alternative or complimentary by today’s standards, reflexology has been used alongside of allopathic or conventional medicine in European countries for many years. Considering the history of healing modalities, could it be possible that modern, allopathic medicine is truly the alternative?
Reflexology as we know it today was discovered in the 20th century by three physicians, and one therapist. An American, William Fitzgerald MD mapped the body into ten vertical zones in 1917. In 1924 another American doctor, Joe Shelby Riley MD mapped the human body with horizontal zones and was one of the early pioneers of ear reflexology. While working with Doctor Riley in the 1930’s therapist, Eunice Ingham took the zone theory to another level by mapping the human body on each foot. It is Eunice that is credited with the term, “reflexology.” In 1957, French physician, Doctor Paul Nogier mapped the human body on the outer ear.
Until recently, medical communities in the United States were slow to embrace alternative therapies. While conventional medical practices still lean heavily on medication or surgery to treat illness or injury, there seems to be a renaissance taking place. Some hospitals and cancer treatment centers have added alternative therapies such as reflexology to their practice.
While hundreds of studies have been conducted world wide, only those that were conducted as science-based research, and show measurable results are considered legitimate by our medical communities. Even though many studies have been successful, I would like to draw your attention to two.
The first is a two year study lead by Nancy L.N. Stephenson, certified reflexologist and associate professor at East Carolina University School of Nursing. This study revealed a notable decrease in anxiety and pain in cancer patients who received reflexology treatments.
Details of this study can be found on line at University School of Nursing Study.
The second is a five year study titled, “Reflexology: An Intervention for Advanced Breast Cancer.” This study, lead by reflexologist Gwen Wyatt, RN, PhD is a collaborative project between Michigan State University and West Michigan Cancer Center. The National Institute of Health granted over $3 million and the results are scheduled to be published spring, 2011.
Further information of this study can be found on line at http://special.news.msu.edu/breast_cancer/index.html
Bill Flocco, Director of the American Academy of Reflexology, Burbank, CA. has compiled a comprehensive list of 380 reflexology studies that are categorized by illness, starting with Abdominal Pain and ending with Workplace, Fewer – Sick Days.
