On a recent teleconference call regarding the future Healthcare Reform Bill, one of the presenters stated that the five most common chronic illnesses for which allopathic medicine has little to offer are:
1. Stress (including post traumatic stress)
2. Depression
3. Diabetes
4. Pain management
5. Hypertension
Looking at that list I can’t help but see the broader landscape of conditions linked to these common complaints. Modern medicine now acknowledges that stress plays a role in up to 90% of all chronic conditions and that depression, diabetes, chronic pain and hypertension (serious imbalances themselves) all lead to other disturbing and often life-threatening health complications.
Alternative medicine practices, such as reflexology and aromatherapy are well positioned to address these five illnesses, and in fact boast a long history of research and clinical evidence to support it. It seems to me that tackling these imbalances before they develop further is the answer (if not before they even manifest). Let’s look at some results with reflexology and a few of these complaints.
Diabetes
John Guinta, graduate of the Academy’s 2011 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification, recently completed a seven-week research case study using reflexology with a man struggling with diabetes. There’s a lot to learn from this encouraging study. One point that stood out for me was the subject’s increased motivation (and follow-through actions) to lose weight and get moving more while participating in the study, both of which are recognized stepping stones to improved health. Newfound hope, coupled with John’s care and attention, seemed to act as a catalyst to do more for himself. That itself is worth the time of the study.
Brenda Toomey’s earlier report on the effects of reflexology on Type 2 diabetes is also listed on the same page.
Depression
I have lengthy clinical experience working with people with depression. One gentleman comes to mind who once told me that reflexology was as effective, if not more, in helping him heal from depression as his “talk therapy” sessions. “Counseling sessions,” he told me, “help me to understand the thought processes that pushed me into depression: reflexology allows me to actually feel myself healthy and whole again.”
Pain Management
If you’re interested in pain management, take a look at how reflexology affects musculoskeletal pain, gout and pain associated with endometriosis and fibromyalgia.
What sort of experiences have you had working with highly stressed people, or those suffering from depression, diabetes, chronic pain or hypertension?