Archives for May 2012

May 27 2012

Working with Mums-2-Be

What makes pregnancy different from other conditions?

Pregnancy is a time-limited condition in which specific symptoms occur at specific times. These symptoms are predictable, and arise due to natural anatomical, physiological, hormonal and developmental reasons, not as a result of disease.

To deny a pregnant woman reflexology at any time during the 9-months she is carrying is to deny the mother-to-be an improved quality of life, the reduced risk of unnecessary interventions during birth, and physiological support for puerperium (the period after childbirth during which the mother’s reproductive organs return to their original non-pregnant condition).

For years, reflexologists have been told to either avoid all work during pregnancy, avoid all work during the first trimester, or to avoid working certain points during the first trimester. The truth is, there are over 20 more complications that can occur in the third trimester than the first. Look as much as you want, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that reflexology can harm either the pregnant woman or child she is carrying.

I built my reflexology practice during the early 1980’s working with pregnant women. Reflexology made the women more comfortable, made for a shorter and easier birth, expelled the afterbirth sooner and according to the women’s ob/gyns, sped up the process of puerperium. From my perspective, it was a joy to support the beginning of new life, to watch those little feet kick away and then relax, and to chuckle knowing that those kids were likely born addicted – to reflexology!!

At the RAA conference in Orlando, Florida in May, Mauricio (Moshe) Kruchik introduced his Reflexology Planner, a useful chart that lists a timeline of symptoms within pregnancy and when to start specific treatment protocols to prevent such occurrences. In Moshe’s extensive experience*, unwanted situations, symptoms and conditions can be prevented and treated with proper reflexology techniques. He stressed that reflexology is a safe therapy during pregnancy and that extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology of pregnancy is essential to practice maternity reflexology with due diligence.

I highly recommend to any reflexologist wanting to specialize in this delightful area of practice to check out Moshe’s trainings.

I will share a treatment protocol for edema that Moshe shared with us at the conference in a future blog post.

*Mauricio Kruchik is a reflexologist, doula, childbirth educator, and an instructor of complimentary medicine at the Tel Aviv University in Israel. He is the founder and president of the International Society of Maternity Reflexology, and his Maternity Reflexology Training Program is accredited worldwide by several associations of reflexologists, midwives and doulas.

May 26 2012

Reflexology and Senile Dementia

Another study completed by Dr. Jesus Manzanares of Spain, sheds hope on people living with senile dementia. The full results of foot reflexology’s effects on cognitive performance in this population will be published soon in the Journal of Alternative Therapies.

Dementia is defined as a syndrome (a collection of symptoms) that points to a decrease in intellectual functioning that interferes with normal daily activities. Personality changes include memory loss (beyond what may be expected with aging), difficulties with perception, judgment and/or reasoning, and loss of emotional and/or behavioral control. Senile dementia defines the condition in people over the age of 65.

Dementia results from the death of nerve cells in the brain or the decline of communication between those nerve cells.

Dr. Manzanares employed the industry-accepted Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) protocol to study the effects of foot reflexology on 72 adult patients clinically diagnosed with dementia. All participants submitted to the MMSE before and after each treatment. Initial scores were 12 or less. (A score of 12 or less confirms dementia.)

The volunteers were divided into three groups:

Group 1 – the control group – 20 received general body massage.

Group II – 28 people received foot reflexology directed to the reflexes of the lungs, heart, carotid and vertebral arteries.

Group III – 14 volunteers received reflexology in the pelvic area of the foot.

Only Group II showed significant improvement after eight treatments, with increased blood flow and neural connections indicated. Scores rose to above 22 in this group. (A score between 12 and 24 suspects dementia; above 24 rules it out.) General reflexology was not shown to be useful.

Watch future issues of the Journal of Alternative Therapies for the entire study. And, once again, thank you Dr. Manzanares for raising the credibility of reflexology’s healing potential.

Based on your understanding of how reflexology affects the human body, why do you think this study improved the participants’ cognitive ability?

May 20 2012

Taking Reflexology to Work

Take the time to think things through in your mind first, and your foray into the world of workplace reflexology could develop into a gratifying and lucrative endeavor. The more prepared you are, the easier and more successful will be the outcome of your efforts.

1. Choose the business you wish to approach. If you have a past affiliation with a particular company or industry, or know someone working there, consider starting there. The more you know about the nature of the business and the possible physical issues the workers risk, the more rapport you will create with your potential contractor. Utilize the Internet to learn as much as you can about the company’s philosophy, history and successes. Make what you are offering relevant. Make sure you dress the part when you meet in person. Bermuda shorts and polo shirt would not be appropriate for a prestigious law firm; neither would high heels and three-piece suit for a retirement home.

2. Prepare the stats I shared in the Reflexology in the Workplace post in an attractive folio, along with a description of the possible options from which to choose (listed below), to leave with the company representative after your meeting. Remember, the key is to demonstrate that what you have to offer will increase the bottom line.

3. You and the designated business representative will need to decide when the reflexology sessions will take place – before or after work shifts; during lunch or breaks; all day long – and where – in the cafeteria; individual offices; quiet, unused room. There are advantages and disadvantages to each location. Working in the cafeteria, for example, might peak other workers’ interest, but won’t be as relaxing for the recipient.

4. How long and how often will the sessions be offered? There is no real typical time allotment. Large companies may opt for 15, 20 or even 30 minutes. Smaller companies with fewer employees may allow for a full hour for each individual. Sessions can be daily, weekly or monthly. Be prepared to discuss the merits of all those options with the company rep.

5. And lastly, who pays for your time and expertise – the employer, the employees, a combination of the two? And how are you paid? By the minute, the hour, the number of sessions or the day?

Done right, your mobile business can grow such that it will necessitate your hiring other reflexologists to meet the demand. Wheee! If the business (or businesses) you service is a national operation, you may even have the opportunity to expand into other cities! Or franchise your operation! The possibilities are limitless; let you vision soar.

May 16 2012

Reflexology in the Workplace

At the recent RAA conference, Ko Tan, of the American Academy of Reflexology, gave a spirited presentation on the considerable need to take reflexology into corporate America.

As I listened to the shocking stats of employee need and reflexology’s impressive ability to positively affect the bottom line in business, I started to think about the enormous career possibilities for reflexologists.

Tan first shared numbers issued by the American Labor Statistics board regarding the financial impact of headaches, chronic constipation, premenstrual syndrome and low back pain on businesses. He then highlighted results of reflexology research on those conditions and reflexology’s impact on workplace absenteeism and job satisfaction. Finally he outlined the considerations and steps to take to develop a successful out-call business in the corporate world. The possibilities were unlimited, and perfect for the person who does not like to be tethered to any one work space.

I’ll share some of the stats from the ALSB here, that will, hopefully, convince you of the enormity of the market:

Headaches

47% of all adults have a headache disorder and “the financial costs to society through lost productivity are enormous.”
In the United States, headaches cost an estimated $50 billion each year. The cost to business in lost productivity is approximately $6 billion to $17 billion/year.
Migraines cost American employers about $13 billion/year because of missed workdays and impaired work function. Close to $8 billion was directly due to missed workdays. 4/26/1999

Chronic constipation

63 million people live with chronic constipation. 6.3 million are forced into ambulatory care visits; 700,000 are hospitalized because of constipation.
Constipation affects 12% to 19% of Americans; its prevalence increases with age and it affects women more than men. It has a major impact on quality of life. Americans spend more than $700 million annually on over-the-counter laxatives. 7/14/2011

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

As many as 90% of women deal with the aches, pains and emotional stress of PMS at some time during their reproductive years. 30% to 40% have symptoms distressing enough to interfere with their everyday lives. 1999-2001
Nearly 2 out of 5 women ages 14 to 50 experience some symptoms of PMS. 10% have symptoms severe enough to disrupt their usual activities. 1999

Low back pain

The annual cost of chronic low back pain in the United States, including healthcare expenses, lost income and lost productivity, is estimated to be $100 billion. 26 million Americans between ages 20 and 64 experience frequent back pain. 2003
Back pain is the leading cause of disability in Americans under 45 years of age. More than 26 million Americans, between the ages of 20 and 64, experience frequent back pain. Back pain produced the highest amount of lost productive time (5.2 hours/week). 2006

If you want to approach business owners about providing reflexology to their employees, the first thing you are going to have to do is convince that company president that your work will lower absenteeism and increase productivity and job satisfaction.

Fortunately, that’s an easy thing to do. Bill Flocco, director of the American Academy of Reflexology, has compiled a collection of 380 studies that prove the efficacy of reflexology with 75 different conditions. His gracious gift to the world can be viewed here.

Additionally, studies regarding workplace reflexology show:

2499 fewer hours of sick leave the first 6 months of reflexology sessions. (Journal of Danish Reflexologists Association, Number 6, 1992)
A postal company was able to save expenses due to a reduction in employee sickness or absence an average of 11.4 to 8.5 days per employee. (Danish Reflexologists Association, November 1993)
55% of employees reported reflexology was effective; 29% reported that it was partially effective; 50% had fewer sick days; 70% reported a greater awareness of their bodies. (Danish Reflexologists Association, February 1995)
97% of employees reported relief from their primary issue from receiving reflexology; 62% reported improvement; 35% reported partial improvement; 77% reported positive secondary effect(s). (“A Study of the Effect of Reflexology Treatment in the Eastern District of the Municipality of Svendborg, Denmark”; Danish Reflexologists Association, 1995)
79% of employees reported complete or partial success from reflexology; 57% reported that it helped in other areas; 92% wanted to continue; 30% reported a greater job satisfaction after reflexology. (“Reflexology as Personal Care in the Arthus District Corporation Take Good Care of Your Fellow Employees”; Journal of Danish Reflexologists Association, November 1996)

Seems worth considering to me, if you’ve yet to carve your niche in the reflexology world. I’ll write a “To-Do List”, in the next few days, for anyone wanting to do onsite reflexology in the workplace.

May 15 2012

Stick & Stones May Break My Bones, But…

reflexology will help me!

Although most of us think physiology when we think of reflexology, I want to share a powerful story of reflexology’s effects on the body’s anatomy. It’s also the story of how the largest federally funded grant for reflexology was awarded.

In the early years of 2000, Dr. Gwen Wyatt, of the University of Michigan’s School of Nursing, suffered a severe break in one of her legs. She underwent months of western care that produced little results. Her next, and last, resort was a surgical procedure that was to implant screws and pins in her thigh bone.

Lucky for Dr. Wyatt, she met Barbara Brower, an experienced and confident reflexologist, who made her a promise she couldn’t refuse. Barbara proposed weekly reflexology sessions for four weeks, with a money-back guarantee if Dr. Wyatt did not see significant improvement in her condition.

Dr. Wyatt hobbled in on crutches; one leg and foot enveloped in a cast, and Barbara set to work. She worked the hand and arm on the casted side and the foot and lower leg on the other. And as they say, the rest is history.

Dr. Wyatt’s improvement was so marked, she chose to continue her reflexology sessions until full recovery was reached, and cancel the scheduled surgery. Dr. Wyatt’s interest in reflexology was so peaked that she wrote a grant application with the National Institutes of Health that resulted in this landmark study.

I share this so that you never underestimate the power of reflexology and the unstoppable drive of the human body to restore health and homeostasis. Reflexology is not just a “foot rub”; it’s a loud and persistent invitation to the body to come back to wholeness.

Who knows whose feet and hands you may be touching? You may be helping the next person in our history to bring more scientific credibility and/or large-scale exposure to reflexology!

What unexpected results have happened as a result of your giving reflexology?

May 13 2012

Successful Protocol for Breast Cancer Patients

Barbara Brower, lead reflexologist in the largest federally funded study involving reflexology, was on hand at the Reflexology Association of America’s conference 10 days ago, to pass on the results and the protocol used to receive the astounding results that emerged from this 5-year study. The results are very significant, because of the size of the grant ($3.1 million) and the fact that it was the first robust reflexology study completed in the United States .

The goal of the study was to improve quality of life for women in late stage 3 and 4 breast cancer who were on chemotherapy. Barbara shared that, because of the success of the first study, the University of Michigan has been awarded a second grant of $2.65 million to run another 5-year program to teach the caregivers of female breast cancer patients the 9-step protocol used in the first study!

The Results

Each participant received one foot reflexology session for four consecutive weeks, and was studied for eight weeks afterwards.

Reflexology improved the physical function of the participants by about 10%, compared to the control group. This is considered a substantial improvement in research and reflects an improved ability by the women to carry out daily activities of living, such as walking, carrying groceries, climbing stairs, etc. The improvement in physical function resulted from a reduced difficulty in breathing, a direct result of the foot reflexology sessions.

Two other desired changes were noted in Group 2: Reflexology opened the pathways for the body to more easily receive chemotherapy; and the body more readily released the residual by-products of the chemotherapy drugs.

Another important discovery of the study: not one patient had a negative side effect from receiving reflexology – a very important consideration for this fragile population.

In conclusion, this grant established three points. In women receiving allopathic treatment for advanced breast cancer, reflexology has now been proven to be:

1. safe

2. feasible

3. efficacious

The conclusion: Reflexology, used in conjunction with standard medical care, is beneficial to late stage breast cancer patients.

You can read more about the study here.

The Protocol

Here are the reflexes that the team of reflexologists worked in the study:

1. Spine

2. Chest/Breast (primary reflex worked)

3. Lungs – for breathing

4. Diaphragm – for stress and breathing

5. Adrenals – for stress and inflammation

6. Kidneys – for detoxification

7. Spleen – for blood purification and energy

8. Intestines (small and large) – for absorption of nutrients and evacuation

9. Lymph organs and vessels – for detoxification

Have you worked with this population? What have been your results? Or have you been hesitant to give reflexology to women battling late state breast cancer? Do the results of this study affect your beliefs about offering reflexology to women fighting cancer?

May 12 2012

Working with Children with ADHD

At the recent Reflexology Association of America conference in Orlando, Dr. Jesus Manzanares of Spain shared his findings from a small study he conducted with children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The results will be of importance to any parent whose child lives with ADD (with or without the hyperactivity component) or any reflexologist wishing to provide therapy to this population.

The first thing Dr. Manzanares shared was that the medical profession now classifies Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a syndrome, with scaled expressions of the condition (like autism is). The latest research also shows the ADHD-diagnosed brain to exhibit organic lesions.

His study investigated the effects of foot reflexology on attention levels and school performance of children diagnosed with ADD. The study employed the ADHD Rating Scale-IV tool, the industry benchmark for assessing diagnostic criteria of ADHD, to evaluate the children’s speed levels at testing and accuracy at mathematical calculation.

Group 1 – the Control Group – was composed of 20 children, each of which received 20 weekly foot reflexology sessions at Dr. Manzanares’s clinic, followed by 15 sessions given at home by parents who were trained to duplicate the clinic session. Stimulation was applied to the reflexes in the pelvic region of the foot (heel).

Group 2 – the Reflexology Group – was composed of 22 children, who received the same number of clinic and home sessions. The reflexes stimulated with this group were those of the frontal cortex, parietal lobe cortex, left temporal cortex and eyes.

Results

No significant changes resulted in Group 1 in any of the tests used to assess attention level and school performance.

Group 2 showed an improved reading speed average of 19% and improved mathematical calculation average of 21%. On the ADHD scale, a score of 18 or more indicates a diagnosis of ADD; 18 or less, not. The ratings of the subjects in Group 2 dropped from 20 to 14.

Another speaker at the conference, Lilian Tibshraeny-Morten, an acupuncturist and reflexologist, spoke of the importance of stimulating the liver reflex when working with children of ADHD.

So, there you have it – the latest guidelines in offering productive reflexology sessions to children with ADD: detailed work on the brain reflexes, eyes and liver. Let us know your results.