I am inspired by the research findings that I read these days regarding reflexology, Reiki, craniosacral therapy and massage. I hope and trust that all professional therapists are using this valuable information to reach out and help more and more people in their communities who are living with debilitating and often life-threatening health conditions.
That is what motivated me back in 2009 to include a class on evidence-based research and the writing of case reports in my Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification curriculum. With that information in their pockets, students choose a health condition they would like to explore and create and implement a case study on their own.
To date, the research conditions the Academy has archived include fibromyalgia, endometriosis, diabetes, cancer, panic disorder, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, migraine headaches, liver disease, constipation, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic back pain, Parkinson’s disease, chronic hand pain, lymphedema, de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, upper extremity mobility, uroschesis, anosmia, and Marfan Syndrome.
To read the studies, including methodology, results and conclusions, please visit this link.
I make these studies available to show some proof – albeit, limited – of reflexology’s potential to influence certain health conditions. They are great educational and marketing tools. Give those clients who want to see proof that reflexology might help them improve the quality of their lives what they want! Use these findings to encourage people you know to give reflexology a try.
You may share links to any of these papers, if you wish.
This wonderful information and I can’t wait to start reading. Also a great opportunity for students too.
Thanks for taking the time to write, Rachael. I agree that the opportunity for the students to complete these studies was well-appreciated. They got so much out of doing them.