Academy of Ancient Reflexology
Professional Therapeutic Reflexology
Having gone through a couple of months myself with a chronic pain in my hands, I can sympathize with the subject of this study. As an artist having to use her hands in so many ways all day just to keep her business alive, well… it couldn’t have been easy.
Read how recent Academy grad, Annalisa Derryberry tackled this troublesome issue.
Next month will mark the 14th anniversary of the first randomized controlled study of reflexology published in a scientific journal in the United States.
And it’s one that should convince you of the benefit of reflexology for women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Over 90% of women claim to experience some of the symptoms of PMS, so it’s nice to know we can help. [1]
“Randomized Controlled Study of Premenstrual Symptoms Treated with Ear, Hand and Foot Reflexology” was conducted at the American Academy of Reflexology in California and led by Terry Oleson, Ph.D. and Bill Flocco, the director of the Academy. Academy grads participated to provide sessions over a 6-month period.
Fifteen physical and 15 psychological symptoms were tracked every day of the study’s duration. The control group, which received no reflexology, showed no change in their symptoms; the placebo group reported a 19% reduction in symptoms, and the group that received reflexology reported a 47% reduction of symptoms. That is a significant result!
The results of the study were published in Obstetrics and Gynecology in December 1993. You can read the full report here.
[1] https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/premenstrual-syndrome
Studies document that chronic pain affects more people in the United States, and incurs greater costs than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined. I’ll repeat that: Chronic pain affects more people in the United States and incurs greater costs than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined. There are an estimated 100 million people in the United States living with chronic pain, most of the back, headaches or arthritis. [i]
To compound the problem, opiates and other drugs do a poor job of relieving much chronic pain and can result in serious risks, including addiction.
Two participants in last year’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification decided to research whether regular reflexology would help two women who have suffered from back pain for years.
Read Eleanor Miles study here and Rebecca Tate’s here.
[i] Scientific American, December 2014
Imagine a life devoid of scents: like the smell of a newborn’s head, fresh flowers, just baked bread and/or a wet pine forest. That is what life is like for someone living with anosmia, the loss or impairment of the sense of smell.
Additionally, with the loss of smell comes the impairment of taste and decreased enjoyment of food. That is because our perception of flavor is determined by the convergence of abilities to detect odor and taste.
Kelli Sharping, a graduate of the Academy’s 2016 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification decided she would like to see whether regular reflexology would help someone who had been living with anosmia for two and a half years, well past the acknowledged time for recovery.
You can read her research case study here.
By Christine Issel, NBCR
Christine Issel is synonymous with reflexology. With over 40 years in the industry, she can rightfully claim co-creation of the Reflexology Association of America, the American Reflexology Certification Board and the International Council of Reflexologists. She is a much sought-after consultant, lecturer, editor, legislative lobbyist and the author of three popular books: Reflexology: Art, Science and History; Eunice Ingham: A Biography; and Reflexognosy: A Shift in Paradigm (with Sandi Rogers). I am thrilled that Christine agreed to write a guest blog, the request for which was stimulated by my reading of her ground-breaking book on Reflexognosy. Feel free to post comments below this article or contact Christine through her website.
For reflexologists, the questions often arise: Is working slowly more advantageous than working fast? Is it more beneficial to use light to moderate pressure than heavy pressure so that the client can more easily and quickly reach a relaxation response? Is there research supporting answers to these questions?
Here I will attempt to explain some known facts about energy and share some research findings that may shed light on these questions.
Energy Systems
Energy not only surrounds us, it interpenetrates the cells of our body.
The organs of our body are composed of tissues made up of cells, which are in turn made up of molecules and atoms, which are all whirling, pulsating, vibrating fields of energy. All matter vibrates and has a frequency. Within the body are different energy frequencies and systems.
According to the Tiller-Einstein model, the first level of energy moving faster than light is the etheric frequency of matter and energy. On the gross or physical level of the body (i.e., the physical level comprising the densest level of energy) there are biochemical and bioelectrical networks at play. At this level, matter and energy are primarily electrical in nature.
In addition, there are higher invisible energies – a life force – responsible for life and creative expression beyond ordinary human perception. The energy/matter beyond the speed of light is electromagnetic in nature. This electromagnetic network involves the work of the finer subtle energy systems of acupuncture meridians and the chakra-nadis.
The Electro-Magnetic Current
Dr. Robert Becker, (1985) a respected orthopedic surgeon and author of The Body Electric and Cross Currents suggests there is proof the body is an electrical unit operating within an electrical web and an electrical energetic field surrounding the body.
Becker found that the points along the acupuncture meridians enhance the electromagnetic current flowing in the body. It was detected that the meridians had the electrical characteristics of transmission lines, while skin not associated with meridians did not.
Dr. Becker further documented the existence of an underlying electromagnetic life force within the body that stimulates it to grow and heal. His studies show that an injury causes the brain to send low-level electrical signals to the wound that stimulate repair. As the repair process continues this signal diminishes in intensity. The slower stimulating signal in turn slows the repair activity and when the wound heals the signal stops.
Becker found that if the level of current is in a very low range, regeneration occurs. If it is much higher, cell degeneration results. This may explain the healing properties of relaxation, biofeedback and meditation; all of which calm and slow the body down.
Brain Waves
Electrical activity emanating from the brain is displayed in the form of brainwaves.
There are five categories of these brainwaves, ranging from the most activity to the least. At 40 Hz, Gamma waves are important for information processing and learning. In the Beta state, we are the most alert (our day consciousness). This frequency of human brain activity is between 12.5 and 30 Hz. In the Alpha state, with an electrical frequency between 8 and 13 Hz, we are relaxed but alert. The Theta state is one of drowsiness. It is the conscious state just before sleeping and just after waking and the state reached in meditation and is measured between 4 and 7 pulses per second. Delta brain waves are the slowest between 0.1 and 4 cycles per second. When asleep and dreaming, we have reached the Delta state.
These last two stages of brain activity are necessary for the healing and regeneration process to occur.
Reflexology and Brain Waves
In human electroencephalogram (EEG) studies, reflexology was found to create a relaxation response or put the body in a theta state, a state in which it may begin the rejuvenation process and work to the best of its ability to heal itself.
This was confirmed in EEG studies conducted by Dr. Jesus Manzanares, who compared the changes in wave amplitudes with patients receiving reflexology. The EEG presented waves that changed from alpha to theta and delta with the application of reflexology techniques.
Pressure
Sir Charles Sherrington (1861-1952) proved that the whole nervous system adjusts to a stimulus, earning him a Nobel Prize in 1932. He shared the prize with Dr. Edgar Adrian for their work on the physiology of the nervous system.
Adrian also made a discovery all reflexologists should be aware of.
Not long after World War I, he showed that the electrical intensity of the nerve impulse depended on the size of the nerve rather than upon the strength of the stimulus. His discovery suggests heavy pressure is not needed in our work—moderate to light pressure could be just as effective.
The Answers
The above may explain why some reflexologists find that slower movements and moderate to light pressure contribute to a stronger therapy that gives them access to the inner depths of the client both physically and emotionally.
However, it is this author’s contention that all reflexologists have their own innate rate of working just as they have their own unique touch. Each of us must answer the questions posed at the beginning of this article for ourselves, or through training modify our technique for maximum effectiveness.
Alzheimer’ disease is in the news a lot these days – and for good reason. The incidence of attack is growing at an alarming rate with little recourse for treatment and no agreement on what causes this life-changing disorder.
Leigh Baker, DNP and grad of the Academy’s 2015 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Certification, offers us a glimpse into the life of someone living with Alzheimer’s and her caregivers in her research case study. You can read her findings and treatment protocol here.
It would be surprising if you didn’t know someone who suffers with migraines. It is a common disorder affecting at least 28 million people in the United States and millions more around the world. The statistics are frightening; the reality of living with migraines crippling.
Julie Wesling, AAR grad, decided to see if a combination of foot and hand reflexology might help a 43-year-old woman who has suffered with migraine headaches for half her life. You can read Julie’s protocol and the results here.
Constipation is a condition that plagues many people, and more so at different times in one’s life.
Women experience more difficulty during their menstrual cycle, people taking certain medications (particularly pain meds) often complain of constipation, and those whose lives are more sedentary – especially the elderly (who may also be taking a number of pharmaceutical drugs).
Although little research has been done regarding the effects of reflexology on constipation, many, many people swear to its effectiveness.
Kelly Estapa, a graduate of the Academy’s 2015 reflexology certification program decided to test the hypothesis with a 6-week case study with an 85-year old subject. Here are the results.
Over the years, I have worked with a number of clients suffering with fibromyalgia. In all of these cases, people came to me having heard that my sessions brought more relief than just massage therapy (which they were already receiving).
I don’t for one minute believe that my skills as a massage therapist exceeded those of the other therapists – but I did have an advantage.
My protocol was to first do foot reflexology to relax the nervous system and then massage the targeted areas of tenderness. Without fail, the addition of reflexology – given first – got far better results than just massage.
What the Research Says
Studies on fibromyalgia (FM) are beginning to explain why reflexology is such an effective approach to this chronic condition. The research now points to FM as a central nervous system (CNS) disorder, not an autoimmune affliction of the peripheral tissue, as once believed.[1]
Since reflexology has such a strong positive influence on the nervous system, it makes sense that it can provide such positive benefits for people with FM.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia affects more than 3 million Americans, mostly women. It is a complex chronic disorder characterized by primary symptoms of widespread muscle pain and tenderness, fatigue, headaches, difficulty sleeping and irritable bowel syndrome.
fMRI tests show that when people with fibromyalgia are exposed to non-painful stimuli, areas of the brain are activated that normally are only activated by painful stimuli. Researchers believe that this may explain why people suffering with FM are often hypersensitive to all sorts of stimuli, such as light, sound, certain foods, heat and/or cold, not just pressure or touch.
What Causes It?
Two factors seem to contribute most to the likelihood of developing FSM: genetics (FM tends to run in families) and post traumatic stress syndrome. (Although there is an association between PTSD and FM, it’s important to remember that one does not necessarily cause the other.)
Review of a study of 600 participants with FM suggested that trauma often causes a person’s limbic system to go into overdrive, contributing to the CNS hypersensitivity as discovered in other studies.[2]
Treatment
Working with the fibromyalgia population is definitely not a one size fits all situation. What works for one person may not for another, so flexibility, patience and compassion are essential.
Most people dealing with FM find multiple strategies necessary in order to even decrease stress, improve sleep, reduce depression, and reach any level of daily functionality. Approaches, such as gentle reflexology and massage, acupuncture, yoga, as well as prescription meds are common methods amongst sufferers.
I can tell you though, from my own personal experience, that to bring any level of relief to people living with fibromyalgia is very rewarding. I encourage you to offer reflexology to those you know with FM, and if you’re also a massage therapist, add that in as well to add to the results.
[1] Michael J. Schneider, DC, PhD, David M. Brady, ND, DC, and Stephen M. Perle, DC, MS (2006) Differential diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome: Proposal of a model and algorithm for patients presenting with the primary symptom of chronic widespread pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006 Jul-Aug;29(6):493-501.
[2] Walen HR, Oliver K, Groessl E, Cronan TA, Rodriguez VM. Traumatic events, health outcomes, and health care use in patients with fibromyalgia. J Musculoskeletal Pain 2001;9: 19-38
Data from a Princeton University study adds still another reason to reduce stress in our lives.
Prior to Professor Elizabeth Gould’s research, modern neuroscience was predicated on the hypothesis that all brain neurons emerge during prenatal and early postnatal development; that brain cells were thereafter fixed. Brain development was believed to be determined by effort and determination.
Her research demonstrated two important findings to the contrary:
1. The primate brain (that includes ours!) is always creating new neurons.
2. The structure of the human brain is largely influenced by its surroundings, not by individual effort and determination. The research proved that chronic stress halts the production of brain neurons. This groundbreaking study revealed that the brains of stressed primates literally stopped creating new cells and neural pathways. In addition, evidence showed that existing cells retreated inward. (The brains were said to “disfigure.”)
Gould’s research carries monumental implications when we consider, not only our personal health, but also a society in which stress factors continue to mount.
Fortunately, there is much we can do with reflexology for our clients and ourselves when it comes to both combating stress and encouraging brain development. Reflexology is a modality proven to shift the autonomic nervous system from its “flight or fight” response to stressors to the healing state of “rest and repair”.
When people request a stress-reducing session from me, I immediately focus in on the reflexes of the central nervous system and the solar plexus; add in the adrenal reflexes to support those busy glands in their efforts to respond to excessive stimulation and the diaphragm reflex to aid in deep, relaxed breathing and improved oxygen delivery to the brain.
It’s nice to know, isn’t it, that both stress reduction and brain development can result from something as simple as a soothing session of hand or foot reflexology?
Please join us for an upcoming Reflexology for the Hands workshop or (foot) Reflexology workshop and learn more!
