I must first apologise in advance for what I am about to do. I have taken a long time developing this post and I think that it is going to be a complex read and I presently do not see a way to make this "less complex" without watering down the tonality.
Pardon me if there are aspects of this that you do not understand, I will create another post to explain in a short and precise manner what I have penned down here.
Having said that, lets look into Reflexology in some details.
Reflexology- What is it?
Reflexology- a fancy word for a kind of medicine that has gained attention over the last few decades. It is a form of complementary therapy that involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, and ears based on the belief that these points correspond to different organs and systems within the body. People who advocate for it suggest that when these points are stimulated, they can lead to healing and balance. However, the orthodox medical community still questions how valid and effective the procedure it.
This has begun to change in recent times as recent studies have began to uncover a lot of benefits with the process, most of which are in the realm of pain management. This has facilitated a bridge between reflexology and mainstream medicine and many are beginning to wonder if there are greater potential utilities for the complementary form of therapy.
Origins and Principles
Pressure point therapy can be said to be the beginnings for the practice of reflexology. It was developed in ancient Egypt, China and India as a way to enhance general health and well-being. It has since morphed into a modern practice as developed by Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist in the 1930s who developed a theory that specific areas of the feet and hands reflect organs and systems of the body, and by applying pressure in these areas, blockages in the flow of energy could be removed to promote healing.
Yes, it sounds like a very abstract concept and doesn't seem to make scientific sense until you consider it from a Physics or Chemistry point of view. All things are made up of atoms at the sub-level and physics has shown conclusively that every object in the universe has a sort of electromagnetic energy that it emits. I must confess that it is a very complex thought process to comprehend, but when viewed through that lens, reflexology and the concept of relieving enegy blockage doesnt seem like utter madness.
How does reflexology work?
The truth is, we are yet to understand in details how the process works. There are just theories that point to why and how it works. The fact that it works is not so much in question. Some have proposed that the successes recorded by the process can be attributed to a placebo effect. But we are seeing more research that seems to suggest otherwise.
The procedure is usually carried out by using the hands, thumbs or fingers to apply pressure to specific points on the feet or hands called 'reflex points/areas'. As earlier mentioned, these reflex points are thought to correspond to different organs, muscles and systems of the body. It is believed that by stimulating these points, one can promote circulation, relieve tension and stimulate the body's natural healing responses.
There are a few hypotheses as to how reflexology effects it therapy on people. One of them suggests that stimulating reflex points stimulates the nervous system to promote the release of endorphins, noted for their potent effect in reducing pain and anxiety. Another theory proposes that by improving blood circulation to the periphery, reflexology helps to remove toxins and enhance lymphatic drainage, all of which are known to contribute to improved health.
There is no doubt that reflexology is potent in its actions, but there is still a need for a lot more research to standardize methods for its application and for gaining insights into its mechanism of action.
Reflexology in Modern Orthodox Medicine.
There are a few key areas that reflexology has been applied with much results. One of them is in pain management. A study that was published in 2014 by Dalal K. et al showed over 50% efficacy in reducing neuropathic pain due to diabetic neuropathy. In 2011, another study was publishe din the journal of pain management which showed that reflexology was effective in reducing pain intensity in patients with osteoarthritis.
In addition to pain management, reflexology has gaining popularity in the management of symptoms that are associated with the treatment of cancer, including nausea, vomiting, pain and anxiety. A 2019 study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice uncovered the fact that reflexology was seen to improve the physical and emotional well-being of women who were having breast cancer treatment. They noted that the women had improved sleep quality as well as reduced fatigue and anxiety.
Other Applications.
Reflexology is not a cure all therapy. However, its potential to relieve symptoms in a wide range of conditions including digestive issues are being investigated. By stimulating specific reflex areas that are believed to be connected to the digestive system, bowel movements can be promoted to alleviate any discomfort. There isn't much data for this use, but the hope is that in the coming years, research would uncover gems that would be essential in managing digestive conditions.
There is some promising research into how reflexology can help people recovering from surgery to enable them hasten the healing process. A study in 2020 showed that patients who received reflexology after surgery experienced a reduction in pain and discomfort compared to those who did not receive it.
Limitations
The reason for the controversy surrounding reflexology as a practice remains the act that there has been a lack of large-scale studies that demonstrate that it is effective. Most of the research has been small scale studies and hence, critics argue that the effectiveness of the procedure is mainly due to the placebo effect.
Reflexology in Modern Medical practice.
Hospices and palliative care settings have seen the most increase in the use of reflexology as part of a holistic aproach topatient care. Reflexology is not viewed as a replacement to traditional therapy but rather as a complementary therapy that can help to enhance the overall wellbeing of the individual.
Medical professionals, especially those in a part of medicine called 'integrative medicine' are beginning to see the importance of addressing the mind body connection and reflexology seems to be one way to do it.
Conclusion.
Some years ago, reflexology was seen as voodoo medicine practiced by quacks and village elders. Today, that perception is changing and we are gradually gaining understanding of it's role in modern medicine for pain management, stress reduction as well as enhancing overall wellbeing through its anxiolytic effects. It is true that more research is needed to understand and fully validate the efficacy of the process but knowing that it has gained some traction in the orthodox medical community speaks to it's efficacy as a complementary tool in the arsenal of medicine.
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