Reflexology ResearchReflexology & Emotional HealingPart of the joy of living, are the ups and downs we confront. Not everything is simple or easy, and it’s important to know that we have resources to help us through these times. Expand the topics below to see how reflexology can support emotional healing.
Insomnia
70 patients with insomnia were divided into two groups. Group 1 received a duration of 10 sessions with a frequency of twice a day. Group 2 received 10 sessions with a frequency of only once a day. Group 1 showed 88.57% improvement after five days and 100% after ten days. Group 2 showed 22.86% improvement after 5 days and 91.43% after 10 days. Gao, W., Wang, Z., and Liu, H.(1996). "Preliminary Exploration of Treatment for Insomnia." 1996 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing : China Reflexology Association, pages 7-8. Productivity
Reflexology has been known to increase productivity in the workplace. There are several clinical studies that have measured employee productivity while having an in-house reflexologist. Take a look at just one study. In this study, 40 clients were given foot reflexology in the workplace. The results show that absenteeism went from 9.6 days to 5.27. 97.5% of the patients reported relief from physical pains going on in their body. 62% reported improvement, 35% reported partial improvement, and 77.5% reported positive secondary effects. Here we can see that employee absentee days went down by almost 50% simply by receiving reflexology. We can also see that almost every employee reported that any physical issues in their body improved. On top of this, employees reported that their overall well being improved by almost 50%. Quite multifaceted results from having reflexology services on the work site. Terp, H., "Municipal Reflexology in Svendborg, A Study of the Effect of Reflexology Treatment in the Eastern District of The Municipality of Svendborg, Denmark." Danish Reflexologists Association Research Committee Report, 1995. Opioid Addiction
In a study of 13 patients aged 20 to 36 who had addictions to opium derived substances. They received 10 minutes of reflexology each day along with acupuncture. After treatments their abstinence symptoms were gone and the patients reported feeling back to normal. Gu, C. and Long, Z. (1996). "An Initial Exploration of the Treatment for Abstinence Syndrome with Reflexology." 1996 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing : China Reflexology Association, pages 125-127. Reflexology & Limited MobilityReflexology has been shown to enhance neuromuscular function in individuals with compromised mobility. Expand the topics below to learn more:
Multiple Sclerosis
53 hospital patients with MS were divided into two groups. The treatment group received foot reflexology once a week for 11 weeks. The control group received generalized calf massage. The results showed that specific reflexology alleviated sensory, motor, and urinary symptoms for the treatment group. There were significant decreases in intensity and duration of paresthesia (unpleasant bodily sensations) and urinary symptoms. A significant improvement in spasticity and a slight improvement in muscle strength was also noted in this group. Siev-Ner, I., Gamus, D., Lerner-Geva, L., Achiron, A., “Reflexology Treatment Relieves Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Study.” 2003 Multiple Sclerosis, pages 356-361 Post Operation
This study recorded the results of 60 patients who had just undergone surgery. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 received reflexology treatments as well as standard drugs. Group 2 received standard drugs only. Pain levels were recorded and measured using the pain scale 0-10. The group receiving reflexology showed a greater decrease in pain levels and needed less pain medication than those who had received medication only. Choudhary, S., “Effects of Reflexology for Prevention of Post-Operative Nausea Vomiting.” Reflexology Across America, Spring 2006 Edition Reflexology & Female HealthReflexology has been used to address every facet of women’s health, managing difficulties with menstruation, infertility, pregnancy, labor, and menopause. Expand the topics below to read about research studies exploring the use of this therapy for some of these issues:
Infertility
Infertility is often due to cysts on the ovaries or some type of gynecological disease that is throwing the reproductive organs out of balance. Here is a study that illustrates the effectiveness of reflexology in relieving gynecological diseases. The study was comprised of 50 women who suffered from either menstrual disorders, hysteromyoma, pelvic inflammations, cyst and mass, dysmenorrhea, infertility and chocolate cyst for a duration ranging from 1 to 10 years. The patients received a thirty minute treatment every day for a minimum of 10 sessions and a maximum of 2 years. 42 cases had significant improvement while 8 had slight improvement. Hui, S., "Foot Reflexo-therapy in the Treatment for 50 Cases of Gynecological Diseases." 1996 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing : China Reflexology Association, pages 61-63. Menstrual Pain
Here is one of many studies that illustrates how reflexology has been used to relieve painful periods. The sample group was made up of 36 female patients who had suffered from painful periods for a duration ranging from 6 months to 10 years. They each received reflexology every 2 days. Symptoms were reported to have decreased by 75%. Wang, J., "Clinical Observation on the Treatment for 36 Cases with Dysmenorrhea by Foot Reflexotherapy." 1998 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing : China Reflexology Association, pages 56-57 Menopause Difficulties
This 10 day study investigated results for 82 patients, aged 42 to 55 years old, who were experiencing climacteric syndrome. Patients were given a 30 minute foot reflexology treatment every day for 10 days. Effective treatment rates ranged between 85 and 97 percent. Sun, J., "Observation on the Therapeutic Effect of 82 Cases of Climacterium Syndrome Treated with Reflexotherapy." 1998 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing : China Reflexology Association, pages 60-61. |
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