What is reflexology?
Reflexology refers to pressure and massage techniques, e.g. on the foot, hand or ear, which have a regulating effect on all organ systems of the body. Certain areas of the feet, hands or ears correspond to certain organs and areas of the body.
How does reflexology work?
There are different theories about how the stimulus travels from the reflex zone to the corresponding organ in the body.
The theories relate to our nervous system and its control center, the brain, as well as to the division of the body into 10 vertical zones according to Dr. Fitzgerald, which also represent a control system.
What does reflexology do?
Without going into details, here are some of the main effects that I have seen time and again in practice.
- Support for all organs in their function
- Stimulation of the metabolism and detoxification
- Deep relaxation
- Stress reduction - and prevention
- Maintaining vitality and health into old age (with regular use)
- Pain relief
- Compensation for organ dysfunction
- Healing support for various diseases and symptoms
As we supplement techniques in the therapeutic area that are not used in the wellness area, we also have some additions in the effect.
The method is therefore suitable for supporting and strengthening the body and health from infancy to old age. It balances stress and prevents it before the body burns out (burnout syndrome).
There would be many more individual effects to mention at this point that prove the experiences. Please feel free to ask me about specific topics that are not mentioned here.
Studies and evidence on the effect of reflexology
The effect has so far been proven by research studies and application experience.
Here are two studies that were carried out in the context of reflexology therapy.
In the context of non-healing activities, e.g. in foot care and/or cosmetics, we apply reflexology with a uniform technique and low pressure that reaches all reflex zones, but do not pursue any healing intention. Although the studies mentioned here refer to healing, they also show that the reflexology method has an effect. We can also apply this fact to the use of reflexology with the aim of relaxation and supporting well-being.
The following two studies are just two of many that have been carried out in recent years. Both have realized a high standard of scientific methodology.
1st study: Empirical study on the use of hand, foot and ear reflexology for premenstrual complaints
Result: The improvement rate for women who received targeted treatment was 63.6%
1992 (Los Angeles, USA) organized by Bill Flocco and Terry Oleson
Content: The improvement rate of the women receiving targeted treatment was 63.6% and that of the placebo group 27.5%. The placebo group received a treatment in which the affected reflex localizations were deliberately omitted. The treatment period was eight weeks. The results mentioned here were obtained two months after the treatment period.
Publication: Obstetrics & Gynecology, No.6, 1993, USA
The detailed report of the study is available from "William Sanford Publishing" (Bill Flocco: aareflex@aol.com).
2nd study: Effectiveness of foot reflexology therapy on pain sensation and mobility in mild to moderate knee joint osteoarthritis
Result: Significant improvements in mobility and reduced pain intensity
2006 (Jena/Germany, University Hospital) von Catharina Güttner.
Content: In her dissertation, Catharina Güttner writes in the chapter "Conclusions"
- "Structured reflex zone therapy on the foot in the form of standardized FRZT can positively influence both pain and moderate functional disorders of the knee in patients with stage I to II osteoarthritis of the knee. The therapy results obtained go beyond the level of a placebo effect and are significant in some cases." (p.55, para. 1)
- "This study also showed that general well-being in terms of physical functioning, physical role function, physical pain, vitality, emotional role function, mental health perception and physical impairment, assessed using the SF36 questionnaire, can be noticeably improved. Physical well-being was significantly improved during the series and two months afterwards (follow-up)." (p.55, of the study, para. 3)
Publication: Medical journal "Ärztliche Praxis", article 400625 (the journal was published until 2012)
The dissertation "Effectiveness of foot reflexology on pain and movement function in patients with gonarthrosis" can be found at: https://d-nb.info/100844474X/34
Further information on studies on the effectiveness of reflexology can also be obtained from the Research Committee of the Danish Reflexologists Association. The contact person is Leila Eriksen, a great colleague who has dedicated her life to reflexology research: http://www.leilaeriksen.dk
History of reflexology
There is evidence that this method was already known to people in past cultures.
For us, the American ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Fitzgerald (1888-1974) laid the foundation for the reflexology used today by developing zone therapy. In 1917 he published the book, "Zone Therapy". Shortly afterwards, Dr. Shelby Riley (USA) developed the first graphics with more precise reflex localizations.
Inspired by Fitzgerald, the American Eunice Ingham first published foot reflexology in the USA and then in Europe in the 1950s. Her books "Stories told by the feet" and "Stories told by the feet" (1951) have become fundamental works of foot reflexology.
Fitzgerald worked mainly on the feet, but also on the hands and used zone therapy primarily to combat pain. Based on his findings, he developed the reflex zone model, i.e. he divided the human body from the head to the toes and fingers into 10 parallel longitudinal zones (5 on each half of the body).
© Bill Flocco (American Academy of Rreflexology, Los Angeles)
Dr. Riley supplemented this model in 1919 with transverse zones in the body, and thus also on the feet and hands. (see illustration Cross zones)