Reflexology & Mental Health
A report from the local association of MIND (Worthing) reveals the beneficial effects of reflexology and counselling on mental health patients.
Research was carried out between May 1996 and August 1997 in which a reflexologist and a counsellor worked with a total of 74 people (49 received reflexology and 25 received counselling).
The report’s findings based upon the observations of the therapists and the participants indicate that:
• Physical improvements underpinned feelings of enhanced mental/emotional well-being for many participants. For example, the researchers observed that the release of tension through being able to talk led to greater relaxation, which in turn was found to alleviate headaches and improve sleep.
• With the exception of two participants in the reflexology sample, there was a reported increase in relaxation levels and a decrease in anxiety levels.
• The reflexologist noted that participants developed an increased awareness of tension in the body and an increased ability to change that state, e.g. they consciously altered their breathing and their posture.
• Many participants reported improved emotional status. Fear, worry and despair reported at the beginning of the study were considered to have changed into more positive and fulfilling emotions.
• There was a general consensus among the participants that an offer of more complementary therapies would be of overall benefit within the mental health service.
Perhaps the most interesting finding of the study was that the participants tended to make greater progress when reflexology and counselling were offered together, and the report recommended greater integration of the therapies.
Although this was a small, pilot study which by its very nature is limited in value due to the absence of objective data measurements or traditional scientific audit, the researchers hope that it will ‘form the basis for a further controlled research project, incorporating objective data measurements, or a comprehensive audit’.
Peta Trousdell, Andrea Uphoff-Chmielnik. Making connections: user perception of the effects of Reflexology and Counselling: an evaluation of a complementary health care project at Worthing Mind. September 1997.
(Copies of the report may be obtained from MIND Worthing, 8-10 Durrington Lane, Worthing, W.Sussex BN13 2QB.)
Fatigue
Twelve athletes were divided into two groups: a foot reflexology group and a control group.
The test group received daily reflexology sessions. Both groups underwent the same athletic training and were observed for sleeping, appetite and reactions to training.
The reflexology group showed better qualities of sleep, better appetite and quicker recovery from fatigue and muscle soreness.
Jianguo, Liu and Jingshun, Zhang, "Foot Reflex Zone Massage in Recovery of Fatigue in Athletes," 1994 China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, p. 98 (Xian City, Shan'xi, China)
Migraine headache
One study (Lafuente et al.) found foot reflexology to be as helpful to patients with headaches as medication (flunarizine), yet foot reflexology was fraught with fewer side effects than medication. In a second study (Eichelberger et al.) foot reflexology was used postoperatively on gynecological patients. The intervention group showed a lesser need for medication to enhance bladder tonus than did the control group. The literature describes foot reflexology as enhancing urination, bowel movements and relaxation." Foot reflex zone massage (Kesselring A, Institut fur Pflegeforschung, Bern.)
In a blind random trial, (Lafuente) "examined 32 patients between the ages of 15 and 57. There were 25 women and 7 men randomly assigned to two groups. One group was given a placebo and received reflexology treatments two times a week for two or three months, The other group received Flunarizin treatment ( a selective calcium entry blocker with calmodulin binding properties and histamine blocking activity that has been effective in preventing migraines) and massage of a non -specific area twice a week for 12 sessions. patients were evaluated at the end of the study and again three months after the study.
It was concluded that the reflexology treatment was at least as effective as the Flunarizin treatment and may be classified as an alternative non-pharmacological therapeutic treatment that would be particularly appropriate to those patients that were unable to follow pharmacological treatment."
Testa, Gail W., "A Study on the Effects of Reflexology on Migraine Headaches" August 2000 (http://members.tripod.com/GTesta/Dissertationall.htm)
Lafuente A et al (1990). Effekt der Reflex zonenbehandlung am FuB bezuglich der prophylaktischen Behandlung mit Flunarizin bei an Cephalea-Kopfschmerzen leidenden Patieten.Erfahrungsheilkunde. 39, 713-715.
Heydenreich A., Institution: Abteilung Neurologie, Wilhelm-Pieck-Universitat, Rostock, "Treatment of migraine with controlled reflex methods and stimulation therapy," Schweiz Med Wochenschr Suppl, 62: 88-93 (1994) Authors:. [Review] [0 refs] [German] Zeitschrift fur Arztliche Fortbildung. 82(24):1247-9, 1988.
MeSH Terms: English Abstract; Female; Flunarizine/therapeutic use; Foot*; Genital Diseases, Female/surgery; Headache/therapy; Headache/drug therapy; Human; Massage/methods*; Postoperative Complications/therapy; Reflexotherapy/methods*; Urination Disorders/therapy
