Google Website Translator Gadget_________ ATTENTION "Αγγλικά" is ENGLISH !!!!!

Τρίτη 27 Ιανουαρίου 2015

Evidence Based Medicine

Conventional medicine is very far from being fully evidence based and the NHS has not decided to remove interventions that are not evidence based from what it offers to the public. Thus it is hypocritical and disingenuous for opponents of CAM to call for homeopathy for example to be removed from the NHS for ‘lack of evidence’. Why is this disingenuous? Because it leaves in the public’s mind the very false message that conventional medicine is obviously all evidence-based.

Unfortunately for people like Edzard Ernst, Michael Baum, Simon Singh, Ben Goldacre et al, that use EBM (evidence based medicine) as a tool to attack homeopathy and CAM exclusively, the case for orthodox medicine being evidence-based just got a whole lot worse.


http://drkaplan.co.uk/2010/06/homeopathy/575/


http://clinicalevidence.bmj.com/x/set/static/cms/efficacy-categorisations.html

Σάββατο 17 Ιανουαρίου 2015

Woman Sues Over Reflexology Socks — But Do They Really Work?

Woman Sues Over Reflexology Socks — But Do They Really Work?

https://www.yahoo.com/health/woman-sues-over-reflexology-socks-but-do-they-108269107537.html
(Photo: Flickr/Feel my feet - Day 16)

This is a realy interesting story, we wonder what the outcome will be, especially since....

"the amount in controversy exceeds the sum
of value of 5,000,000.00, excluding interest and costs" page 4http://www.scribd.com/doc/252646919/Orgasmic-Stockings-Lawsuit#scribd

What 2 things we also find interesting are:

1. In Christine Issel's book, Reflexology: Art, Science, Historyhttp://www.christineissel.com/reflexology_histor.html, Christine tells us that Eunice Ingham tried applying pieces of cotton to peoples reflexes on the feet, a tactic similar to these socks. The results Eunice describes where the opposite of what she was hoping for. I suppose not enough can be said of the importance of knowing history!

2. On the website’s section on the science of reflexology there is an interactive chart depicting a few reflexes. The brain reflex and the heart reflexes are placed on areas I have never encountered before!!!!?
http://www.kushyfoot.com/en/reflexology-feet-comfort.aspx

Pain Science patient and therapist workbook 2015

This workbook is an introduction to understanding why we have pain and what we can do about it.

The book should be used with a therapist and a patient.
Each page in the book introduces a concept about pain and that is followed by questions to be answered by someone in pain to make those concepts relevant to the person in pain.
To Therapists: Pain is a person specific event. Therefore, not every lesson about pain is relevant to each person. Feel free to choose which sheets are relevant.

http://www.physiofundamentals.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Pain-Science-patient-and-therapist-workbook-2015.pdf

ΣΠΥΡΟΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΑΚΟΥΛΑΣ: Ο "ΜΑΓΟΣ" ΤΩΝ ΛΥΚΩΝ





Τρίτη 13 Ιανουαρίου 2015

Τρεις κυρίες πίνουν τσαί ή Sān Yīn Jiāo ή SP 6




Παρασκευή 9 Ιανουαρίου 2015

Book review Relational Reflexology: The Blog Posts

Around the world much debate on various levels and areas (legal, social, economic, scientific) has been going on regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine, of course as Reflexologists we should also focus on the debate regarding our modality more closely.

The time of anecdotal evidence and unsupported claims is fading away, especially and specifically if one has the ambition of Reflexology accepted and integrated in what we call western medicine.

I consider myself your everyday Reflexologist, I have not gone through nor posses academic rationale. 
I love offering Reflexology; I feel very good at it, and enjoy my acceptance as a practitioner from the recipients of our modality. 
The first time I touched another person’s feet with the intention to offer what we call Reflexology was in 1992.

I state these things because these issues are adressed in the book and by reading Nicholas book, Relational Reflexology: The Blog PostsI lived again my development from the first glance I took at a Reflexology chart to how I anticipate who I am as Reflexologist today, what I am doing today, and pausing for a moment now, choosing how to proceed. 

For a long time now I feel very strongly that there is more to Reflexology then just stimulating a given reflex point. If you also have felt this way but have found it difficult to put down in words, then this book is for you. This book contains the answer to the question 

“What makes a successful Reflexologist”. 

Of course there is not one answer to that question, for every recipient of our method there is at least one element of our multidimensional method that they relate too. I never would have expected for somebody to find an easy to understand, thoroughly structured step by step, and academically sound way to surface all that Reflexology is.

For instance the area of research, this can be a very stressful area for your average Reflexologist, by now we already know that research is not only offering Reflexology. 
But what is it, what is bias, blinding, quantitative/qualitative? 

Nichola explains these and much more in simple language, even for me your average Reflexologist. I understand now and can utilize the information.

Who are our clients, why do they come to us, probably for Reflexology. But why do they commit to treatments with me with you? In some cases for a long ongoing period of time, even when the initial issue has gone. 

Is it me? What part about me? 
If I only new, I would refine these qualities, I would get better. 

Nichola addresses this, it is like she has seen me and you work. She even has advice on how to get better, stay humble and introduces us to the ethics associated.

I appreciated very much the information on Traditional Chinese medicine and the examples given from her own experience on how to utilize this knowledge in our practice. 
Of course the tremendous amount of information provided on the unattractive matter of scientific principles like, psychoneuroimmunology, cognitive neuroscience, are offered to the reader in such an attractive way that you wish there was more. 
I understood, and there are no pictures, incredible! I can begin to explain, justify what I am doing when I touch someone’s feet.

The chapters of the book  addressing complex health issues like sub-fertility and migraine could easily each be a book on their own. There is a lot of useful information, information that you as a Reflexologist can immediately use.

This is not another book depicting a new method or a new chart, it is a book about you the individual therapist, and what makes you as a Reflexologist special and unique. 
Either novice or experienced Reflexologist, think of it as a book of the possible "new you", it will help you find yourself!

At the end of this review I have a confession to make.

I am in despair!

I am to speak at the 2015 ICR conference about the science behind Reflexology, leaving the charts aside. 

By reading Nicholas book I see that she has covered many parts of my planned presentation! 

What am I to do?

I know, I will utilize her information also, I will develop, I will make it even better, I will become better. Maybe that is what Nichola means by self-development.  

This paragraph kind of stood out for me.

"Leaning too heavily towards understanding the exact mechanics of a reflexology encounter from a solely quantifiable stand-point might be akin to trying to understand the taste and texture of a chocolate cake through describing its molecular structure. Whilst it might be useful to know how it is constructed, perhaps it is the taste that really counts.

Spiros Dimitrakoulas



Πέμπτη 8 Ιανουαρίου 2015

After Slovenia, now Australia, ...let us hope nothing happens to Denmark!

Tax subsidies for Swedish massage, aromatherapy absurd say health experts



Public health experts are calling on the Federal Government to end to a long-running debate on the future of public subsidies for complementary health treatments.

A draft Government report leaked this week has added to speculation the Government is preparing to scrap public funding of a range of natural therapies offered by private health insurance companies.

The insurance industry and complementary medicine groups are adamant subsidies for natural therapies like iridology and reflexology should continue.

Deborah Cornwall reports.

DEBORAH CORNWALL: Australia's love affair with complementary medicines last year cost taxpayers more than $135 million in public subsidies for private health insurers.

That's a staggering 335 per cent increase in the past decade - a trend public health experts say is both alarming and unsustainable, because there's still no scientific evidence that any of the natural therapies even work.

The Australian Department of Health has found none of the 17 natural therapies which are covered by health insurers and subsided by the government – including aromatherapy, reflexology and yoga – have been proven to work on patients.
The report will pu
t pressure on Tony Abbott's government to either strip the rebate from polices that have no evidence suggesting they work, or to fund an expensive research program to resolve the efficacy and effectiveness issue for good.

http://www.3news.co.nz/world/no-evidence-natural-therapies-work---doctors-2015010808#ixzz3OE0OHY00

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/phi-natural-therapies


Reflexology Research from Iran

Comparing the effects of reflexology methods and Ibuprofen administration on dysmenorrhea in female students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences


RESULTS:

Findings of the study showed that the two groups had no statistically significant difference in terms of demographic characteristics (p > 0.05). Reflexology method was associated with more reduction of intensity and duration of menstrual pain in comparison with Ibuprofen therapy. Independent and Paired t-test showed that there was a significant difference in the two groups between intensity and duration of menstrual pain using VAS and PRI in each of the 3 cycles between reflexology and Ibuprofen groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Considering the results of the study, reflexology was superior to Ibuprofen on reducing dysmenorrhea and its treatment effect continued even after discontinuing the intervention in the third cycle. Therefore, considering that reflexology is a non-invasive, easy and cheap technique, it seems that it can replace anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to avoid their adverse side effects.

Τρίτη 6 Ιανουαρίου 2015

I always wondered about Reflexology in Egypt, here is some research!

Effect of Reflexology on Pain and Quality of Life in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis
 http://www.lifesciencesite.com/lsj/life0802/49_5179life0802_357_365.pdf


Therefore, reflexology must be considered as a complementary treatment modality in rheumatoid
arthritis. It should be introduced to nursing and medical students, and in postgraduate staff development programs.
Further research is recommended for the long-term effects of this treatment modality in terms of pain and
disablement. Research may also extend to assess the effectiveness of as a useful modality in geriatric care and for
patients with other chronic conditions. 

The reflexology intervention:
Reflexology therapy is not massage, and it is not
a substitute for medical treatment. Source: The
reflexology manipulations in this intervention have
been adapted from the techniques taught in David
Vennells' book entitled Healing Hands: Simple and
practical reflexology techniques for developing good
health and inner peace (David Vennell 2007). A
reflexology session involves pressure treatment that
is most commonly administered in foot therapy
sessions of approximately 20 minutes in duration.
The foot therapy may be followed by a brief 15-
minute hand therapy session and 5 minute for video
film on reflexology treatment. No artificial devices or
special equipment are associated with this therapy. If
the part of the body corresponding to the reflex area
is out of balance then a degree of tenderness will be
felt in the foot when pressure is applied. Treatment to
all of the reflex areas in both feet takes about 40
minutes and during this time the patient is sitting in a
comfortable, reclining position with the feet raised.
Treatment is not applied to inflamed or painful joints.
After receiving a massage treatment, the patient is
instructed to drink water to eliminate toxin and lactic

acids developed during the massage process. 

Reflexology research from Korea

Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing. 01/2009; 16(1).

You can read the pdf paper in Korean here
http://ocean.kisti.re.kr/downfile/volume/kafn/GBGHC1/2009/v16n1/GBGHC1_2009_v16n1_39.pdf



Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 10/2009; 39(5):662-72. · 0.36 Impact Factor


You can read the pdf paper in Korean here

http://synapse.koreamed.org/Synapse/Data/PDFData/0006JKAN/jkan-39-662.pdf

The Effects on Aromatherapy and Foot Reflex Massage on the
Cognition, Anxiety, Aggressive Behavior and Wandering Behavior

of Elderly with Dementia

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy and a foot reflex massage program on the
cognition, anxiety, aggressive behavior, and wandering behavior of elderly with dementia. The research design
was a non-equivalent control group, quasi-experimental study where 43 subjects were divided into two groups.
Aromatherapy and foot reflex massage was administered to the experimental group (N=21), and no treatment
was administered to the control group (N=22). The data was analyzed using the χ2-test, t-test, while the
repeated measures of ANOVA were utilized with the SPSS/Win 18.0 program. The experimental group did not
show significant differences in cognitive function; however, it showed significant differences in anxiety,
aggressive behavior, and wandering behavior in relation to the control group. Thus this research suggests
aromatherapy and a foot reflex massage program as nursing intervention to improve the quality of life of

elderly with dementia.

http://ocean.kisti.re.kr/downfile/volume/dpm/DJTJBT/2013/v11n12/DJTJBT_2013_v11n12_495.pdf




Journal of East-West Nursing Research. 01/2010; 16(2).

http://ocean.kisti.re.kr/downfile/volume/ewnri/DSKHBO/2010/v16n2/DSKHBO_2010_v16n2_190.pdf

Reflexology treatment for patients with lower limb amputations and phantom limb pain--an exploratory pilot study.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18396256


Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the possibility of reflexology being used as a non-invasive form of phantom limb pain relief and of empowering patients to maintain any positive results with self-treatment.

SETTING:

Prosthetic Services Centre, Herbert Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England.

DESIGN:

A same-subject, experimental pilot study, recording the intensity of phantom limb pain in weekly pain diaries over a 30-week period, which was divided into five phases: phase 1 gave a baseline of pain, whilst phase 3 was a resting phase. Phases 2, 4 and 5 provided the reflexology interventions.

SAMPLE:

Ten participants with unilateral lower limb amputations and phantom limb pain were selected from the database at the Prosthetic Centre. REFLEXOLOGY INTERVENTIONS: In phase 2, six weekly reflexology treatments were given, which consisted of: full foot reflexology to the remaining foot and full hand reflexology to the hand of the amputated side of the body. In phase 4, six weekly hand reflexology teaching sessions were carried out; patients copied on their own hands what the therapist did on hers. A hand reflexology booklet gave the sequence of the treatment and was used as a reference. In phase 5, the patients self-treated for 6 weeks at home, using the reference material.

RESULTS:

Over the 30-week period, there was an improvement in the perception of the presence and the intensity of the phantom limb pain, with a corresponding improvement in the duration of the pain and the affect on the person's lifestyle. The improvement was maintained when the clients self-treated. FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONNAIRE: A follow-up questionnaire was carried out in 2007--12 months after the project had ended--to elicit whether the patients had suffered from phantom pain over the previous 12 months, whether they still had relief from phantom limb pain and whether they still self-treated.

CONCLUSIONS:

The project indicated that reflexology treatment, teaching and self-treatment were effective in eradicating or reducing the intensity and duration of phantom limb pain, in this group of clients. The follow-up questionnaire revealed that there was a maintained improvement in the intensity of phantom limb pain the patients experienced and that the majority still self-treated.

Stephenson Study Shows Reflexology Delivers Relief

In a two-year study, an East Carolina University School of Nursing researcher saw significant decreases in pain and anxiety in cancer patients whose partners used reflexology or manual pressure applied to specific points on their feet.

The findings of Nancy L.N. Stephenson, associate professor in the School of Nursing and principle investigator, were published in the January issue of “Oncology Nursing Forum.” Co-investigators include her colleagues in the nursing school, Melvin Swanson and Martha Engelke, as well as JoAnn Dalton at Emory University and Frances J. Keefe at Duke University. The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

Stephenson, a certified reflexologist, has applied for additional federal funding to continue her research into the effects of partner-delivered foot reflexology.


http://www.ecu.edu/cs-admin/news/poe/2007/207/stephenson.cfm?fb_locale=pt_BR



Κυριακή 4 Ιανουαρίου 2015

Taking the Massage Therapy Profession to the Next Level

"How can a profession which is practiced on the beach or in a hotel spa have a meaningful impact on public health?" The popularity of massage alone makes it a powerful tool for promoting public health. Massage therapists should accept the need for entry-level practitioners to learn certain interprofessional competencies.
The authors contend, in order for massage therapists to maximize their impact on public health, "They will need to embrace their responsibility as true healthcare providers and not retreat to the shelter of the limited scope of technicians." 

http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=15012

Παρασκευή 2 Ιανουαρίου 2015

Effect of self-administered foot reflexology for symptom management in healthy persons: A systematic review and meta-analysis

In Michigan Gwenn Wyatt is looking into caregivers offering Reflexology, this research is looking into self adminitrated reflexology.

If it is such a safe, easy to learn and easy to offer modality, why the high level of training and regulation?

Summary

Objectives

Self-administered foot reflexology is unrestricted by time and space, economical, and practical because it is easy to learn and apply. This study estimated the effectiveness of self-foot reflexology for symptom management in healthy persons through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

The participants were healthy persons not diagnosed with a specific disease. The intervention was foot reflexology administered by participants, not by practitioners or healthcare providers. The comparative studies either between groups or within group comparison were included. Our search utilized core databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and CINAHL). We also searched Chinese (CNKI), Japanese (J-STAGE), and Korean databases (KoreaMed, KMbase, KISS, NDSL, KISTI, and OASIS). The search was used MeSH terminology and key words (foot reflexology, foot massage, and self).

Results

Analysis of three non-randomized trials and three before-and-after studies showed that self-administered foot reflexology resulted in significant improvement in subjective outcomes such as perceived stress, fatigue, and depression. However, there was no significant improvement in objective outcomes such as cortisol levels, blood pressure, and pulse rate. We did not find any randomized controlled trial.

Conclusions

This study presents the effectiveness of self-administered foot reflexology for healthy persons’ psychological and physiological symptoms. While objective outcomes showed limited results, significant improvements were found in subjective outcomes. However, owing to the small number of studies and methodological flaws, there was insufficient evidence supporting the use of self-performed foot reflexology. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the effect of self-administered foot reflexology in healthy people.