Reflexology is continually advancing in knowledge, acceptance and integration, and beyond any doubt I "feel" that there is no stopping our modality.As 2014 heads towards its end, it is a good time to reflect back on this year and take note of all that has happened Reflexology wise.
Good and bad? Yes!
Obviously many things are worth mentioning, and many more have happened that we unfortunately have not taken notice of.
This is because there is a language barrier regarding reading and understanding the information from all around the world. There is also an issue that many many Reflexologists are doing great things, but..., they are not spreading the information, networking, they have not even informed their association! Of course, I understand very well that much more is accomplished on an individual level then inside the workings of an association where procedures go through at a slow pace. Even when the information is communicated it is among Reflexologists, but it is not publicised. Besides english speaking countries, other countries (languages) do not exist! Second comes Spanish, Portugese.
So, let me display my 2014 Reflexology Top Ten + 1, even if it is subjective.
If you believe I have left something worthwhile out, tell me about it, I love reading about Reflexology!
Number 10.
The Reflexology work of Lorraine Senior with children with special needs in a
The aim of the therapy is to induce relaxation, improve mood, relieve tension, and encourage social interaction, increase receptiveness and support individual well being. Providing reflexology therapy on a regular basis using FRT Approach has been seen to alleviate the stress and tension particularly in the moment and observation, reflection and evaluation by therapist and staff is ongoing with its continued and increasing use and development in school.
http://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.gr/2014/11/the-power-of-reflexology-on-children.html
http://www.functionalreflextherapy.co.uk/news/article/a-head-teachers-view-on-the-value-of-reflexology.html
Number 9.
In January some interesting research results where published. It is no surprise that reflexology was found to..."Conclusion. This study exhibited the efficient utility of reflexology therapy integrated with conventional medicines in managing diabetic neuropathy."
I expect to see us working in this area more and more. Definetely a good read!
Determination of Efficacy of Reflexology in Managing Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3913279/
http://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.gr/2014/10/determination-of-efficacy-of.html
Number 8.
Some more research came out in Febuary
Reflexology: Its Effects on Physiological Anxiety Signs and Sedation Needs
Reflexology can serve as an effective method of decreasing the physiological signs of anxiety and the required level of sedation in patients receiving mechanically ventilated support. Nurses who have appropriate training and certification may include reflexology in routine care to reduce the physiological signs of anxiety of patients receiving mechanical ventilation.
- See more at: http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/JournalArticle?Article_ID=1637098#sthash.O83xEj12.dpuf
Number 7.
In June, we read something alarming from our USA colleagues.In conjuction with section 2706 (of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly known as “Obamacare") being put on the chopping block. this is concerning news!
The FSMTB (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) has just released a document that should be of grave concern to anyone practicing reflexology in the United States. The Model Practice Act sets out to define and regulate the practice of hands-on healing therapies to include pretty well any form of therapeutic touch. If this draft is accepted by the state legislatures and massage boards, it could very well make it IMPOSSIBLE TO PRACTICE REFLEXOLOGY IN THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT A MASSAGE LICENSE, EVEN IN THOSE STATES THAT HAVE EXEMPTED REFLEXOLOGY FROM MASSAGE.
http://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.gr/2014/06/things-do-not-look-so-good-for.html
Number 6.
Towards the end of this year we saw two exceptional examples of goverments getting into CAM all heart!
One example is that of India appointing a Minister of Yoga
http://www.euronews.com/2014/11/10/india-pm-modi-appoints-yoga-minister/
Imagine a Reflexology minister one day....
..and Turkey legalizing alternative medicine, Reflexology included!
On the down side of this latter news, we also read that
"Only certified physicians and dentists can practice these treatments."
Ok I can tolerate that, ..with the hope to one day see Physicians practsing Reflexology!
Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/12/turkey-alternative-medicine-legalized.html##ixzz3MixRoZb2"Only certified physicians and dentists can practice these treatments."
Ok I can tolerate that, ..with the hope to one day see Physicians practsing Reflexology!
Number 5.
I am biased on this one, but Madeira was the best, once again, a big thank you to our organizers, speakers and delegates!
The 8th RiEN conference in cooperation with the Reflexology organisation
of Madeira took place in the Printing Press Museum, in Câmara de Lobos in
Madeira, from 9-11 May 2014.
RiEN celebrated it's 20th anniversary!
You can
download most of the conference presentations here:
Number 4.
I am delighted to add something from
Greece.
It seems that three members of the Hellenic Association of Reflexologists (HAR) are offering Reflexology in the Pain Clinic of the University Hospital Aretaieio in Athens.
One of the volunteers participated by introducing reflexology with a lecture and demonstration.
The conference was the 15th Panhellenic Conference on Regional Anesthesia, Pain Therapy and Palliative care.
The Reflexologists name is Mirto Chiona and she spoke with other CAM therapists at the workshop titled "Stress management in chronic pain patient".
This is the second time Reflexologists of HAR participated at this annual conference.
Definetely deserves being in the Top Ten.
You can read the scientific programme here:
http://
http://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.gr/2014/09/15_24.html
Number 3.
More research results!
Alternative therapies associated with reduction in cancer-related pain and anxiety, Allina researchers find.
For reducing pain, therapeutic
body massage, reflexology, acupressure and acupuncture were most effective. For
reducing anxiety, no significant difference was found among the therapies.
The study found, as already noted,
that patients’ pain levels dropped an average of 46.9 percent and their anxiety
levels dropped an average of 56.1 percent after the alternative therapy
sessions. Patients with lung, bronchus and trachea cancer reported the biggest
decline in pain, while patients with prostate cancer reported the biggest
decline in anxiety.
This Way In: New Guideline for Alternative and Complementary Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis
Reflexology: This CAM treatment, which involves applying manual
pressure to points on the feet, is possibly effective for MS-related
paresthesia, the guideline authors found. Paresthesia is similar to pins and
needles; a person with MS may feel burning, prickling, or itching sensations on
the skin. Dr. Giesser says that this is one CAM she would consider prescribing
as an alternative to conventional treatments in cases where the conventional
treatments have adverse side effects for a patient.Number 2.
Dr. Heather Greenlee, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, developed a new set of clinical practice guidelines on the use of integrative therapies.
She presented her guidelines at a recent meeting of the Society for Integrative Oncology.
Greenlee and her colleagues reviewed nearly 5,000 articles published between 1990 and 2013. From this, researchers reviewed 203 separate randomized control trials of the various interventions.
http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/11/06/alternative-therapy-guidelines-issued-for-breast-cancer-survivors/77032.html
Unfortunately Reflexology "only" got a C in breast cancer patients with quality of life and physical functioning outcomes!
Going through the supplementary data I was very disapointed to read in all cases that there is insufficient evidence, except for one case!
We got a C grade and the recommendation that "Reflexology can be considered for improving quality of life among breast cancer patients.
Once again, after so much effort and enthusiasm, after all the money spent, with so many difficulties in raising more needed money to conduct even more research, with the existing problems current research is being conducted and published, I question if we are on the right track.
How can it be that Reflexology is being utilized more and more by the public, but research does not reproduce the everyday Reflexologists results?
And what kind of research should we be involved in, maybe research that will enlighten Reflexologists themselves.
Oh well I guess it could have been worse.
Hey wait a second..., lets cheer things up!
I love Sally Kay!
I love Sally Kay!
Lymphoedema and Reflexology Research
Project
The results of the Tenovus funded
research into lymphoedema and the reflexology are currently being
finalised.
Impact of the
research
Overall, the success of the study was measured in
terms of meaningful changes in the volumes of the swollen arms and in the
views of the participants about their experiences and the helpfulness of the
reflexology treatments.
Number 1.
Reflexologists once again in the year 2014, in general, were unconcerened and unsupportive of issues regarding our modality and profession.
I am a practising Reflexologist, I am also the current Chair of RiEN and previously board member of the Hellenic Association of Reflexologists. Through my engagement with these associations I have been enlightend and now acknowledge some facts.
I must state that I am very disapointed with the lack of interest on behalf of the average Reflexologist around the world on matters having to do with legislation, regulation and anything else besides the actual practise of our modality.
I find it interesting that a Reflexology article accompanied by a fancy chart depicting "miraculous Reflexology points" attracts 100% more attention and produces 20% more interaction then an article on legislation, or scrutiny regarding claims in advertisements.
I find it interesting that a Reflexology article accompanied by a fancy chart depicting "miraculous Reflexology points" attracts 100% more attention and produces 20% more interaction then an article on legislation, or scrutiny regarding claims in advertisements.
I read and hear about Reflexologists requesting/demanding these issues resolved but almost nobody actually wanting to dedicate/invest their precious time in proceeding towards this direction. A solution to this issue would be to pay someone to do this work for us, but with the majority of Reflexologists barely or not making a living off the practise of Reflexology, thus not even being able to pay their membership fee, a question arises.
Who will do the work needed for Reflexology to proceed?
Who will do the work needed for Reflexology to proceed?
This is totally unacceptable!
It is not enough to pay your annual membership fee, you actually have to participate and contribute to your associations endeavours!
You have a voice, use it.
You are the one trying to make it in the real world, influence the decisions that are being made on your behalf by simply participating. If you do not, one day you might wake up to a reality that you will not approve.
It might sound as if I am catastrophizing but the examples I am observing around the world suggest otherwise. Sometimes the numbers speak for themselves.
I imagine me pointing my finger this way will put me down in popularity in the New Year, ...but, I do not care!
The following article adequately adresses and partially expresses concerns of mine that came up in 2014, and this is why I chose it for number 1, you might like to read it!
Are you up for facing some future challenges in
Reflexology?
Some seventy four years after Eunice Ingham published her first book, the reflexology industry still cannot agree on the most basic of foot maps!
Some seventy four years after Eunice Ingham published her first book, the reflexology industry still cannot agree on the most basic of foot maps!
The medical model, proffered as the ultimate measuring tool, is unfortunately not constructed in a manner capable of appreciating the many complexities associated with the complex reflexology package.
The clinical world has its own agenda, and whilst reflexology can certainly play some part within that agenda, we would be foolish to believe from that place reflexology will eventually come to be recognised for all its therapeutic worth.
In essence, it is my conviction the presence of trademarking and ownership within our wider therapeutic community only serves to promote division, and hinder practitioner growth.
+1
In Uganda Reflexologists are getting even!!!
Why?
In 2010 Reflexology was banned in Uganda. In 2011, the Ugandan Reflexologists filed an application for judicial review at the court in protest of the ban, contending that the government never accorded them a hearing before their activities were outlawed. The ruling from that procedure pronounced that the ban was based on procedural error.
Reflexology practitioners won a landmark case against their government last year in April and the court lifted the ban on their activities.
Now "they are getting even" and have filed an application for bill of costs totaling sh17b.
If I converted this correctly we are looking at the figure of
six million one hundred fifty-five thousand sixty-three dollars!
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/663120-reflexologists-demand-sh17b-from-gov-t.html
Happy New Year, have a great 2015!
