Art and Reflexology in chemotherapy rooms!

#Argentina

Since last year, the Civil Will Foundation signed an agreement with the National Foundation "Where I want to be" “Donde quiero estar”, to work on a project that aims to humanize cancer treatment and accompany people suffering from cancer, as well as their family , with a treatment that fuses art and reflexology inside the chemotherapy room.

Reflexology is a form of alternative medicine that uses massage techniques that are applied to the feet and hands, where all body, organic, bone and glandular structures are represented anatomically; and through the stimulation of the reflex points with massages, pressures and rubs, it seeks to restore health in the patient, release energy and emotional blockages, stimulate blood and nerve circulation, and induce a body relaxation of the whole organism.

This foundation began in 2006, in a single Hospital. Then it was replicated there, within the same Health center. With the passage of time, it was gaining strength as the task they performed was successful, so it expanded to different parts of the country. Today they settled in six provinces and there are 21 Public Hospitals that are receiving the program.

The article here

Their website here

Reflexology in the Oxford Handbook of Midwifery

Great information regarding Bach remedies, essential oils and other CAM modalities reflexology of course.

You can get your copy through scribd or read it online through google 

Meet Wendi, the new Reflexologist!

I came upon this article like so many other articles reflexology related, and you know, started going through it.
From the start I thought "yep, its another article informing about or promoting a reflexologist", not much here I thought.

But as I continued I started reading about Wendi's training and certification process. And what really got me enthusiastic was the status of  Massage Therapist Requirements in Minnesota which seems to apply to reflexologists too!

All that I read is great for me, one of the best examples around!

Who wants to meet Wendi the new Reflexologist?

Wendi Buzick took up some classes with the International Institute of Reflexology which is always a good choice considering that this is where Reflexology began due to Eunice Ingham the originator of the method.

In the article we read...
She explained that she took three courses that are 32 hours each, and then had 100 hours of practicing before she could officially start her own business.

That was about 10 months ago, and in February she decided that she wanted to officially open her own business by the end of 2020. She won't be certified by the International Institute of Reflexology until February when they come to Minnesota, but she is still cleared to practice, as per Minnesota laws.

After just a few days of being open, she is loving having her own business.

"It's wonderful, it's so nice coming here every day and knowing that I can influence (people)," she said.

Three courses x 32 hours plus 100 hours of practising on your own (I imagine) is one of the trainings with the lowest hours around, yet with a credible and the most historic "training school" around too. Wendi is waiting for her certification from the IIR, which in essence she does not need as in most places around the world to work as a reflexologist. Certified or registered reflexologists exist because they have too in order to be paid by private insurance or goverment, but these examples are scarce if any at all. Besides that, in most places everyone can practise, registered or not.

Wendi also lives in Minnesota and this is how it is there...

"Minnesota does not, as of 2015, have a law to license or register massage therapists at the state level. However, this does not mean there are no laws in place. Massage therapists in many municipalities, including St. Paul, Hopkins, and Burnsville do work under licenses. The Alliance for Licensing Massage Therapists, a Minnesota-based organization, reports that massage therapists statewide are required to abide by the Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practices Act, and that the act requires them to provide patients with a bill of rights."

So our colleague Wendi, who seems to fit the traditional average profile of a reflexologist, found Reflexology, trained in it with ease for a short time initially (which is a good thing, because hopefully she will still have annual continuing education) and thus made a "short" investment initially, opened her own buisness with much ease and had no exaggerated requirements to satisfy, does not seem to care at all about national or state associations, is helping people relax, has moved with her husband where they wanted and is pursuing a new career in a profession she loves!

Around the world I have seen the struggle many colleagues go through to make it in this profession, to be happy practising reflexologists. There are already enough challenges on the street, our field could do with much less requirements, training hours etc...

Wendi best of luck to you and as you said

"(Reflexology) really has the potential to do a lot of great things for people," 

...if we allow it!

PS: the totally opposite is happening in Massachusetts...
...a bill was introduced by Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, as a solution to end human trafficking. However, this bill will actually severely restrict, or more likely, put every Reiki practitioner out of business, as well as dozens of other alternative healing methods. In addition to Reiki, others include: The Feldenkrais Method, Reflexology, the Trager Approach, Ayurvedic Therapies, Rolf Structural Integration, Polarity or Polarity Therapy, Polarity Therapy Bodywork, Asian Bodywork, Acupressure, Jin Shin Do, Qi Gong, Tui Na, Shiatsu and Body/Mind Centering.

This bill, if passed, would require professional licensure for more than 200 alternative and complementary holistic modalities and offers no reasonable route to licensure. In addition, you could only become licensed if you take courses at state licensed schools, but there are currently no state licensed schools that offer courses in the majority of these 200 disciplines! This is the epitome of a Catch-22!

Random act of kindness for a young mum struggling to breastfeed

One of the mums was struggling with breastfeeding her baby and caring for a toddler when she received word that someone, who wished to remain anonymous, had gifted her a reflexology session.

The generous gifter explained that she had made the gesture in the spirit of the pay it forward scheme and, since then, other mums in the group have received the gift of reflexology.

http://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/randomactofkindness/2019/10/23/news/random-act-of-kindness-for-a-young-mum-struggling-to-breastfeed-1688752/?fbclid=IwAR07_PNUFjKH_ZA5m0gnDHq57ZhigUZ-LgL9S7fI6PhBznwJVjZ5PB9gBFs

Reflexology is shown to be clinically and statistically significant in reducing pain

Recent randomized controlled trials (RCT) which are the Gold Standard of clinical research, have shown that Reflexology was both clinically and statistically significant in reducing pain. The analgesic effects of Reflexology was shown to be between 42% to 48% more effective in reducing pain, compared to the standard of care group.

The most significant pain reduction in the reflexology group was observed among patients who had moderate‐severe baseline pain. Study participants included patients who were admitted to the general surgery department. The paper, published last year by the University of Haifa, goes on to conclude that: "Adding reflexology to standard analgesic care is effective in reducing postoperative pain at rest and in motion, especially for patients experiencing moderate to severe pain".

https://www.openpr.com/news/1853733/reflexology-is-shown-to-be-clinically-and-statistically

City Marshall is a Cardiff based reflexologist, with 22 year or clinical expertise with clients suffering from pain-related chronic and acute conditions. For further information about the clinical benefits of reflexology see the City Marshall web site here - https://www.citymarshall.co.uk/footandhandreflexolgy.html

The effect of foot reflexology on fatigue, pain, and sleep quality in lymphoma patients: A clinical trial

Highlights

•

Foot reflexology reduced fatigue in lymphoma patients.

•

Foot reflexology also decreased general and physical fatigue and improved reduced activity.

•

Foot reflexology relieved pain intensity in lymphoma patients.

•

Foot reflexology improved sleep quality in lymphoma patients.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reflexology on fatigue, pain, and sleep quality in lymphoma patients.

Method

This study was a randomized clinical trial with pre-post design. Seventy-two lymphoma patients admitted in hematology wards affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran in 2018 were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group underwent foot reflexology for five consecutive days. The control group received usual care. The data were collected by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, a numerical pain scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index. Data analysis was done by the SPSS software, version 21 using ANCOVA, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon test.

Results

At baseline, both intervention and control groups were the same in terms of fatigue, pain, and sleep quality (p > 0.05). However, a significant difference was found between the two groups regarding fatigue, pain, and sleep quality after the intervention (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results showed that reflexology could reduce fatigue and pain and improve the quality of sleep in patients with lymphoma. Considering the effectiveness of reflexology in lymphoma patients, healthcare workers including nurses are recommended to use this complementary therapy to reduce fatigue and pain and improve sleep quality in lymphoma patients.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462388919301462?fbclid=IwAR2PKFIWPpBip_smlXaysZadwxpcu7FZvdAcA9dhfV-MLe7D8tiHHKEmjX0

Healthcare service utilization and work-related productivity in reflexology intervention for advanced breast cancer women.

Tracey Smith our Head of Reflexology Support and Research says

"This is a great piece of research from Michigan State University, to share for anyone working on site in a business. It shows (albeit a tiny study) that reflexology intervention reduced time off for hospital visits, absenteeism and presenteeism and increased workplace productivity within a group of people living with advanced breast cancer."

Luo Z1, Wang L2, Sikorskii A3, Wyatt G4.

Author information

1

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824, USA. zluo@msu.edu.

2

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824, USA.

3

Department of Psychiatry, Department of Statistics and Probability, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.

4

College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

This project's purpose was to determine the effects of a home-based reflexology intervention on symptom-related use of health services and work-related productivity during the 11-week study.

METHODS:

A total of 256 patients were randomized to four weekly reflexology sessions (each lasting 30 min, delivered by lay caregivers who received two training sessions by a professional reflexologist) or attention control. The Conventional Health Service and Productivity Costs Form was used to collect information on health service utilization and out-of-pocket expenditure of symptom management. The Health and Work Performance Questionnaire was used to measure workplace performance for patients during the study period. We used weighted and unweighted logistic and linear regression analyses.

RESULTS:

Patients in the reflexology group were less likely to have hospital visits compared to the control group in the weighted unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] = 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.25, 0.97]), unweighted adjusted (OR = 0.35; 95% CI = [0.16, 0.75]), and weighted adjusted (OR = 0.30, 95% CI = [0.13, 0.66]) logistic regressions. Compared to attention control, patients in the reflexology group had lower relative absenteeism in the unweighted adjusted (- 0.32; 95% CI = [- 0.60, - 0.03]) linear regressions and less absolute presenteeism (15.42, 95% CI = [0.87, 29.98]) in the weighted unadjusted analysis.

CONCLUSION:

The reflexology intervention delivered by lay caregivers reduced hospital visits and increased workplace productivity in a short-term period, which has potential for cost saving for health care systems and employers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

NCT01582971.

KEYWORDS:

Breast cancer; Health service expenditure, absenteeism, presenteeism; Health service utilization; Reflexology

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30552595

Effects of aroma self-foot reflexology on peripheral neuropathy

Effects of aroma self-foot reflexology on peripheral neuropathy, peripheral skin temperature, anxiety, and depression in gynaecologic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A randomised controlled trial.

Noh GO1, Park KS2.

Author information

1

College of Nursing, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea.

2

Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: kspark@cau.ac.kr.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) can interfere with activities of daily living and can negatively affect symptoms. Thus, this study aimed to develop and implement an aroma self-foot reflexology regimen based on Cox's Interaction Model of Client Health Behaviour (IMCHB) as an intervention that can be self-performed at home and at any time. The effects of aroma self-foot reflexology on peripheral neuropathy, peripheral skin temperature, anxiety, and depression were examined in patients with gynaecologic cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS:

This randomized controlled trial included 32 experimental and 31 control patients with CIPN. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires (CIPN assessment tool, HADS). In the experimental group, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral skin temperature, anxiety, and depression were measured before and after aroma self-foot reflexology therapy for 6 weeks. The control group was provided with identical aroma self-foot reflexology training 6 weeks later and underwent the intervention at that time.

RESULTS:

The intervention resulted in lower levels of symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, less interference with activities (p < .001), and higher peripheral skin temperature level (p < .001). Anxiety and depression decreased in the experimental group (p < .001). The ratio of borderline and definite cases of anxiety and depression did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

An aroma self-foot reflexology intervention can reduce CIPN, anxiety, and depression in gynaecologic cancer patients. Further research is required to assess the effects of differences in the content of the intervention and the effects of various numbers of applications and durations of applications based on each individual patient's condition.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Έφυγε η Ρεφλεξολόγος και Δασκάλα κ.Ανθή Βρέττα

Στις 19 Οκτωβρίου έφυγε η κ. Ανθή Βρέττα.

Υπήρξε ιδρυτικό μέλος του Σωματείου Ελλήνων Ρεφλεξολόγων αλλά και από τα πιο ενεργητικά μέλη με διαρκή συμμετοχή σε όλα τα δρώμενα. 
Πραγματικά ταπεινή, εκπαιδευόταν διαρκώς και παρακολουθούσε όλες τις εξελίξεις στον κόσμο της Ρεφλεξολογίας. Τις οποίες στην συνέχεια μοιραζόταν με όλους. 
Είχε διδάξει στην σχολή Δίοδο στην Αθήνα.
Το βιβλίο της " Η ΡΕΦΛΕΞΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΧΘΕΣ ΣΤΟ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ" εκδόθηκε το 2011, μου είχε πει ότι το ετοίμαζε από το 2009. Χάρηκα που είχα την τιμή να μιλήσω για την κ.Ανθή αλλά και για το βιβλίο της το 2012 σε ειδική εκδήλωση.

Η Ανθή Βρέττα γεννήθηκε στην Αίγυπτο. Ήρθε στην Ελλάδα το 1963. Το 1975 ήρθε σε επαφή με τις ανατολικές φιλοσοφίες και ταξίδεψε για πολλά χρόνια στις Ινδίες.
Το 1978 γνώρισε τη Ρεφλεξολογία μέσω της Μαρίας Κωστάκη. Στην Ελβετία μαθήτευσε δίπλα στην εξαίρετη Ρεφλεξολόγο Bourquin Leni. Έχει εμπλουτίσει τις γνώσεις της με μαθήματα ανθοθεραπείας με την ψυχίατρο Μαρίνα Αγγελή.
Παρακολούθησε μια σειρά μαθημάτων και σεμιναρίων στην Αγγλία με τον Anthony Porter, ιδρυτή της μεθόδου A.R.T.,όπου και τελειοποίησε την τεχνική της στη Ρεφλεξολογία. Εκπαιδεύτηκε στο Bristol της Αγγλίας στην κάθετη Ρεφλεξολογία από την Lynne Booth που έχει εφεύρει και καθιερώσει το vertical reflexology. Όπως και με την Chris Stormer στη γλώσσα των ποδιών. Και στο Emozon με την Frindlind Strutt. Έκτοτε δεν σταμάτησε να παρακολουθεί διάφορα σεμινάρια για την έρευνα της Ρεφλεξολογίας. 

Την Κυριακή 1 Απριλίου 2012 καλεσμένη σε εκπαιδευτική διαδραστική συνάντηση που οργάνωσε το ΣΕΡ μίλησε στα μέλη με θέμα "Τρόποι προσέγγισης και υποστήριξης των ατόμων της τρίτης ηλικίας".

Η κυρία Ανθή Βρέττα τότε μεταξύ άλλων είπε:
--- Ιδιαίτερη προσοχή όταν ασκούμε ρεφλεξολογία στους ηλικιωμένους γιατί ίσως λόγω φαρμάκων υπάρχει μία αδράνεια στα όργανα και φαίνεται σαν να μην πονάνε. Ξεκινάω πολύ αργά με μαλακές κινήσεις και σιγά σιγά ανεβάζω σε πίεση και χρόνο, όταν τα όργανα αρχίζουν και βγαίνουν από το "λήθαργό" τους. 
Πολύ απαλές κινήσεις, ειδικά σε ΣΣ, υπάρχει κίνδυνος ραγίσματος σπονδύλων. Υπομονή, καλή ακρόαση και όχι αποδοκιμασία για τα όσα έχουν να μοιραστούν αυτές οι ηλικίες. Οι πόνοι της 3ης ηλικίας είναι "αγνώστου προελεύσεως"... μαζεμένοι μια ζωή... Κι ένα απλό χάδι αρκεί.

--- Η Διαφραγματική Ταλάντωση είναι μια εξαιρετικά χαλαρωτική κίνηση σε κυματοειδή ρυθμό. Μετράμε επαναλήψεις (οι 100 είναι κοντά 2').
--- Η Ρεφλεξολογία βοηθά πολύ σε καταρράκτη και ωχρά κηλίδα. Ειδικά σε προβλήματα ματιών.
- Εάν τα πέλματα είναι κρύα να θερμαίνονται με σεσουάρ.
--- Στα εγκεφαλικά επεισόδια, επίσης, πολύ σημαντικό είναι το πρώτο τρίμηνο για να ρεφλεξολογήσει κάποιος. Ανέφερε προσωπικό παράδειγμα με Κύπριο. (δουλεύει πολύ εγκέφαλο, σε όλα τα δάχτυλα, πολύ απαλά, τη ΣΣ έναν έναν τον σπόνδυλο, και χέρια. Μαλακές κινήσεις, αρκετή ώρα.

--- Η συμβουλή της για περιστατικά που δεν υπάρχει ο απαιτούμενος χρόνος να γίνει μια ολοκληρωμένη συνεδρία είναι: όλα τα σημεία που υπάρχουν στα δάχτυλα, ΣΣ, ηλιακό, διαφραγματική ταλάντωση.
--- Για ωχρά κηλίδα δουλεύει: Μάτι, μεσημβρινό ήπατος αλλά και το όργανο, εγκέφαλο σε όλα τα δάχτυλα.




--- Για λιποθυμικό επεισόδιο κρατάω δυνατά τα μικρά δάχτυλα των χεριών του και τα τινάζω απότομα.... κι επανέρχεται αμέσως(!) (τίναγμα τύπου τινάζω χαλί)
--- Για εγκύους: εάν το μωρό έρχεται ανάποδα, πιάνω και κρατάω τα μεγάλα δάχτυλα των ποδιών και έρχεται στην θέση του...
--- Στο τέλος κάθε συνεδρίας εξισορροπώ με δείκτη & μέσο (σήμα της νίκης)
επάνω στην ράχη του πέλματος