Reflexology training in Nicaragua

It seems that in Nicaragua in coordination with the Ministry of Health
they are training medical personel in complementary medicine,
reflexology included.

The article here
https://www.tn8.tv/nacionales/491357-silais-nicaragua-capacitan-fitoterapia-medicina/

Why is research with poor results in Reflexology NOT shared?

I know quite a few Reflexologists with a niche on research or enthusiasts who promote research with good results. I am one of them allow to me say. 
I would also like to point out that though many, not all, accuse academia of NOT publishing research with bad or poor results for various reasons, it seems that anyone has a tendency to do this. Proof of what I say is that this paper was never promoted on social media, and sometimes facebook looks like a ratrace for who will post first a just published research article or anything reflexology related on the news.
We have to be honest with ourselves and with one another, and especially before we start pointing fingers at others.

We can also see the bright side! Reflexology I believe is of benefit for various reasons, (some of which we dont even know about yet), on different levels ranging from energy to material ones. And each satisfied recipient of reflexology is benefited for one of those reasons. 
We as professionals practising the art of reflexology should investigate its vastness its many directions and depending on our individual client on their every individual treatment with us accomodate our service to their individual needs. 

Recently I read this research article 
Effect of Foot Reflexology on Capillary Blood Glucose, Tissue Temperature, and Plantar Pressure of Individuals With Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2): A Pilot Study


and no significant differences were observed between groups with respect to the following analyzed variables capillary blood glucose, feet tissue temperature, and foot plantar pressure (static analysis, body sway, and dynamics analysis). 

On the bright side, especially for those interested in the bodymechanics part of our work, 
"the authors observed that after 12 sessions of the tested therapy, participants in the treated group presented more “normal” results than those of the control group regarding subvariables of the static analysis (average pressure, maximum pressure, and center of gravity distribution) and the foot-ground contact time subvariable of the dynamics analysis."

This, the authors continue, is important because "the increase in foot-ground contact time effectively contributes toward improved mobility and reduced incidence of ulcerations in the diabetic population." 

Besides what has been mentioned already the article itself creates many questions



The randomization process and the application of the reflexology intervention were carried out by the main researcher and were not disclosed to the assistant researcher, who was responsible for the evaluations. Participants were also instructed not to disclose which group they belonged to.

The application followed the principles set forth by Eunice Ingham, the first reflexologist to map out the foot’s pressure points and their corresponding effects on the rest of the organism.

The authors found no references regarding the proper sequence to be followed when administering foot reflexology. However, it is recommended that all reflex points be stimulated because the goal is to balance out the organism and apply pressure to the areas that correspond to the human body. To maintain uniformity and standardization of technique, the left foot was massaged first, followed by the right foot, stimulating pressure points according to the following pre-established sequence: joints, lateral portion, medial portion, and plantar surface.

In a quasi-experimental study developed in Spain, statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in average and maximum pressures observed after participants received foot massages. These data match that of the present study; static plantar pressures, both maximum and average, were reduced in the treated group after reflexology sessions, despite the lack of a significant difference between groups.
Analysis of static pressure also evaluated the distribution of the body’s center of gravity, which corresponds to the regions where body mass is concentrated. A 50% distribution of the center of gravity among the left, right, anterior, and posterior regions of the foot is expected, for intense asymmetry over long periods of time can cause anatomic and functional disorders, leading to spinal cord and lower limb complications.

Although there was no significant difference between groups, participants who received the tested therapy presented significant differences in the left and right regions of center of gravity distribution after 6 foot reflexology sessions. After the therapy was completed, distribution approached 50%. This result was not observed in the control group and remained constant after the 12th therapy session.

The treated group presented an increase in foot-ground contact time, which did not occur in the control group. It is understood that the longer the foot-ground contact time, the greater the area of body weight distribution on the plantar surface. Also, the increase in foot-ground contact time effectively contributes toward improved mobility and reduced incidence of ulcerations in the diabetic population.

What's in a word or wording, in a definition? Wellness vs Wellbeing

Times are forever changing and so is everything with it. Wording is not an exception. In our field also, scrutiny has has been introduced and in some cases voluntarily and in others welcomed. New difinitions have come forth and quite a few have "come to life" out of necessity. It is to be expected that tomorrow new ones will come forth.

As a reflexologist I have heard words like healing, homeostasis, relaxation and others as I am sure you have too. Then came wellbeing which seems to still not satisfy "the market" so now there is wellness. 

If you are like me you might find it difficult to define what wellness is or the difference to wellbeing.

I found the quote by Andrew Gibson, of the Wellness Tourism Association, very clarifying.

Just want to make a note before you read on, on the importance of those working on the matters of wording and definition inside their countries across the world. 

Important work with no glamour, still important.

What does wellness mean to you?

Wellness to me is a pathway that is part of a journey, such as fitness. It’s part of a process of making you feel better. Reading a book, going to the library, studying arts, gardening, meditation — these are all journeys along the wellness path.

Wellbeing is the ultimate goal. To be in a state of “wellbeing” means that you’ve found a satisfactory condition in fitness, mindfulness, and, to some degree, spirituality. So it’s “mind, body, and soul.” 

Wellbeing is the state you’re trying to attain and wellness are the different paths along the journey to get there.

Everybody has different ways of describing wellness, and I don’t think any is right or wrong. But, I also think it’s important to create some universally accepted definitions.

Link to article here

Training in Athens May 2020
Orthopedic Reflexology information

Ορθοπεδική Ρεφλεξολογία με μία δόση Νεύρο Ρεφλεξολογίας

Το επόμενο σεμινάριο Ορθοπεδικής Ρεφλεξολογίας θα πραγματοποιηθεί 18-19 Ιανουαρίου και 15-16 Φεβρουαρίου 2020 στο Παλαιό Φάληρο Πανδρόσου 31.

Στο συγκεκριμένο βίντεο θα δείτε μία ανακλαστική προσέγγιση του συμπαθητικού νευρικού συστήματος επηρεασμένο από την Νεύρο Ρεφλεξολογία (ΝΠ) εφαρμόζοντας αρχές και τεχνικές από την Ορθοπεδική ρεφλεξολογία (ΟΡ).
Στην Ορθοπεδική ρεφλεξολογία, μεταξύ άλλων, δίνεται έμφαση στην εκμάθηση της λεπτομερής ανατομίας του άκρου πόδα. Αυτή η γνώση, ή πιο σωστά, η πρακτική εφαρμογή αυτής της γνώσης δια των τεχνικών μας, θα συμβάλλει στο να εκτελέσουμε μία ακόμα πιο επιτυχημένη συνεδρία.
Για εκείνους που ενδιαφέρονται να εκπαιδευτούν στην ΟΡ το βίντεο είναι ένα καλό παράδειγμα για το πως πραγματοποιείται η εκπαίδευση. Πως δηλαδή εξετάζοντας έναν έναν τους μύες του άκρου πόδα, αλλά και όλες τις άλλες δομές, προχωρούμε σε σύγκριση και δημιουργικό προβληματισμό με σχολές ρεφλεξολογίας και άλλων επιστημών ώστε να καταλήξουμε στις πιο αποτελεσματικές τεχνικές.
Η συγκεκριμένη λήψη πραγματοποιήθηκε κατά την εκπαίδευση των σπουδαστών Ρεφλεξολογίας του 1ου έτους για την εκπαιδευτική ενότητα που αφορούσε το νευρικό σύστημα στο Natural Health Science το Νοέμβριο του 2019. Στους σπουδαστές δόθηκαν επιπρόσθετες πληροφορίες για την ερμηνεία των διαταραγμένων ανακλαστικών σημείων κάτι που γίνεται και στο σεμινάριο ΟΡ.
Ωστόσο είναι μία τεχνική που μπορείτε και πρέπει να την χρησιμοποιήσετε όλοι οι Ρεφλεξολογοί σε όλες τις συνεδρίες σας, εναρμονίζοντας στο τελευταίο βήμα όποιο ανακλαστικό βρίσκετε εκτός ισορροπίας με καταπραϋντικό χειρισμό.

Είμαι βέβαιος πλέον για την αξία της τεχνικής, αυτός είναι και ο λόγος που το μοιράζομαι με τους πρωτοετής σπουδαστές μας αλλά και με όλους σας. Η αξία της τεχνικής πολύ μεγάλη , η εφαρμογή της απλή. Αναφέρομαι σε αυτήν ως "αυλάκι". ...περισσότερα στην τάξη!

Η φωτογραφία είναι από το άρθρο "Can stress be painfull" των Dorthe Krogsgaard HMAR and Peter Lund Frandsen HMAR, Denmark το οποίο είναι δημοσιευμένο στην ιστοσελίδα τους. www.touchpoint.dk

Πληροφορίες για εκπαιδεύσεις στην Αθήνα εδώ.
Πληροφορίες για εκπαιδεύσεις στην υπόλοιπη Ελλάδα και στο εξωτερικό
https://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.com/