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.
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.
