REFLEXOLOGY - ART OF SCIENCE?

I am often faced with a great deal of scepticism where reflexology is concerned. For example, an old school friend once said scathingly, “If I have a headache, why on earth would I ask you to rub my feet?” A convincing response to such dismissive attitudes is difficult. I can tell him that there seems to be a correlation between points on the feet and other parts of the body based on observations made by both practitioners and recipients, but I can’t offer what can be regarded as a scientific explanation. Indeed, anatomists would claim with justification that there is no demonstrable link. I can retort that there are well over 7000 nerve endings in each foot and this may give rise to some correlation that is not yet understood. I can suggest that stimulation of the cardio vascular and lymphatic vessels in the feet and ankles may lead to some, as yet unexplained, connection. I can refer to Chinese Medicine and the meridians through which chi (energy) is said to flow through the body and how releasing blockages in one area can have beneficial effects on another area but what I can’t do is prove the connection in terms accepted by the scientific community.

The case for reflexology being a science is not helped by the variations in published foot charts displaying the map of the foot used by reflexologists. In truth, although always similar, I don’t think I have seen two that are the same. Add to this the reports of different reflexologists finding correlations in different areas of the foot and reflexology starts to look nothing like a science. For example, where there is a problem with the sinuses, some practitioners work on the base of the toes and others on the top both with reported success. The thyroid seems to respond to slightly different areas around the pad of the big toe and so on. Where then is the science?

Science requires demonstrability and repeatability topped with an understanding of the reason that certain results follow. It is said to be objective, a system for acquiring knowledge that helps to form a framework of our overall understanding of the universe.

To defend reflexology to those of a scientific bent, I can refer to the growing body of research that confirm some of the effects and associations claimed by reflexologists and I can take heart from the fact that many in the medical profession are now ceasing to worry about the scientific explanation, being happy to accept the beneficial results. I can refer, also, to the methodology used by practitioners during a reflexology treatment and claim a scientific approach to clinical reflexology in general but, alas, I am a long way from being able to claim that it is a science. More of a pseudo-science some would say!

So does that make reflexology an art? Again, I have something of a dilemma. An art can be seen as a way of expressing or conveying subjective ‘knowledge’ or emotions in order to influence the world around us. It is a method of invoking a similar or sometimes very different or personal emotive response in the recipient. I suppose that can be said of reflexology. Also, when working on a client I sometimes wonder if the area of the foot which theoretically relates to, say the kidneys simply provides a focus for my powers of perception. Does the area relate to the kidneys merely because I make it so by focussing my energy on the kidneys? After all, good reflexologists are energy healers. Without that power, just going through the motions of a treatment will be far less effective. Again, this starts to sound more like an art than a science.

In conclusion, I cannot deny that there is a strong element of the subjective in Reflexology suggesting it is an art, but this should not detract from the observable results that it achieves. I believe there is a science involved albeit that the scientific understanding of this is still in its infancy. One should also remember the element of the subjective or art in all good scientists. A good doctor, for example, is someone who displays more than just the theoretical knowledge of his profession.

STRESS - BRING IT ON!

It’s funny how people tend to switch off when I talk about stress. Perhaps they pretend that it relates to other, weaker people and is not relevant to them. Business people are the worst culprits. They can handle stress; they thrive on it. They love the buzz, the pressure, the adrenaline fix. They feel that anyone who can’t take it should ‘man up’.

During my 20 years in recruitment and, indeed, drawing from my experience of my own job interviews when I was younger, I was dismayed by the common question posed by recruiters. “How do you handle pressure?” It seems to me that what they were actually admitting to was that their work place was a stressful environment and it would be fair to respond that one coped well with pressurised or stressful situations but what steps were they taking to reduce stress in the workplace because nobody can work on fast burn indefinitely. Of course, that response would not get you the job and the obvious response to the question, the one they wanted to hear was in effect, “Stress, bring it on!”

Actually, a certain amount of stress can be a good thing. It helps drive us to achieve goals, to meet deadlines, to be innovative. The danger is that we stay in overdrive and become unable to ‘switch off’, to relax. Our stress levels build and it starts to have an effect on our health and our personality. We become irritable, snappy, unsympathetic. We start to get more colds and minor ailments as our immune system weakens. If the situation is allowed to continue, more serious illnesses can follow.

What we need to do is to learn to relax but there are two main problems. Firstly, the people who need to relax the most are the ones who always tell me they don’t have time to relax. I tell them that if they took ten minutes a day to relax properly, then they would find that they seemed to have more time but this usually falls on deaf ears as, in truth, saying they don’t have time really means that they fail to recognise the problem or don’t see it as a priority. Secondly, many people don’t know how to relax. Sitting watching the television or going to the pub for a drink is not necessarily relaxing!

Perhaps a lesson can be learnt from one of my clients. He was a workaholic and his stress levels can build to the point where his wife or daughters notice his increased tetchiness and say to him, “Time to go and see Charles”.

REFLEXOLOGY - A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO COUNSELLING?

As a qualified counsellor I suppose that I should feel indignant about some research results I noted recently suggesting that in 75% of cases, counselling was ineffective. However, that merely backs up my own beliefs and makes it difficult if not impossible to promote that branch of my work as a complementary therapist with any great enthusiasm or integrity.

I have pondered long and hard about the reasons for the overall disappointing results of counselling therapy and have reached some conclusions or perhaps I should say, some opinions on the matter.

Firstly, one has to look at the quality and attitudes of the counsellors themselves. Whilst there are many excellent professionals in the field, there are many who are in my humble opinion, totally inept. No matter what theory based qualifications you possess, it does not always translate into practical skill and this is no different in other professions or trades. Moving on from that, the work load of many counsellors can be mentally and emotionally draining to the point where they tend to switch off. I remember speaking to someone in the United States who had retired as a Hospital Administrator but was persuaded to return to work part time as a Counsellor which was part of his original skill set. A few months later I asked him how it was going and discovered that he had given up the role saying, “I just got tired of listening to all that shit”. Totally understandable but not a prelude to successful therapy.

Before being in danger of ruffling any feathers, let me move on to the patients/clients themselves who I think are the main reason for the high failure rate. Many are pushed into counselling without wanting to or feeling the need to be there. If you don’t go with an open mind, life is difficult for the counsellor and if you go with a totally negative attitude it is virtually impossible.

However, I think that the major reason for failure is that often clients do not understand the nature of the service on offer. People tend to consult counsellors looking for advice and to give advice is not the function of counselling. Its function is to help the client move forward, to resolve their own issues and to reach their own conclusions. The counsellor is a facilitator of change and not the font of all wisdom.

So, I hear you asking, “what has that all to do with reflexology?” Well a few years ago a client recommended a friend who was keen to try a reflexology treatment. After the treatment, she reported to her friend that she had told me things that she had never mentioned to anybody else and was a little stunned that she had not only divulged such hidden feelings but had done so on her first meeting. “There” said my client, “you not only had reflexology but a free counselling session”.

This remark was thought provoking and made me realise that many of my clients used reflexology partly as a counselling session without realising it. Whilst half of my clients will close their eyes and relax, many will want to talk and this is usually about things on their mind, often everyday worries and concerns. However, deeper feelings can surface and be released. I have found reflexology can help release deep seated feelings of grief, guilt and low esteem along with numerous other incidents from the past including in a couple of instances abuse suffered as a child. In one case, a client seemed to be releasing problems from a past life but that is merely an observation made without wishing to enter into a reincarnation debate within this blog.

In conclusion, I can honestly say that I have found reflexology to be an interesting and useful alternative to counselling even though people do not come to me with that in mind, it just happens to be a ‘spin off’ benefit of regular sessions.

BACK PAIN IN THE FOREST OF DEAN

Estimates have suggested that up to 80% of the world’s population will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives with the most common location of the back pain being the lower back.

It is sad that the general public has a perception that their local GP surgery is not sympathetic to the problem. Clients tell me that doctors are dismissive and even rude. One lady reported that her doctor had said, “It’s not surprising you have back pain – you’re too fat”.

What is required is a sympathetic approach combined with effective treatment. There are many alternative medical treatments that can help and some of these are listed below.

Chiropractic Treatment and Back Pain

Chiropractic treatment involves a hands-on approach to examining, diagnosing, and treating a patient who is experiencing back pain with spinal manipulation is the most common form of therapeutic chiropractic treatment. The practitioner restores the mobility of the joints by applying controlled force and the biggest advantage is that treatments are non-invasive, drug free and incredibly effective.

Acupuncture and Back Pain

Acupuncture has for centuries been used to treat a wide variety of conditions and the treatment is becoming increasingly common in the relief of back pain. Needles are inserted at specific points relating to the condition being treated and the results can be remarkable. Whilst many people have a fear of needles, the procedure is generally painless and most people find it very relaxing.

Massage and Back Pain

Massage has several benefits for back pain sufferers. It sooths the muscles, improves blood flow to the affected areas, stimulates the lymphatic system, encourages the release of endorphins and generally relaxes the whole body. Treatments can vary in intensity from extremely gentle to more robust and include the use of aromatherapy oils which have their own healing properties.

Reflexology and Back Pain

Many people find it strange that reflexology can relieve neck and back pain but it does this in several ways. It encourages the release of endorphins which are the body’s natural pain killer. It improves circulation, increasing the blood supply to back muscles, helps the body to release toxins which in turn reduces inflammation, stimulates specific reflexes in the body relating to the spine, sciatic nerve, knees and hips, and not least it relaxes mind, body and spirit.