Reflexology
Also known as 'Zone Therapy' and 'Reflex Therapy' This page is under revision and will be updated with 2010 links shortly. Related links |
Reflexology: A Close Look"Claims that reflexology is effective for diagnosing or treating disease should be ignored. Such claims could lead to delay of necessary medical care or to unnecessary medical testing of people who are worried about reflexology findings." Article by Stephen Barrett, M.D. (Quackwatch) The effectiveness of foot reflexology in inducing ovulation: a sham-controlled randomized trial"Although this study was too small to reach a definitive conclusion on the specific effect of foot reflexology, the results suggest that any effect on ovulation would not be clinically relevant." Fertility and Sterility (18th June 2008) Reflexology: Only Dangerous If You Use It"Developed in 1913 by a man named William Fitzgerald as "zone therapy", reflexology is based on the New Age definition of the word "energy". Fitzgerald believed that a mystical force field, not understood by science, that he called "bioelectric energy", ran through the body in ten vertical bands corresponding to your ten digits. Modern practitioners call Fitzgerald's mystical energy field "life force", and believe that adepts can manipulate this force field to promote any type of wellness in any part of the body, all through actions that correspond to a conventional foot massage… Another problem with reflexology is that, when used to diagnose a medical problem that does not in fact exist, the practitioner can claim that it is a future problem that's being diagnosed and treated. Time travel combined with medical treatment! If reflexology were to be tested and compared to the results of a real medical diagnosis, this time travel aspect allows its supporters to claim even a clean miss as a direct hit." Skeptoid Skeptical Podcast (28th January 2007) Randomised controlled trial of reflexology for menopausal symptomsFoot reflexology was not shown to be more effective than non-specific foot massage in the treatment of psychological symptoms occurring during the menopause. BGOG International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (September 2002) A single-blind trial of reflexology for irritable bowel syndromeConcludes that there is nothing to suggest that reflexology produces any specific benefits for patients with IBS. There is currently no evidence to support its use. P. Tovey, British Journal of General Practice (January 2002) Report of an RCT of reflexologyCited in a letter to the British Medical Journal (24th March 2001) Reflexology and bronchial asthmaNo evidence was found that reflexology has a specific effect on asthma beyond placebo influence. Respiratory Medicine (March 2001) A blinded investigation into the accuracy of reflexology chartsConcludes that despite certain limitations to the data provided by this study, the results do not suggest that reflexology techniques are a valid method of diagnosis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine (September 2000) Foot reflexology: a sole method of diagnosis?"We undertook a study to determine whether reflexology is a valid diagnostic tool… Our results show that diagnosis based solely on reflexology examination is no better than chance." A. R. White, J. Williamson and E. Ernst, Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies [FACT] (1998) Footloose and pain-free"Reflexology goes back to a form of treatment developed by the Indian tribes of North America…..Reflexologists describe their therapy as the "practice of working on reflexes in such a way as to produce a relaxation and response in the corresponding body regions. By applying controlled pressure with the thumbs or index fingers to the reflex points and areas on the feet, the body is stimulated to achieve its own state of equilibrium and good health. Pressure on the reflexes not only affects the organ or region of the body but it also influences the relationship between the different functions, processes and parts." The foot, ear, hand, back and other body locations are believed to represent "holographic reiterations of the anatomy of the body," or a "perfect microcosm or miniature map of the whole body," or a "scanner screen-recording bodily functions." Maps were drawn up where one particular area of the foot's sole is assumed to represent one particular internal organ or organ system. These maps are based on the assumption that 10 "energy zones" run longitudinally through the body. Each foot has five of these lines, and all body organs are believed to lie along one or more of these lines. Reflexologists postulate that a malfunctioning organ or body system leads to deposits of uric acid or calcium crystals. These, in turn, impinge on the nerve endings on the feet or obstruct the lymph flow. Treatment aims at breaking down the deposits so that they can be re-absorbed and eliminated. Reflexologists also believe that treatment can improve blood flow and that reflex points are nerve receptors whose stimulation will induce "deep relaxation" or emit "impulses to all parts of the body." Other hypotheses involve the lymphatic system, suggesting that the body's waste products are removed through reflexology massage, and the general enhancement of the body's inherent balance. All of these theories are unsubstantiated. A scientific rationale for reflexology simply does not exist." Article by Professor Edzard Ernst, The Independent (1st December 1998) Foot zone therapy and bronchial asthma — a controlled clinical trialThe authors did not find that this investigation demonstrated that foot zone therapy was of effect on the disease bronchial asthma. Danish article (February 1993) Reflexology"Reflexology could be regarded as simple sympathetic magic except for one saving factor: treatment is effected by massaging the foot, and that usually feels rather good. As a medical tool for treating specific ailments not connected with the pedal extremities, however, it is useless." Includes a coloured diagram of the soles of the feet indicating specific areas ("reflex points") that are allegedly related to organs and parts of the body. James Randi (An Encyclopeida of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural) Can reflexology cure illness?"Reflexology is based on an absurd theory and has not been demonstrated to influence the course of any illness." Article by Dr Stephen Barrett, CANOE Reflexology"Reflexology is based on the unsubstantiated belief that each part of each foot is a mirror site for a part of the body." (The Skeptic's Dictionary) Reflexology
"There seems to be no evidence in the scientific literature that there are any distinct advantages of reflexology over any other form of foot massage." Skeptic Wiki (The Encyclopaedia of Science and Critical Thinking) ReflexologyConcludes that there are no reliable scientific studies proving reflexology's effectiveness as a medical treatment. (Wikipedia) |