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REFLEXOLOGY
WHAT IS
REFLEXOLOGY ?
Reflexology is a form of foot massage but it is difficult to determine
what it achieves, for the practitioners of this therapy vary in their
claims and practices. One
practitioner encourages the reader of his book to learn how to use this
foot massage on oneself and is enthusiastic about this ( Dr. Wolfgang
Spurzem, Foot Reflexology, p.16-17), whilst another writes that “
you will find it difficult to massage your own feet” (Dr. Maybelle Segal,
Reflexology, p.92) and so recommends massaging your hands instead.
Yet another admits that, “it is impossible to apply strictly rational
empirical criteria to determine how reflexology works, because, like any
therapy, there is an art side to its application…and results can depend on
the relationship between the client and the practitioner” (Christine Issel,
Reflexology: Art, Science and History, p.107). In one section of her book,
Christine Issel quotes from several practitioners, each of whom has a
different opinion, strongly held, on whether the left or the right foot
should be massaged first. Dr. Maybelle Segal warns her readers not to
become too concerned if they have trouble trying to work out the reflex
points because, “you may purchase a few books on reflexology and each one
may have areas in a slightly different place” Segal, p.13), so recommends
always massaging the whole foot in case an important area could be missed. It does sound a little hit or
miss, especially when, for such an important part of the body, the reflex
point of the pituitary gland, is the size of a pin head on the big toe.
Even though it is acknowledged to be an art
form, scientific claims are made for reflexology based on a book called
Zone Therapy, written by Dr. William Fitzgerald an American ear, nose
and throat specialist, early last century.
He divided the human body into ten perpendicular, “reflex zones”,
representing all organs of the body.
His claim was that “the impurities of the blood” are supposed to
descend along these lines, finally settling as crystalline urea in the
nerve endings of the soles of the feet, where experienced reflexologists
claim to be able to feel them. These deposits would then, not only
indicate which organ was affected, but would also be important to
treatment as massaging the spots would dissolve the impurities. In other words, “the basic concept
of reflexology is that the surfaces of the feet reflect the entire image
of the body and the image of every organ.(Spurzem, Ibid p.6). The new miracle therapy spread all
over America, but, after the 1920s, it was forgotten and became popular
again in the 70s.
SCIENTIFIC
EVIDENCE
It seems that whilst most serious
practitioners of reflexology consider this therapy an art form, there are
several who claim there is a scientific basis. Dr. Samuel Pfeifer, in his book,
Healing At Any Price? explains that the term, “reflex zone”, was
originally coined, not by Dr. Fitzgerald, but by Dr. Mead, who published
his discovery of reflecting zones in the human body, especially the trunk,
in 1898. Dr. Pfeifer believes
that these reflex areas can be explained medically, but foot reflex zones
cannot be. So it is a
false claim by some proponents of reflexology to connect Dr. Mead’s
discovery with the work of Dr. Fitzgerald, (Pfeifer, Ibid, p.57). Dr. Pfeifer states that the
American Medical Association calls reflexology a “cult”, whilst Drs.
Sneed, in their book The Hidden Agenda, a Critical View of Alternative
Medical Therapies, quote a Dr. Ronald Hoffman, medical director of THE WHOLE LIFE MEDICAL CENTER OF
MANHATTAN, as stating, “that reflexology has scientific validity hasn’t
been discovered yet”, (Sneed, p.167-8).
NON-SCIENTIFIC
CLAIMS
There is much information in the manuals to
indicate that the benefits claimed for reflexology stem from the effects
of a foot massage, which takes up to one hour, generally with conversation
between client and practitioner, rather than so-called scientific/medical
benefits. In addition to some
scientific hypotheses and acknowledging that no-one really knows how
reflexology works, Christine Issel ( Ibid, p.112-116) quotes the views of
other practitioners, with a variety of explanations, “Hypothesis of the
relaxing effect. Many physical problems have to do with persistent tension
and stress. Reflexology
relaxes the patient” - “The Psychological Hypothesis. A reflexology massage is a
wonderful way to provide physical contact for the sick person. It allows you to show care and
concern to the dying person while decreasing pain”. ( article by Barbara
Zeller Dobbs in Alternative Health Approaches, Nursing Mirror,
Feb.27 1985, p.41-42)
- And - “T L C”
(Tender loving Care) is worth its weight in gold.
Jacques Hanton acknowledges - “Placebo research shows that one
third of people in a study will improve as a result of just thinking that
something healthful and creative is being done”.
“Rest - for many
people this is the only time they slow down and do something for
themselves. An hour’s rest is just the right thing for many people to give
their system a chance to mend and rejuvenate”.( quote from California
Conference of Reflexologists, (C.C.R) Conference Brochure March 4-5, 1985:3)
In the preface to his book, Foot
Reflexology, Dr. Wolfgang Spurzem explains that he found an old
beautician who practised foot reflexology and he describes his first
appointment with her, “The education I received from her was the most
comfortable education I have ever received because she began with an
hour-long massage of both my feet. While massaging, she told me stories
from her life, until I finally fell asleep”. ( Spurzem p.4). Did he really need to go further
and associate dozens of so-called reflex points with all the parts of the
body?.
Maybelle Segal (Reflexology), explains
that whilst she is massaging, she discusses diet and exercise with her
client. Perhaps it is the 30
minutes or longer discussion of diet and exercise on each visit which has
the lasting benefit!. - “We discuss proper diet and then I offer to lend
the client a book in order that he may become more familiar with the value
and importance of good nutrition.
Believe me, many a client has found a whole new way of life through
this self-education”. (Ibid, p.21)
SPIRITUAL
DIMENSION
Is reflexology, however, simply an hour’s
relaxing foot massage with the benefits associated with that experience? Certainly not, if one is alert to
what many of its advocates claim.
“Reflexology works on
three levels; the physical, the mental, the spiritual, according to a
quote in Christine Issel’s book, (Ibid p.115; Devaki Berkson - The Foot Book,
p.12). And what does Devaki Berkson believe the spiritual aspect to be? -
“a healing force from the universe is called upon and used, by both the
client and the practitioner”. (Ibid p.115). So, a further question, what is
this, “healing force from the universe”
It is explained in slightly different ways, but the basis of this
“healing force” has a common thread and its source goes back to ancient
times. “this knowledge is as old as mankind….(it) goes back to Native
American folk medicine and to aspects of Chinese acupuncture (Spurzem,
Ibid p.6)
Christine Issel (Ibid p.4) claims that
reflexology was known to the ancient Egyptians, Grecians and Arabs and was
known 5000 years ago in ancient India (Ibid p.11) and acknowledges the
influence of Hinduism and Buddhism in quoting a Hindu author, Ajit
Mookerjee, that the feet symbolise the unity of the entire universe - “all
the elements of the universe are represented by the signs and they also
indicate the many aspects of the Ultimate One”.(Issel, Ibid p.12;
MOOKEERJEE, AJIT, TANTRA
ASANA BASEL, SWITZERLAND, BASILIUS PRESSE, 1971:54) Issel believes that through the
migration of Buddhism, reflexology could have travelled from India to
China.
Certainly, many practitioners, if not all,
acknowledge the influence of Chinese thought on the practice of this
therapy - “like acupuncture , reflexology has been used by the Chinese for
5000 years” (Segal, Ibid p.1).Dr.Samuel Pfeifer warns that in the
philosophical background of reflexology we find all the elements of
Eastern philosophy found in other practices, such as acupuncture and
quotes from reflexologists to support his claim. Quoting Devaki Berkson, “the feet
are one of the most effective body areas on which to practice reflexology
because they are strong energy poles of the body - they link with the
energy which emanates from the earth, specially the grass, sand and snow (Berkson,Devaki,
The Foot book : Healing the Body through Reflexology p.7, in
Pfeifer,Ibid p.54) The idea
of Chinese yin and yang are found in Berkson’s writing as well, -
“reflexology removes the blocks that impede the proper flow of the body’s
energy currents” ( Berkson,Ibid,p.2, in Pfeifer, Ibid, p.55). Yin and yang are the two
fundamental forces which generate all of the transformation of the
universe, according to the ancient Chinese thought called Taoism. Each major organ of the body is
designated as either yin or yang and health is a state in which yin and
yang are in perfect, dynamic balance. The key to this lies in the concept
of a universal, invisible life energy which is said to flow through all
the living organisms. Illness occurs when the flow of Ch’i through the
body is obstructed or excessive in any area, thus destroying the balance
of yin and yang. Healing occurs
when balance is restored. “Chinese medicine is the child of Chinese
religion and, at their core, both have the same ingredients, the Tao, yin
and yang, the universal energy Ch’i and the five elements”. (quoted of Ilza Veith, Nei
Ching on p.54 of Reisser, Weldon, New Age
Medicine)
In their book, The Holistic Healer,
the authors write that they believe that the attraction of the alternative
medical therapies, including reflexology, is that the concept of universal
energy is the crucial link in the chain between science and religion which
many are anxious to find. But
the warning is that this life force,which supposedly flows through us, can
be nothing less than God. (Reisser, Weldon, The Holistic Healer,
p.39) Is this the God of the
Bible? Another warning from
these authors, “there is no neutral “science” of life energy and meridians
but rather a highly developed mystical system with strong ties to the
psychic realm” (Ibid, p.54)
Dr. Pfeifer states clearly that,
“foot reflexology belongs to the group of natural healing methods which have their basis in Eastern
philosophy” (Ibid,p.56) and that Christians should not hesitate to
question any alternative medical practitioner about his or her world-view
- is his or her work based on the idea of harmonising cosmic energies in
the client? (Ibid,p.61)
Christians cannot be too careful when
searching for solutions to problems whether they be physical, mental,
emotional or spiritual and need to be especially wary of methods which
have a background of New Age philosophy.
REFERENCES
ISSEL, Christine Reflexology: Art, Science and History New Frontier Publishing,
California, 1990, revised 1993
PFEIFER, Samuel
Healing at Any Price
Word Publishing, Milton Keynes, 1988
REISSER
Paul C.; REISSER
Teri K.; WELDON John: The Holistic Healer
Inter-Varsity Press, Illinois
REISSER
Paul C.; REISSER
Teri K.; WELDON John: New Age Medicine a
Christian Perspective on Holistic Health Inter-Varsity Press, Illinois
SEGAL Maybelle
Reflexology
Whitmore Publishing Company, Ardmore, Pennsylvania, 1976
SNEED Dr. David
& Dr. Sharon: The Hidden
Agenda, a Critical View of Alternative Medical Therapies
Thomas Nelson, publisher.
SPURZEM
Wolfgang Foot Reflexology Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
New York 1998
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