Reflexology has been a popular practice for decades. Also known as zone therapy, it is a holistic, alternative medicine that involves applying pressure to the ares of the feet, hands, and ears using specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques. Generally, this is done without applying any oils or lotions. Targeted areas are known as zones and reflex areas, and are said to reflect or correspond to organs and other parts of the body. Applying the correct type of pressure on reflex areas is said to elicit beneficial changes in reflected areas of the body. Touted benefits include raising energy levels, increasing blood circulation, helping with relaxation, improve nerve function, elimate toxins from the body, stimulation of the central nervous system, and more.
There has been some debate regarding the efficacy of reflexology, since there is no real scientific evidence supporting how it works and the health benefits that it is purported to produce. However, there have been many studies done on it over the years that show promise in backing up the claims.
For example, a study done in 1993 for the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology showed that reflexology was appeared to be helpful to women suffering from PMS by lessening their symptoms. A 2012 study by a group at the University of Michigan showed reflexology being helpful to women being treated for breast cancer by improving their ability to walk, climb stairs, carry groceries, and even breathe easier. An article in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine discusses an experiment done using MRI to investigate how stimulation of a reflex area is processed in the primary somatosensory cortex area of the brain, and the results seemed to indicate there was a relationship.
There have been many other studies and articles done over the years. While the articles and scientific studies done so far are certainly promising in supporting and justifying reflexology, there needs to be more peer-review studies done to provide more concrete evidence.
While there is some scientific doubt about reflexology, how it works, and if it really works, there is no doubt about its popularity. For decades, it is has been practiced, and it will continue to be practiced as long as people continue to believe it works and are happy with the results they receive. Reflexology has a great level of support right now, and that support doesn’t appear to have any signs of wavering at the moment. Reflexology will be staying around for a good while longer.
To read about the stimulation of reflexology points with detox foot pads, click here.
