On 11/3/99, [log in to unmask] writes:
<<I am personally convinced about the reflex effects of tissues including
viscera. I would be interested to know if anyone has seen a research paper
validating the reflexology claim that the foot is a map of the complete
body.>>
***One thing still intrigues me about the whole reflexology business is the
insistence on use of exact pressure treatment locations. Suppose that one
knows nothing about the exact location of specific reflexology points, but
simply massages and palpates the entire foot over a sufficiently long period
that ensures that all possible "points" are treated - why should this
approach not yield comparable results without all the need to know all of
those regions?
Certainly, someone will claim that this might overstimulate or understimulate
certain points and thereby lead to inevitable claims about disrupting
"balance", but we might then counter that the body is an intelligent
cybernetic or self-correcting organism which should be able to adjust for
deviations from precise patterns.
Has any research been conducted to show that pukka or orthodox reflexology
produces superior results to whole foot massage and palpation?
What about simply moving the soles and sides of your feet in front of the
high pressure jets in a hot jacuzzi? I often let friends and athletes do
that in our deep water jacuzzi, just in case there is some therapeutic value
in deep tissue massage of the feet. This combines pressure point therapy,
deep massage and heat therapy in one - why should reflexology produce
superior results to this most pleasant regime?
Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
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