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Bosses at the prison are advertising for two part-time holistic therapists to give prisoners the kind of treatments offered by health and beauty salons in the city.United Kingdom Detention Services (UKDS), which runs the £65 million prison, in Saville Road, Westwood, plans to offer the calming effects of reflexology, aromatherapy and Indian head massage to the 216 men and 95 women who are currently behind bars in the modern jail.Today, however, Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson, said: “It is wrong prisoners are treated in this way. Are they using it as a Butlin’s holiday camp?..”But holistic therapist Brian Fossett, of Garden of Eden Holistic Therapies, Lincoln Road, Peterborough, said: ”Reflexology actually works to balance the body. This can help to reduce anger or emotional problems. An holistic approach to health can help to balance the whole person and those tendencies.”People may be doing time for a crime but it is of no benefit to anyone for these people to be stressed. There is no point in sending people out of prison full of anger and stress, it just increases the chance of re-offending.”
Reflexology in the workplace
Research Studies of the Benefits of Employing Reflexology in the Workplace
Here is a selection of Reflexology Research projects all related to the workplace.
- STAFF STUDY SEEN WITHIN WORCESTER HOSPITALS.
By Anne Jordan, First European Conference.
Twenty-eight subjects (22 females & 6 males, aged 22 to 66 years) were reported on in this study. Subjects received one 40-minute reflexology session per week for six weeks. Response to reflexology was measured after each session on several parameters including: pain, mobility, lassitude and psychological stress.All subjects reported some improvement after six sessions, with significant improvement being reported by: 74% of the 23 subjects experiencing pain, 53% of subjects concerned about mobility, 62.5% of subjects concerned with lassitude, and, 55% of subjects concerned with psychological stress. It is concluded that reflexology is a cost effective treatment for companies and institutions concerned about absenteeism and sick leave. - MUNICIPAL REFLEXOLOGY
By Leila Ericksen, The FDZ Research Council
This paper reports that employment of a reflexologist by Ishoj Health Department to serve 57 home helpers resulted in 2,499 less sick hour leaves in a six month period – compared to the same period the prior year. This was calculated to correspond to a savings of DKK 214,914 (approximately U.S.,000). The number of reflexology treatments during this six-month period was 863. The reflexologist was subsequently permanently employed. - A CLOSE UP VIEW ON COMPANY REFLEXOLOGY! – AN ANONYMOUS USER SURVEY
By Leila Ericksen, The FDZ Research Council
Telecom Taastrup hired a reflexologist 3 days a week for it’s 7-800 employees. In this survey 156 employees, who had received a total of 1025 reflexology treatments during a one-year period, were sent a questionnaire. The return rate was 75% or 116: 87 from women, 19 from men, 10 blank. Treatments had been for back pain, muscle tension, headache/migraine, and stomach/intestinal problems (60%) a further 20% for common problems related to movement. 56% responses indicated that the reflexology treatments helped. 29% indicated that the reflexology provided partial help. The remainder of respondents indicated that the reflexology treatments did not help (7.5%) ,or, that they did not know (7.5%). In addition, 40% indicated that the reflexology treatments received had reduced their number of sick days. It was concluded that there was a direct economical benefit as well as increased well being and productivity of the employees. - COMPANY REFLEXOLOGY
By Jonna Nielsen, Danish Reflexologists Association.
This paper summarized the reports from Ishoj Heath Department and Telecom Taastrup. - POSTAL REFLEXOLOGY – EXCERPT OF THE ODENSE REPORT NOVEMBER 1993
By Synnove Madsen and Jette Andersen
This report presents the effects during a 3 year period of employment of a reflexologist by the postal district of Odense which has 1450 employees. A total of 235 employees, 142 women and 93 men, received reflexology treatments. 72% (170) employees reported a good effect, 26% (60) employees reported some effect, and 2% (5) reported no effect.. During the 3-year period the average number of sick days per employee per year is shown to decrease from 11.4 days to 8.5 days. It is estimated that this decrease in sick days saved expenses of DKK 1 million (Approximately 110,000 pounds sterling).
Reflexology Helps increase Renal Blood Flow
Researchers in Austria studied the effects of reflexology upon renal blood flow. 32 healthy young adults (17 women, 15 men) participated in a placebo-controlled, double blind trial. The treatment group received reflexology at zones corresponding to the right kidney. The placebo group received treatment on other foot zones. The blood flow of 3 vessels of the right kidney was measured then monitored prior to, during and following reflexology. Systolic peak velocity and end diastolic peak velocity were measured and resistive index calculated.
The two groups showed significant differences; a highly significant decrease showed during and following reflexology. There were no differences between men and women nor smokers and non-smokers. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that reflexology is effective in influencing renal blood flow and confirms the results of independent research that reflexology can significantly help kidney function. Sudmeier l et al. Changes of renal blood flow during organ-associated foot reflexology measured by colour Doppler sonography. Forschende Komplementaermedizin 6(3): 129-34 Jun 1999
Reflexology Research of Fatigue and Insomnia in (Coal Worker) Pneumoconiosis Patients
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of foot reflexology on fatigue and insomnia in patients suffering from coal workers’ pneumoconiosis.
Method:This study was a quasi-experimental study of pre-test and post-test design in a non-equivalent control group. The subjects of this study consisted of both the experimental group of twenty-nine and the control group of thirty coal workers’ pneumoconiosis patients. Data was collected from December 10, 2002 to February 15, 2003.
Foot reflexology was performed for 60 minutes twice a week through five weeks in the experimental group, but none in the control group. To evaluate the effects of foot reflexology, the scores of fatigue and insomnia were measured before and after the experiment in both groups.
Fatigue was evaluated by Fatigue Symptoms Inventory. Insomnia was measured with the visual analogue scale (VAS). Data of this experiment was analyzed by Chi-square test, t-test, unpaired t-test and Repeated Measures ANOVA with the SAS Program.
“Results: The scores of fatigue and insomnia decreased in the experimental group but not in the control group. There was a significant difference of fatigue and insomnia between the two groups.
“Conclusion: It is suggested that foot reflexology might have beneficial effects on reducing fatigue and insomnia in patients suffering from coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, and can be recommended as a nursing intervention program for patients with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis.”
Lee, YM, Sohmg, KY (Dept. of Nursing, Kangwom Tourism College, ymlee6505@hanmail.net),”The Effects of Foot Reflexology on Fatigue and Insomnia in Patients Suffering from Coal Workers’ Pneumoncomiosis,” Taehan Knaho Hakhoe Chi (Korean language), 2005, Dec;35(7):1221-8, PMID: 16418548
Dr Julian Whitaker’s Health & Healing Newsletter – Reflexology for Health
In the September 2006 Vol. 16, No. 9 issue of Dr. Julian Whitaker’s Health & Healing newsletter on page 5 he writes:
One of our patients’ favorite therapies here at the clinic is reflexology, which involves placing pressure on specific “reflex” points in the feet, hands, and ears. Studies have proven a wide range of benefits for this therapy including faster wound healing, improved circulation, reductions in sleep and mood problems, and declines in gastrointestinal symptoms, to name just a few.
One small study also revealed that reflexology may be useful for hypertension and high triglycerides. A group of patients received two weekly treatments of professional reflexology for six weeks then self-administered foot reflexology twice a week for another four weeks. At the study”s conclusion, systolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels fell markedly, compared to a control group, and quality of life improved as well.
Although reflexology is not a massage per se, it feels wonderful and has profound healing and relaxing effects. To receive treatment at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, visit whitakerwellness.com or call (800) 488-1500.
Source: Dr. Julian Whitaker’s Health & Healing newsletter September 2006 Vol. 16, No. 9 issue page 5
Reflexology back in vogue
As young Shanghainese discover the health benefits of foot reflexology, this ancient traditional Chinese treatment is coming back into vogue in a big way, writes Xu Wei.
At the spacious room of Shu Ya liang Zi Foot Therapy, a professional healthcare chain, customers enjoy a 90-minute, 88-yuan (US$10.6) service which includes soaking the feet in a special bath steeped with 28 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines and a hand-and-foot massage. It’s a therapy that leaves customers in a state of utter relaxation, both physically and mentally.
“Foot therapy is an ideal treatment, advocated by the World Health Organization,” says Li Xueren, director of the chain. “With people’s rising awareness of the quality of their lives, we have witnessed a considerable increase in our customers, who are eager to gain the health benefits from the bottom of their feet.”
The majority of its 22,000 permanent customers, according to Li, are white-collar workers who are obsessed with the pressure of work and eager to find out an outlet for release. (Shanghai Daily News 5th April 2004)