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Reflexology & Recovery

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According to a 1994 Swiss medical report, foot Reflexology is one of the most useful treatments for post operative gynaecological patients. The researchers demonstrated that reflexology enhances urination, stimulates bowel movements and so aids recovery. Patients who received reflexology treatment also showed a much less need for medication than patients in the control group.

– Kesselring A. (foot reflex zone massage) Fussreflexzonemassage. Schweiz med Wochenschr suppl (SWITZERLAND) 1994, 62 p88-93

For more reflexology information enjoy reading How did Today’s Health System Evolve? in the Research & Articles Section

$3 million Research Grant Awarded for Reflexology

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LANSING — A Michigan State University researcher wants to know if a natural healing therapy will help women cope with treatment for late-stage breast cancer.

A $3 million National Institutes of Cancer grant will pay for a five-year study of Michigan breast cancer patients treated with reflexology, a massage-like technique that puts pressure on specific points on the soles of the feet or on the hands. The hope is that it will ease stress, depression, anxiety and side effects of treatment.

Gwen Wyatt, a professor of nursing and the principal investigator for the study, said a pilot five years ago of 100 cancer patients at the Western Michigan Cancer Center in Kalamazoo found that reflexology was the most promising among complementary therapies given in addition to conventional treatments.

The pilot also looked at guided imagery, which uses healing images, and reminiscence therapy, where patients recall times they’ve overcome challenges in their lives.

Wyatt stressed that the therapies aren’t being promoted as alternatives to conventional treatment.

“We’re not curing the cancer,” Wyatt said. “We’re really on the human side of it, trying to help them deal with the emotions and hopefully fewer symptoms or decreased severity of symptoms.”

Wyatt said cancer treatment centers are starting to add amenities, such as massage, to give patients something to look forward to rather than just dreading the next round of chemotherapy.

Gary McMullen, vice president of the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, said his group only recommends medical treatments that are scientifically proven. Reflexology is not proven for medical treatment, he said, adding that more research on its ability to enhance quality of life needs to be conducted. “I think it’s worthwhile that these complementary things be looked at and figured out,” he said.

“…There’s a lot of needs, emotional, spiritual, financial, that are left in the wake of a battle with any serious illness,” he said. “How do we get people back on track?”

The pilot study found that women who received reflexology reported they still had symptoms of anxiety, depression and physical side effects from chemotherapy, but they were lessened, Wyatt said.

The theory behind reflexology is that certain areas of the feet correspond to different areas of the body and by stimulating nerves, symptoms are decreased.

Barbara Brower, an Okemos reflexologist with 25 years’ experience, is helping Wyatt with the research and identifying trained reflexologists.

She said reflexology can reduce stress, improve circulation and release toxins that are built up during chemotherapy. The practice is not regulated in Michigan. It cost $50 to $65 for an hour-long session.

She said her profession, once routinely scoffed at by medical practitioners, has become more mainstream in the last decade. “I have physicians that come to me,” she said.

For the first time this fall, an interdisciplinary class offered by the two MSU medical schools and the nursing school gives an overview of the complementary therapies, Wyatt said.

While insurance doesn’t cover reflexology treatment, pretax dollars can be set aside in medical savings accounts, Wyatt said.  For patients in the study, however, the research grant will pay for four sessions each.

Wyatt is recruiting patients from cancer centers around the state including the West Michigan Cancer Center in Kalamazoo, the Great Lakes Cancer Institute’s clinics at the Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City and the McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint, and the Lacks Cancer Center at St. Mary’s in Grand Rapids. Other clinics are in Lansing, Traverse City and Detroit. The first treatments should start in January 2006.

Reflexology Relieves Symptoms of MS

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Reflexology significantly improved paresthesia, urinary symptoms and spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis, according to recent research.

“Reflexology treatment relieves symptoms of multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled study” was conducted by staff at the Department of Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Complementary Medicine Clinic and the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Sheba Medical Center in Tel-Hashomer, Israel; and the Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research.Read Full Article…

Airport Reflexology

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Updated 9/27/2006 7:42 AM ET
By Robert DiGiacomo, Special for USA TODAY

Between terrorist warnings, crowded flights and tight connections, traveling by plane can stress the body and mind.

But thanks to a new generation of airport-based spas, it’s possible to relax — even find a bit of serenity — before you dash off to the gate.

“The best thing you can do is condition yourself for the trip and prepare your body for the journey,” says Moreton Binn, CEO of XpresSpa, which operates spa facilities in several airports, including John F. Kennedy International, San Francisco and Philadelphia.

Unlike their city- or resort-based counterparts, airport spas generally don’t require an appointment and offer streamlined services geared to the flier in a time crunch.

Here’s a guide to facilities at some airports around the country:

•Boston Logan. Jetsetter Mini Spa (www.jetsetterspa.com) offers facials, manicures, pedicures and massage. The Journeyman ($85), for men, combines a manicure or pedicure, a facial, brow waxing and 10-minute chair massage. The Red Eye ($40) is a 25-minute hydrating treatment designed to reduce puffiness and make skin appear younger. The Hilton Health Club and Spa (www.bostonlogan.hilton.com/healthclubandspa) features cardio equipment and weights, whirlpool and a day spa; treatments include a 30-minute full-body massage ($45) and the 30-minute Happy Feet ($50).

•Chicago O’Hare. Like its Boston airport counterpart, the Hilton Athletic Club (www.hilton.com) is a full-service gym with workout equipment, lap pool, steam room and sauna. Swedish or deep-tissue massage costs $50 or $100 for 30 or 60 minutes. The Backrub Hub at Terminal Three can soothe the savage back with 10- to 30-minute chair massages ($15-$35) by licensed therapists.

•Denver. A Massage Inc. on concourses A (303-342-6821) and B (303-342-6821) offers chair massages (10 to 30 minutes, $13-$36), as well as full-body table Swedish or deep-tissue table massages (one hour for $72).

•Detroit. In a serenely minimalist white and chrome environment, OraOxygen Wellness Spa (www.oraoxygen.net) features a menu of traditional massage and facial options, but what’s unique are oxygen stations purporting to stop jet lag, soothe the nervous system and help you sleep better; a 15-minute session costs $18. Showers ($15 or $10 with treatment) also are available.

•Indianapolis. With a location in Terminal C and four other kiosks, Passport Travel Spa (www.passporttravelspa.com) specializes in fast-track treatments. Massages (chair only) start at $18 for 15 minutes. Foot massage: $1.50 a minute.

•New York John F. Kennedy. XpresSpa (www.xpresspa.com), which operates its flagship facility here and is at five other airports, offers services on the go in a traditional spa atmosphere with wood floors, indirect lighting and live bamboo trees. Clients can receive several treatments simultaneously while relaxing in custom-automated massage chairs. Services include a 30-minute seaweed facial ($60) and a traditional Swedish massage ($60 for 30 minutes, $110 for one hour). Sites: JFK (Terminal 1, 718-751-2235); LaGuardia (scheduled to open this year); Philadelphia International (Concourse C, 215-365-2515); Pittsburgh (Terminal A, 412-472-5136); Raleigh-Durham (Terminals A and C; scheduled to open this year); and San Francisco (International Terminal Boarding Area A, 650-821-1042).

•Newark Liberty. D-partures Spa (www.departurespa.com) at Terminals B and C is a full-service facility offering everything from haircuts and blowouts to manicure-pedicures and massage. The Weary Traveler ($85) is a 45-to-60-minute treatment combining a pedicure with a heated massage, 10-minute foot rub and paraffin treatment, plus extra time for a power nap, depending on your flight schedule. A 10-minute chair massage goes for $10.

•Seattle-Tacoma. Massage Bar (www.massagebar.com, 206-985-7177) is a chain with locations here (C concourse and North-Satellite), as well as Columbus International in Ohio (concourse B), Nashville (B and C concourses), Newark Liberty (A Terminal and A-3 Connector) and Washington Dulles International (B concourse).

Available are chair massages as single (15 minutes for $20) and double shots (30 minutes for $35), as well as 10-minute foot reflexology sessions ($12); prices are slightly higher at Newark and Dulles. Each site also features a happy hour with $1 discounts on services; check the website for details.

•Vancouver, British Columbia. At two locations within the airport and a third at the Fairmont Airport Hotel, Absolute Spa (www.absolutespa.com) caters to travelers seeking a bit of luxury, with a full menu of services from a haircut and facial to hydrotherapy and massage.

The Flight Delay Package ($75 Canadian) pairs a 15-minute oxygen treatment with a 15-minute chair massage and 30-minute manicure. Those in a hurry can opt for a 20-minute Circulator Anti-Swelling Leg Massage ($30 Canadian). Locations: Level 3, Domestic Departures; Level 3, U.S. Departures Gates; Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel, Level 3 (604-248-2772).

Reflexology & Angina

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Foot reflexology applied during an active onset of angina and observed with EKG showed disappearance of symptoms and a change to T-waves in V1.3 elevated from depressed T-waves and T-waves in V5 inverted upright from an inversion of T-waves. Following a 10-day course of daily 50 minute foot reflexology sessions, nocturnal attacks of premature beats were relieved though premature beats still occurred occasionally.

Bing-zhao, Zhang, “Effect of Foot Massage on a Patient with Angina Observing with EKG; A Case Report,” 1994 China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, p. 53 (Outpatient Dept., Senile Convalescent Hospital, Shenyang, China)

Queen goes for a Yoga & Reflexology doc

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The Queen has a new found love for the East as she seems all taken in by the ancient Hindu ritual of practicing Yoga!

According to The Sun, the Queen has a new pal in the form of Dr Timothy Evans, who favours alternative medicine and has currently taken over as the Royal Family’s GP. Evans, who favours alternative medicine, offers Chinese herbal medicine, aromatherapy, reflexology, acupuncture and yoga.

According to sources, Prince Charles is thought to have recommended the doctor to his mum and palace insiders believe the Queen also has a keen interest in alternative therapies. (London – February 23, 2004 ANI)