Reflexology for Life

Pennsylvania Victory- Exemption for Reflexology

Jonna Boyd is a true reflexology hero. For 16 years she has fought for an exemption for reflexology in the state of Pennsylvania. And finally she has won.

Please drop her an email congratulating her for her victory. And tell her where you are from. She deserves all our support. jcboyd@rcn.com

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

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Hi All! Just a quick update for your information: Governor Rendell signed the Massage Therapy Licensure Bill late yesterday afternoon! It's official! Licensure for Massage Therapists will begin in 2009 and Reflexology is the only named exemption in the bill! I am thrilled to have been a part of this process for the protection of my profession, Reflexology! Thanks again for all your support and guidance throughout the process. Jonna

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Using reflexology to manage stress in the workplace

© diego cervo. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

ScienceDirect - Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice :
Using reflexology to manage stress in the workplace: A preliminary study

This study is a preliminary study to "explore the use of reflexology in managing stress in the workplace". It was with a small group people in the UK and it demonstrated positive results.

There have been several studies to this effect. The really interesting comment in a study from Denmark by one employee was that when they felt just a general malaise the idea that the reflexologist was available gave them impetus to go to work.

Hans Selye, the famous stress researcher spoke of this general rundown feeling that stress produces. It isn't a specific disorder. Rather it is a feeling of overall fatigue.

Could reflexology effect not only these borderline "illnesses"? Reflexology by breaking up the patterns of stress off lifts the feeling of being under the weather.

But could reflexology do more than that? Could reflexology actually effect the bottom line?

I well never forget a simple reaction that took place in a sheltered workshop I worked at right after college. We assembled several products for companies like RCA and Hoffman Laroche.

I had been taking pictures of the assembly lines for a newsletter we produced. When I was done with the pictures I posted them up on the bulletin board just for the clients interest.

Our production shot through the roof on that day and the effect continued for several days. Like a famous Westinghouse lighting study demonstrated the simple act of paying attention to workers had a beneficial effect for the bottom line.

Imagine what having a reflexologist on staff might do. In these troubled economic times it might have quite an impact on profits.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Top 10 things reflexology can do that medicine can'

© Kurhan. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

We have prepared a series of publications on Evidenced Based Reflexology Research. Here is a preview of some of the results. And don't get the wrong idea. This is not to suggest that reflexology is more than a complementary therapy. But according to research there are things that reflexology is capable of doing that medicine cannot do as well.

Top 10 things reflexology can do that medicine can't

1. Phantom Limb pain
2. Postpartum
3. Diabetes
4. Cancer and chemo
5. Neuropathy
6. Hemodialysis
7. Aids mentally ill providing needed benefits to reflexology work
8. Research showed relief from post traumatic stress syndrome
9. Measures of stress are significantly decreased
10. Immediate feelings of wellbeing

10 things
1. Research shows that reflexology work alleviates and, at times, eliminate phantom limb pain

2. Reflexology is beneficial for post-partum women including issues such as Anxiety and depression and recovery from Cesarean section.

3. Research shows that reflexology work reduces physiologic measures for diabetics and is an effective treatment for type II diabetes mellitus. Circulation to the feet is improved also.

4. Thirteen studies from seven countries (US, Italy, Japan, China, Switzerland, Korea, United Kingdom) target cancer care and show the benefits of reflexology work including anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, nausea, and vomiting.

5. Neuropathy Research shows improvement in blood flow rate, time and acceleration within the feet following reflexology work

6. Research shows that reflexology work helps individuals undergoing hemodialysis: Improves the kidney’s functions with changes in physiologic measures: an increase in red blood cells (to combat anemia concerns), increase in lymphocytes (to help fight infection), and enhances disposal of waste products.

7. Reflexology programs and research shows that reflexology aids the mentally ill, providing needed benefits unique to reflexology work. Mental health workers report that reflexology work furnishes many advantages including facilitating communication

8. Victims of post traumatic stress syndrome experienced relief from symptoms including anger, depression and muscle tension as well as improved sleep patterns, levels of concentration and a lift in overall mood.

9. Measures of stress such as blood pressure, pulse rate and self-reported anxiety are significantly decreased, decreased or lowered.

The last point came from a client. He said when "I go to the doctor I don't know what the outcome will be. But when I see you I always feel better." He said it was a feeling of well being and that is what he paid for.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Healing hands firm helps baby boom

Healing hands firm helps baby boom (From Warrington Guardian)

© WildCat78. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

When I first read this headline I thought this person was helping Baby Boomers. No, it appears she started her own baby boom.

"Her treatments have helped almost 40 women with problems conceiving and led to the founding of the Natural Fertility Clinic, the only natural fertility clinic outside London, which is based at the main clinic in Stretton.'

“Having treated and helped so many people with fertility problems, I think that helping someone to have a baby is the most rewarding thing I have ever done,” said Tracey, a psychology graduate."

She started using reflexology with her husband because of a bad back. Little did she know her reflexology interest would lead to 40 happy couples.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Why reflexology grows during economic tough times

© LuMaxArt. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

A Right to New Health Care

Consumers are now seeking to make up for what they’ve lost in the faltering economy: their health care safety net. The loss of a job means loss of health care benefits. A tighter budget translates into consumers who are cutting back on expenses including prescription medication, especially the elderly and retired. Yet, in spite of economic set backs, health continues to be an issue for all. And, reflexology can help meet those needs.

A September 22, 2008 Wall Street Journal article noted the cut back in purchase of prescription medicine. Once thought to be an ever growing market, sales of medicine have declined as consumers cut back to save money. One example was a Florida retiree who can no longer afford her medication for acid reflux and asthma. While one’s heart certainly goes out to anyone in such a position, this author’s immediate thought was: Hey! Reflexology’s helped me out with (and taken care of) both those problems. It’s too bad this woman doesn’t know about reflexology.

Loss or limited access to medical care doesn’t mean that the consumer has to abandon hope in taking care of health needs. The anxiety of facing health concerns is perhaps the most stressful part of the situation. By fully investigating what one can do to meet his or her needs as well as that of the family, one can take control and lessen the stress of the situation. And, reflexology provides such an opportunity.

Take for example an e-mail correspondent. She had written a glowing review of our newly published book (Reflexology, Health at your fingertips, DK) and we began an e-mail correspondence. She wrote about how she took care of her health care problems and those of her family’s with reflexology learned from our book. When we wrote another book and volunteered to send her one, she declined. While she appreciated the offer, her original book served her needs. It was totally personalized and customized with Post-Its and notes in the margins to easily find the information she needed to meet her family’s health concerns.

This is not to suggest that reflexology is a replacement for conventional medicine. It is still complementary in nature. But when times are tough people need something to keep going. Doing nothing isn't really an option.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Why Rubbing Eases Pain ; The Study of Neurons and Serotonin is Explaining How Massage Works

An article from Red Orbit

From this story:
"Neurons responding to pressure are longer and more insulated than pain neurons," Field said, "so the pressure message gets to the brain faster than the pain message. Once that happens, the brain 'closes the gate,' and the pain message can't get through."

"Massage also boosts levels of serotonin, the body's natural pain- relief substance, and induces deeper sleep. Well-rested bodies emit fewer pain-triggering chemicals, Field explained."

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"Serotonin is a neurotransmitter produced in the brain known to influence the functioning of the cardiovascular, renal, immune, and gastrointestinal systems."

There is, quite logically, research on reflexology showing a boosting serotonin levels as well as massage. Serotonin depletion effects a lot of things including sleep, weight, depression, schizophrenia, compulsive disorders and learning problems. Depletion is even implicated in hardening of the arteries.

I was often puzzled by people losing weight while doing reflexology. I really thought it had more to do with easing tension so they were more physically active. But there also seems to be a link between sleep and weight. This again involves serotonin. Serotonin effects leptin which is implicate in weight control although the role isn't fully understood.

Could reflexology help with weight control? There are two obscure Chinese studies with the morbidly obese. But not much else. I would be interested to see what more research could tell us.

We seem to be a serotonin depleted world. We have all the symptoms.

What do you think they will find?

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

How Much for Better Health? $10

© Christopherh. Image from BigStockPhoto.com
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Report: Invest $10 a person for better health
July 17, 2008 By LAURAN NEERGAARD

WASHINGTON, Jul. 17, 2008 (AP Online delivered by Newstex) -- Investing just $10 per person -- roughly the price of a six-pack of beer and some chips -- could greatly fuel community programs that get couch potatoes moving, prevent smoking and improve nutrition, researchers say.

How much health does $10 a person buy? Invest that every year, and within five years the nation could cut health care costs by more than $16 billion annually, concludes a new analysis by the nonprofit Trust for America's Health and a team of public-health research groups.
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When I read this I immediately thought what impact reflexology could have if it was looked at in a similar vein. I know from personal experience that our own health care costs remain very low.

My first success story with reflexology was Barbara, my wife, whose sinus headaches required expensive medication. That was 32 years ago. How much would that medication cost over 32 years?

We have a friend who contracted a rare disease which require a shot which cost $10,000 a shot. These shots were given monthly. With reflexology he no longer needed this shot. Savings? Over 5 years that is a savings of $600,000.

Or consider the printer we knew who left the hospital two days earlier than expected after recovering from serious side effects of a gastric by-pass surgery. Then there was the aids patient who instead of being in the hospital for an additional 4 to 5 days was out that afternoon.

But what might be the hardest to measure are the little things. What does a $10 book on reflexology do? We have had people walk up to us at book signing to tell us how one of our books has changed their life.

Or what can simple $10 foot rollers do for relaxing tension and improving circulation thus avoiding the more serious consequences of tension and loss of circulation. Or what is the impact of free information off an Internet site?

The AP article talked about bigger projects that still cost little or nothing to prevent problems. It talked about low cost programs like after school programs that cost about $40,000. Yet these programs are very effective in helping prevent health care problems and yes, even greater costs in the future.

Reflexology has an incredible potential for cutting health care costs. What about the reflexology paths being built around the world? Now much can they save for a relatively cheap construction cost?

Or what about reflexologists would donate their time to senior citizens and children? What about all those sessions either given away or at a very low cost to those in need.

Over the years I have heard from people working with farm workers, indigenous people and a variety of needy populations. How much would these people without health insurance cost when their illness became full blown and thrust upon the system if not for reflexology?

What are your thoughts on how reflexology has saved costs for you or others? And how do you think reflexology could be used to keep costs down?

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Healing Sleep and Reflexology

© luv4art. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

I have really been sleeping well lately. It has been a deep sleep with lots of dreams. They are pleasant dreams. I haven't slept this well since I was a kid.

My trick is simple. I do bamboo walking just before bed. What is bamboo walking? Legend has it that the Samurai warriors would go out in the bamboo forest and chop down a piece of bamboo. They would then split it. They would lay a piece of bamboo on the ground and walk on the rounded part.

Of course you could work on your feet with reflexology. There are several excellent research studies that point to the help reflexology can be. Partner reflexology can be excellent because there is a lot to letting someone else apply the technique. Or dust off that old foot roller and give it a workout.

Sweet dreams.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

The Loch Ness Monster and Reflexology

(c) This digital image was created by Sam Fentress, May 7, 2005.
I like anomalies that challenge my thinking. I don't have to agree with the anomaly. I just enjoy challenges to my conventional side. I guess that is why I first explored reflexology. I didn't really "believe" in it until much later in my exploration.

Skeptics like to think we, reflexologists are a gullible lot that accept anything weird and out of the ordinary. But in fact I come from a scientific family and know the value of logical thinking. However I also know that scientist cling to their "beliefs" with as much fervor as anyone else. They know what is true and what is false often at times without the inconvenience of research. They can be just as guilty of clinging to belief as those they point fingers at.

Even with all the research that has been done with reflexology the scientific community has been able to discount all the positive research while touting the negative evidence as flawless. This was evidenced by a recent BBC program.

Everything was discounted as a placebo effect or touchy feely types of reactions. There is really no connection between the feet and the rest of the body. The feet are not integrated into the internal organs and they cannot effect our bodies since they are seemly like a set of wheels on a cart. No connection whatsoever.

Yet we, reflexologists, are witnesses to events that simply do not fit the scientist view of the relationship between the feet and the rest of the body. These events can't be explain away by placebo effects and simple tactile stimulation.

The other night I watched a program on the History Channel about the Loch Ness monster. Again I like anomalies that challenge my thinking. It was a very well balanced program that showed both sides of the debate and to be honest I can't really say what is out there.

What struck me was not whether or not the Loch Ness monster exists or not. Some of the evidence was quite compelling. There was also compelling evidence that pointed that there were troubling questions to answer.

What struck me was what a very educated researcher who was a lawyer had to say. He said that you can discount some of the witnesses but not all of them.

He pointed to our judicial system. While our judicial system may be flawed it still works rather well.

And there are enough witnesses to some anomaly in the Loch Ness to point to a more than reasonable assumption that something is there. There are too many witnesses over too long a time.

We are witnesses to the workings of reflexology. We have seen too many events to be dismissed. We are too many of us.

What is patently clear is that here is an extremely important relationship between the feet and the rest of the body. It is integrated directly with our internal organs and our brain. We can use pressure to effect the internal organs in very profound ways.

And this relationship that is shunned by the scientists is much clearer than the Loch Ness monster. It is sitting in plain sight.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Doctor in Your Kitchen: PARKINSON's DISEASE

Doctor in Your Kitchen: PARKINSON's DISEASE

The "Doctor in the Kitchen" blog has quite extensive information on Parkinson's Disease. There is a lot of good information on this site. Worth reading.

My very first client had Parkinson's. There was a distinctive "button" located on the stem of her toe. This would be the area from the brainstem reflex area to the midbrain reflex area.

The basal ganglia is implicated in Parkinson's. It is hard to say if this "button" covers that area but every Parkinson's patient I have worked on had the same stress cue- the button.

It was a round calcified area on the lateral or outside of the big toe. And here is the curious part. It always seem to be on the left big toe.

Reflexology does seem to help Parkinson's patient with the symptoms. In fact a scientific research group in the UK recommends it for symptom control.

My clients felt it helped. And anything that can help with Parkinson's is a blessing.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com