Reflexologists worldwide are celebrating and participating in World Reflexology Week, which takes place 21-27 September 2020, raising awareness and promoting the health benefits of reflexology.

Reflexology (foot version) is a popular and relaxing holistic treatment based on the principle that reflex points on the soles, tops and sides of the feet are connected to organs and glands in the body. When these reflex points are stimulated by the therapist through thumb and finger movements, the peripheral nervous system is activated and sends “calming” messages to the central nervous system. This in turn instructs the body to reduce tension. The practice is also thought to aid circulation and improve the symptoms of many health conditions.

One large, year-long analysis by Kunz and Kunz (2008) of 168 studies from 23 countries that included data available on the frequency and duration of reflexology practices found that reflexology is 93% effective in its application to 78 physical and mental conditions. These included the following:

Pain Reduction & Sleep Improvements

Kunz and Kunz’s assessment reveals positive outcomes for reflexology work ranging from “significant difference in pain” to “reduction in pain” to specific results such as “effective in eradicating or reducing the intensity and duration of phantom limb pain.”

• Through self-help use of reflexology (40 minutes twice per week for 4 weeks) female nurses experienced improved sleep.
• Improvements in sleep and mood as well as lessened aches and pains for mothers staying with their hospitalised children.
• Real-time reduction in pain for mothers during delivery.
• Lessened pain for sinusitis sufferers.
• Reduced pain for phantom limb amputees (weekly reflexology sessions for 6 weeks).
• Lessened daytime sleepiness, reduction in pain and improved control over falls for senior citizens (45 minutes 3 times a week for 8 weeks).
• Lowering of nausea and vomiting for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (three times daily for 20-30 minutes).
• A significant difference in depression, perceived stress, systolic blood pressure and natural-killer cells for middle-aged women (daily for 6 weeks).

Twenty-seven journal articles also showed that reflexology reduced pain in cases of diabetes, chest pain, AIDS, kidney stones and osteoarthritis.

Stimulation of Organs

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed that reflexology increased blood flow to the kidneys and intestines. Kidney patients receiving dialysis particularly benefited.

Relaxation

Electroencephalogram (EEG) readings suggested that reflexology decreases blood pressure and relieves anxiety.

Mental Health

Mental health workers report that reflexology work provides many advantages including facilitating communication and allowing for the client to be “touched during treatment in a safe non-intrusive/abusive manner.”

Kunz and Kunz note that specific groups benefitting from reflexology work include:

• aggressive and anti-social children;
• autistic children; individuals in need of emotional support;
• mentally ill individuals with severe and enduring schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder; and
• victims of post traumatic stress syndrome.

Sessions were applied weekly over a 6 week to 15 week period. Ten studies show reduction in anxiety. Effects were achieved with a single session of 30 to 60 minutes and from one, two or three times weekly up to nine weeks. Ten demonstrate a lessening of depression or improvement in mood. Individuals impacted by reflexology work range across all age groups from children to the middle-ages to senior citizens.

Our Offer for the Month of September 2020

To celebrate World Reflexology Week we are offering throughout the whole of September 2020 a very special deal for new and existing clients. Buy 1 foot reflexology treatment and get 1 absolutely FREE! Because that’s how much we love reflexology and believe in it as a therapy that’s so beneficial and good for the body, mind and sole (whoops reflexologist slip – soul).

There are a few stipulations. Both treatments must occur in the month of September. The offer can only be redeemed once per person. And this is not available in conjunction with any other offer.

Just book in as normal on our Covid-19 page for your first session and when it comes to your second treatment on checkout we won’t charge a penny.

What are you waiting for? Get booking today!

Sources:

How Does Reflexology Work? University of Minnesota 2016. Available at: www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/…/how-does-reflexology-work

https://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1631614.htm