Showing posts with label foot massage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foot massage. Show all posts

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Below, you will find an English selection of our articles, also sorted by theme under "Recommended reading" on our side-bar.

Please visit  www.barcelonareflexologia.com our Spanish website for a complete list of all our articles in English and in Spanish (translation tool provided).

Thank you.


Mechanisms and Outcomes of Reflexology: Most Recent Studies and Evidences of Benefits


Deeper investigation into reflexology as well as evolving imaging techniques allow to better understand how Reflexology works as a complex - if not complete therapy - or as diverse “Therapeutic Modalities” depending on the nature of reflexology applied (Foot Reflexology types vary in their choice of : reflex points protocol, pressure intensity, patterns of movements, frequency/duration of treatment,  and other factors or a combination of factors.)


Mechanisms. Reflexology and how it works is explained through:

  • The Reflex Zone Theory
  • The highly sensitive nature of the human foot: it is one of the body´s most sensitive area to sensory stimulation, rich in mechanoreceptors innervation.
  • The mechanotransduction effect of reflexology stimuli (or the ability of a cell to actively sense, integrate, and convert mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals that result in intracellular changes, such as ion concentrations, activation of signaling pathways and transcriptional regulation.)
  • The piezoelectric effect of reflexology stimuli and its impact on the autonomic nervous system and neural transmission.
  • The changes and balancing effects of reflexology on the fascial system (Fascia is a system that surrounds, interweaves between, and interpenetrates all organs, muscles, bones and nerve fibres, endowing the body with a functional structure, and providing an environment that enables all body systems to operate in an integrated manner), molecular and muscoskeletal systems. (“The plantar fascia on the sole of the foot manipulated during reflexology, links to the Achilles tendon which sits within the superficial back line of fascia, tracing up the back of the leg, onwards to the spine and then over the back and top of the head to the brow. The myofascial transition of plantar fascia-gastrocnemius; gastrocnemius-hamstrings; hamstrings-lumbar fascia/erector spinae/occipito-frontalis is of particular interest for the reflexologist. Working the reflexes on and around the plantar fascia may have an effect on those body parts, as adjustment and release occurs all the way up from foot to head.”)
  • Therapeutic relationship : psychological benefits of therapist/patient interconnection, rapport and empathy
  • Therapeutic touch: beneficial nature of human touch
  • Hawthorne effect (change of patient´s reaction and behaviour when allowing/receiving increased attention )
  • Placebo effect
  • Encouraging, diagnose-free, natural healing environment

Outcome and Benefits:

  • Stress and techno-stress modulator
  • Hormonal balance
  • Haemodynamic effects (or improvement of blood flow)
  • Improved propioception  (the body's ability to sense movement, action, and location), stability and balance. (“Studies have shown that the retinacula of the ankle and foot are rich in nerve fibres and proprioceptors...which, through stimuli...deliver signals to the brain about spatial positioning and effective movement in space.”
  • Induces sleep-state brainwaves leading to
    • Better sleep and rest
    • Improvement of inmune system
    • Improvement of anxiety and depression
    • Heightened cognitive functions
    • Improved digestive functions
    • Reduced pain perception (threshold, tolerance, duration)
    • Improved inflammatory conditions
    • Release of muscular tension
    • Facilitates adaptation to circadian movements
    • Urinary bladder control

Reflexology: Exploring the mechanism of action. JudithWhatley, JoannePerkins, CarolSamuel. Elsevier Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice - Volume 48, August 2022, 101606 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388122000743

Principios de Reflexologia Dr. Jesus Manzanares Corominas, Paidos Iberica Ediciones, Sp

Migraine or Headache: Scientific Studies Demonstrate Efficacy of Reflexology in Both Conditions

Headache is the manifestation of pain and pressure sensation in the skull. It is usually present on both sides of the head. 

It occurs with muscle contractions of the neck, face, scalp, or shoulders, due to tension, stress, anxiety, depression, head trauma, or poor head posture maintained for a certain time (when sitting at the computer for example, or when sleeping with bad posture). A cold or sinusitis, eye strain, bruxism (teeth-clenching), excessive caffeine consumption (or caffeine withdrawal), tobacco, alcohol... can also cause headaches. 



Headache is more common in adults, and in women. 

It rarely reflects a serious health problem. It does not worsen with routine physical activity. It improves with rest, and it improves and can disappear with reflexology. 


Migraine is a more extreme, recurring type of headache, usually on one side of the head, with a throbbing sensation: it is a constitutional disorder with an inherited basis. It can be accompanied by nausea or vomiting, and increased sensitivity to lights (photophobia) or noise (phonophobia). 

Stress, menstruation or hormonal changes, climate changes, intense physical activity... can trigger or worsen migraine. 

It improves with rest. Symptoms, duration, intensity, frequency improve with Reflexology

Today numerous world-wide scientific studies demonstrate the effectiveness of Reflexology in preventing and treating both headaches and migraines, relieving pain and other symptoms, shortening their duration, reducing their frequency. Reflexology is a safe and effective non-pharmacological option in the management of headaches and migraines for those who suffer from them.

A pragmatic case series o clients living with medically diagnosed migraine self-refered to reflexology. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Elsevier Nov 2020 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388120311051

Analysis of the efficacy of Reflexology in the complex treatment of  migraine SafonovMI, Naprienko MV Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakpva, 01 Jan 2017 https://europepmc.org/search?query=AUTH%3A%22M%20I%20Safonov%22

Effects of Reflexology in reducing migraine attacks, pain, duration, intensity and ferquency in females. Journal of Chinese Medicine, Elsevier April 2017 WojciechKobsa PaellLizis, Halina RomualdaZieba  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S025462721730047X

Dolor de Cabeza o Cefalea 19 abril 22 CuidatePlus https://cuidateplus.marca.com/enfermedades/neurologicas/dolor-cabeza-o-cefalea.html#:~:text=El%20dolor%20de%20cabeza%20o,se%20presenta%20de%20forma%20intermitente

Effect of applying reflexology massage on nitroglycerin-induced migraine-type headache: A placebo-controlled clinical trial. Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmıa, Iran Submitted (Başvuru tarihi) 02.10.2017 Accepted after revision (Düzeltme sonrası kabul tarihi) 13.04.2018 https://www.journalagent.com/agri/pdfs/AGRI-43815-EXPERIMENTAL_AND_CLINICAL_STUDIES-GHAVAMI.pdf

Reflejoterapia podal para combatir el estrés CuidatePLus 8enero 2002 https://cuidateplus.marca.com/enfermedades/enfermedades-del-pie/2002/01/07/reflejoterapia-podal-salud-pies-8030.html

Improve Your Balance, Blood Pressure, and Mood with Reflexology and... Walking on Cobblestone


Several scientific studies confirm the benefits reaped by people of all ages in Asian countries by walking barefoot on cobblestones, 30 minutes daily. The stimulating effect results from the activation of certain reflex points (nerve endings which are numerous in the feet) such as in foot reflexology. 



The studies carried out underline positive results in: 

  • Sleep quality 
  • Pain relief 
  • Dialostic blood pressure 
  • Balance 
  • Control over possible falls 
  • Mood improvement 

Among a multitude of other benefits, Foot Reflexology also confers the above, and acts more specifically on reflex points determined according to the conditions sought to be improved. For people who do not have a garden or outdoor path, there are cobblestone rugs on the market, as well as reflexology insoles. 

Visit:  www.reflexologybarcelona.com for your next clinical reflexology session.

Study confirms benefits of cobblestone walking for older adults – News dical Life Sciences Oregon Research Institute 2005 https://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/06/29/11422.aspx 

Health Benefits of cobblestone mat walking - Human Kinetics Journal 2022 https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/japa/11/4/article-p487.xml

Eficacy of Reflexology in Treatment of Constipation: Clinical Evidence

 



In 2020, 9 databases were investigated in search of randomized clinical trials in the use of Reflexology to combat constipation. The Cochrane Institute Risk of Bias* assessment tools were applied to more than 650 articles.




The results obtained confirm that Reflexology is an effective natural and complementary therapy in the treatment of functional constipation, in people of all ages, children and the elderly.


* The ‘Risk of Bias’ is a tool developed by the “Cochrane Collaboration” to evaluate the methodology of scientific evidence, being useful in systematic reviews for the individual analysis of the included RCTs. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) present the highest level of experimental research according to the levels of evidence.

Reflexology on Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Zahra Anjoman Azari 2020 Shiraz e-medical Journal. Shiraz University of Medical Sciences https://sites.kowsarpub.com/semj/articles/100585.html 

Foot reflexology in the management of functional constipation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Huang Yaqi. NIH. PubMed. Gov 2020 Aug https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32891277/ 

Effect of Reflexology on the Constipation Status of Elderly People Bahar Inkaya Yonago Acta Med. 2020 May https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7231874/ 

Reflexology in the management of encopresis and chronic constipation Eileen Bishop Nursing Children and Young People RCNi Plus 2003 https://journals.rcni.com/doi/abs/10.7748/paed2003.04.15.3.20.c843