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

Reflexology in Hospitals Throughout Europe

In many European countries (see below), the use of foot reflexology in hospitals

It offers the patient an alternative to relieve pain and reduce the tensions created, sometimes generated by heavy treatments.

It also makes it possible to accompany the patient during long stays in the hospital, who, in fact, may find himself morally and psychologically tired. This is where reflexology plays its calming role.

“The wonderful thing about the integration of reflexology in the hospital setting is the birth of the collaboration between the reflexologist, the doctor and the healthcare team. This simple collaborative approach allows patients to be entitled to a new kind of care, a new opportunity to alleviate their suffering.” In a crisis situation, reflexology can sometimes calm as effectively as medication." Says Dr. Martine Faure-Alderson. He carried out research at the Marie Curie Institute in Paris that has made it possible to classify the practice of reflexology among non-invasive psycho-corporal therapies for fighting pain (and which includes tactile massage, hypnosis and relaxation techniques... .)

Reflexology is used as a holistic, preventive and/or complementary therapy in, for example: cancerology, diagnostic imaging, gerontological, perinatal, pediatric care, angiology, psychology, addictions...

Reflexology allows deep relaxation, and acts against pain. Improves blood circulation. Normalizes organic and glandular function.

Here are some of the many western countries where reflexology is present in hospitals and medical centers:

Switzerland: https://www.la-tour.ch/en/care-services/perinatal-reflexology-consultation

France: https://www.proformed.fr/actualites/la-reflexologie-dans-les-services-hospitaliers/

Spain :

ICO, Cataluña https://ico.gencat.cat/web/.content/minisite/ico/ciutadans/documents/arxius/2017-05-Cast.CALENDARIO-DE-EDUCACION-PARA-LA-SALUD.pdf

San Joan de Deu, Barcelona https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcDFBOIV1VY

Teknon, Barcelona https://www.teknon.es/es/especialidades/riambau-alonso-vicente/reflexologia-podal

U:K: https://www.healthysoul.co.uk/resources/therapies-a-z/nhs-provision-complementary-therapies/

Denmanrk, Norway: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21244655/

Reflexology Proven Efficient in Back Pain Treatment from Cervicals to Lumbars,Sacrum and Coccyx, Arthrosis, Sciatica, Piriforme Syndrome

 

Scientific evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of reflexology in the treatment of back pain inherent to osteoarthritis, piriformis syndrome, sciatica and various other causes.

Reflexology is a complementary, natural and harmless therapy that acts on the central nervous system through manual and calming stimulation of specific reflex points in the feet and hands, sending messages to the brain, that naturally changes and decreases how pain is perceived.

Reflexology facilitates body and mental relaxation, benefits circulation, breathing, and the immune response, among other therapeutic effects.

Foot reflexotherapy induces analgesia in low back pain. Hindawi 2017 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2017/2378973/

The effects of reflexology on low back pain intensity...Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery, 2012 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3696219/

Effects of foor refleology on p ain and anxiety after cervical spine surgery, 2021 https://hqlo.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12955-021-01667-2

Efectividad de la reflexologia podal en pacientes con atrosis cervical. Medisan 2017 www.redalyc.org/pdf/3684/368449645002.pdf

What is Reflexology, WebMed Aug, 21.2021 https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-reflexology

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

Significant Improvement in Restless Leg Syndrome and Akinetic Rigidity Syndrome with Reflexology: Scientific Evidence

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) also known as Willis-Ekbom disease is a problem of the nervous system
that causes an irrepressible urge to move the legs, particularly during rest: people suffering from this syndrome feels uncomfortable unless they get up and walk. The movement stops the unpleasant sensation for a while. No one knows exactly what causes RLS. It may be due to a problem with the way dopamine is used by brain cells.

Dopamine is a brain chemical that helps with muscle movement.

Rigid-akinetic syndrome is clinically characterized by muscle rigidity, slowness in the execution of movements (bradykinesia), decreased range of motion (hypokinesia), and impaired balance. It is the consequence of a dopaminergic imbalance that can occur at two levels: presynaptic or postsynaptic.

The scientific studies cited below complement and confirm the benefits and relief described by people affected by one of these syndromes when receiving reflexology treatments as a complementary therapy to their medical protocol.

European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) Reflexology as a complementary therapy in PD https://www.epda.eu.com/living-well/therapies/complementary-therapies/reflexology/ 

Parkinson´s Disease medical Rehabilitation Methods https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elcin-Huseyn-2/publication/353383613_Parkinson's_Disease_Medical_Rehabilitation_Methods/links/6135c2c438818c2eaf85cf70/Parkinsons-Disease-Medical-Rehabilitation-Methods.pdf 

The effects of two methods of reflexology and stretching exercises on the severity of restless leg syndrome among hemodialysis patients https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4857654/ 

The Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on the Sleep Quality of Elderly Women With Restless Leg Syndrome http://jccnc.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_id=152&slc_lang=en&sid=1&printcase=1&hbnr=1&hmb=1 

Severity of Restless Legs Syndrome in Female Patients Undergoing Dialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Effectiveness-of-Foot-Reflexology-in-the-of-in-Ghasemi-Rejeh/ee20dd17280fc6ce90e16d229c363b5630bbe205

Scientific Studies Show Efficacy of Reflexology in Infantile Colic

 

The application of a child reflexology protocol on the plantar reflexes of the nervous and digestive 

systems of infants with colic significantly reduces their daily crying and irritability, thus minimizing the anguish and distress of their parents or caregivers.

This is demonstrated by several recent scientific studies.

The reflexology protocol should be applied by a certified professional reflexologist.

Sources:

Is foot reflexology effective in reducing colic symptoms in infants: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Nimet Karatas. AysegulIsler Dalgic. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Science Direct June 2021

Is foot reflexology effective in reducing colic symptoms in infants: A randomized placebo-controlled trial - ScienceDirect

A pilot study of parents' experiences of reflexology treatment for infants with colic in Finland. Leena Hannula. Pauli Puukka. Marjut Asunmaa. Markku Mäkijärvi. PubMed December 2020

A pilot study of parents' experiences of reflexology treatment for infants with colic in Finland - PubMed (nih.gov)

Reflexology Alleviates Rhino-Sinus Conditions and Symptons: A Self-Help Guide

Spring and Summer are seasons that usually come along with  high levels of pollen and other allergens, which can cause an increase in conditions of the upper airways (nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx), together with possible hypoxia (oxygen deficiency in the blood, cells and tissues of the body). 

What can help (see your doctor): 

• Nasal use of saline solution, 
• Inhalations of Ravintsara (Cinnamomum Camphora) essential oil, and 
• Foot reflexology: "... Daily nasal irrigation and a daily reflexology massage were equally effective and improved symptoms of chronic sinusitis in more than 70% of the subjects. Medication use was reduced to approximately one third of the participants regardless of the intervention. " as shown by medical studies.

With no side effects, the application of foot reflexology on the reflexes of the upper respiratory tract usually alleviates the effects of rhino-sinusitis: Minutiously massage your feet daily, with careful attention to the  upper respiratory system reflexes, as indicated in the photo. (Every day for 15-20 minutes) 

Reflexology for Sinusitis, Rhinitis and upper respiratory disorders http://www.barcelonareflexologia.com/2017/04/reflexologia-para-sinusitis-rinitis-y.html 

Alleviation of sinonasal symptoms. Diane G.HeatleyMDKari E.McConnellRN, CORLNTony L. KilleBSGlen E.LeversonPhD 30 January 2003 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0194599801838195 

Hypoxia and Rhino-Sinusitis Hyung-Ju Cho1,2 and Chang-Hoon Kim1,2, * 28 February 2018 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5836558/ 

Use of alternative medicine in Israeli chronic rhinosinusitis patients Arkadi Yakirevitch, Lev Bedrin, Lela Migirov, Michael Wolf, Yoav P Talmi https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19755095/