At least half a million to a million reflexologists with increasing skills are needed to keep up with the growing market for reflexology in China. The country's current estimated four million reflexologists are not enough to keep up with the demand according to the China Association of Foot Care Office.
Research by Barbara and Kevin Kunz of Reflexology Research Project shows that the marketplace for reflexology has grown explosively along with China's economy. The market has expanded as "improved incomes, living standards and living conditions" in China have turned peoples' attention to pursuits of health and fitness. Reflexology is an attractive health-creating commodity well positioned in the marketplace by decades of the scientific research and thousands of years of tradition.
Studies demonstrate the effectiveness of reflexology use for health care, rehabilitation, and prevention goals. Reflexology is seen to "regulate the physiological functions of organs to achieve the health-care role." In addition, "(Reflexology) is a simple, most practical and most effective treatment and care green therapy" as noted by Chinese Foot Reflexology Research Association's Hang Wen-hsiung. Interesting to Kunz and Kunz is use of the label of green therapy to describe reflexology. It calls attention to reflexology research results demonstrating the safety of technique application since reflexology involves "no needles, no drugs and no side effects."
The Chinese government is actively investing in reflexology. Kunz and Kunz discovered that such investment is a part of meeting national goals in health, fitness and jobs creation, creating solutions to problems it shares with the United States and many other countries. Viewing reflexology as "a healthy and natural health-care technology" and "reflecting its (reflexology's) growing important social value," research exchanges and communication are being encouraged. Government agencies are creating standards for reflexology practitioners, teachers and educational systems. In addition, money is being spent by city after city to construct an infrastructure of reflexology paths for pursuit of fitness.
Reflexology fitness is an area of mushrooming growth in China. This new purpose for the reflexology idea is seen to aid health prevention and longevity through walking the reflexology path. It is actively encouraged by the Chinese government as a part of its National Fitness Plan, a decadelong program to encourage healthful pursuits. Tap Shek (Stepping Stone) Fitness is the name given to walking the reflexology paths. Use particularly targets senior citizens who may have a lessened capability to utilize other sports and fitness venues. Hundreds of millions of Chinese yuan are being invested in infrastructure as cities create fitness facilities for such purposes. Construction of reflexology paths is included among venues such as basketball courts, soccer fields, badminton courts, table tennis tables, jogging paths and ice skating rinks.
Finally, reflexology means job growth. Reflexology has been a part of jobs development for more than a decade providing a means of employment for rural Chinese who moved into the cities. The expansion of markets for reflexology services in China has created "large and small foot shop everywhere" including at least two chains of 500 or more shops. Now "Increasing numbers of reflexologists are needed to serve the increasing markets." The current shortfall of reflexologists not only creates reflexology jobs but also jobs for reflexology teachers.
The Chinese government is moving to further professionalize the practice of reflexology. The million more reflexologists will meet requirements of the recently established Reflexology National Professional Standards Division including "scope of activities, work, skill requirements and level of knowledge to provide norms." Such "professional qualification certificates" will better serve health care needs. Reflexology is included in a "reflex therapy" division in the National Occupational Health" for the promotion of technical and theoretical research exchanges and communication to enhance reflex therapy technology and theoretical study of the overall development."
© 2008 Kunz and Kunz