©2000 Kunz and Kunz
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"Ten minute reflexology treatments can provide relief from pain, nausea and anxiety according to a report from the School of Nursing, Division of Science and Design, University of Canberra, Australia. Nurses at the school conducted an empirical study on the use of foot massage as a nursing intervention in patients hospitalised with cancer. The study was developed from the earlier work of Ferrell-Torry and Glick (1992)
"87 patients participated in the study and each received a 10-minute reflexology foot massage (5 minutes per foot). The results revealed that the treatments produced a significant and immediate effect on the patients' perceptions of pain, nausea and relaxation when measured with a visual analog scale. The use of reflexology foot massage as a complementary method is recommended as a relatively simpler nursing intervention for patients experiencing nausea or pain related to the cancer experience. The results were so positive that the researchers recommend that further research using larger numbers of patients in controlled clinical trials into its effectiveness of reflexology in alleviating pain, nausea and anxiety in the management of these symptoms by the family at home is warranted." ("Reflexology Used for Cancer Patients," Internet Health Library, October 11, 2000; Review of "Foot Massage: A nursing intervention to modify the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea in patients hospitalized with cancer," Grealish, L. Lomasney, A., Whiteman, B., Cancer Nurse 2000, June;23(3):237-43)
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art exhibit "Design Afoot: Athletic Shoes, 1995 to 2000 includes 130 shoes including Prana. The shoe contains a woven microwire framework to distribute energy to contact pads which stimulate areas of the foot. The energy source is a special sock that collects and stores body heat. "Prana is a prototype shoe which integrates state-of-the-art biotechnics with the ancient healing arts of acupressure, reflexology and shiatsu to blur the line between nature and technology. … The Prana shoe literally bonds its bioelectric delivery system to a phytovascular sock. Light and heat energy are collected photosynthetically by the sock and then transdermally distributed to key pressure points around the foot's vital meridian points via exothermic contact pads." (As reported on CNN August 8, 2000; "Prana Design Fuses Nature and Technology for High performance Concept Shoe," PRNewswire, July 27, 2000)
Denver Bronco football players are using alternative therapies to get results on the field. Masseurs offer Swedish massage, deep-tissue work, and reflexology to help players overcome injury and stress. (DeBruin, Lynn, "Broncos Stretching to Excel: Yoga, massage therapy, hyperbaric chamber help players get results on field," Denver Rocky Mountain News, August 8, 2000)]
Reflexologists are hopeful that a January 2001 decision of the Texas Department of Health will free them from massage therapy registration requirements. Reflexologists rallied to voice their opinions at public meetings held by the Texas Department of Health in Austin, Dallas, and Houston on October 23, 26, and 27 respectively to evoke public comment about new Rules and Regulations.
A mailing by Kunz and Kunz notified reflexologists around the state of the impending review of Rules and Regulations. Included was education about making a presentation to state regulators and the issues involving massage regulation of reflexology. Joining a coalition of Trager practitioners, Oriental body workers, and Rolfers, reflexologists Kevin Kunz and Kimlee Lewis attended the Austin hearing, Diana Oldham of El Paso attended the Dallas hearing and Lorraine Torrance, Opal Kelly, Dianne Phillips, and others attended the Houston hearing. Key issues included:
1. Soft tissue manipulation: The state is determined to regulate soft tissue manipulation.
2. Education: By law, Texas massage schools must teach 125 hours of Swedish massage technique application. No other technique application education is allowed.
3. Definition: Texas law states that "'Massage therapy' means the manipulation of soft tissue by hand or through a mechanical or electrical apparatus for the purpose of body massage and includes effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), compression, vibration, friction, nerve strokes, and Swedish gymnastics."
4. Intent: In conjunction with definition, the intent of the practitioner to work on soft tissue (Swedish massage) was compared to the intent of the reflexologist, to work with reflexes;
5. Objective criteria: Only 5 of the existing 250 alternative health modalities would be impacted by the new Rules and Regulations. The objective criteria was utilized in the decision was questioned. (State officials were surprised to learn that one of the five, Tellington Touch, is the application of hands-on work - to horses.);
6. Certification of competence: Regulation of reflexology as a part of massage gives the consumer the impression that the state has verified the competency to practice reflexology of massage registered individuals who may or may not be educated in reflexology.
Reflexologist Muff Warren found a powerful ally in her presentation to the San Diego City Council - the mayor. In response to Muff's remarks about the inclusion of reflexologists in massage therapy licensing by the city, Mayor Golding noted that she had received reflexology services and "everyone knows" reflexology is not massage. The San Diego City Council then decided to exclude reflexology from the massage ordinance it has been subject to since 1989.
The Council held a public hearing on October 23 to receive comment about the city's massage ordinance. In the past, the city has required regulation by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Vice Squad with two levels of licensing: (1)110 hours of training of those receiving a massage technician license; (2) 500 hours for a massage license. Those with 1000 hours of training practiced as a holistic health practitioner (HHP), unregulated by the SDPD. Since 1989, 27 individuals with HHP status have been arrested for prostitution. City reflexologists had been concerned that the new 500-hour education standard would be applied to reflexologists. A task force has now been created to consider solutions ranging from total exemption for reflexologists to licensing requiring fewer than 500 hours of education.
Reflexologists have reached an agreement with the Board of Massage Therapy. The newly formed Board had required that reflexologist obtain massage therapy licensing. Under the agreement, reflexologists were grandfathered-in as licensed massage therapists by applying before November 1, 2000. Reflexologists in the future and those not grandfathered-in are exempted from licensure under the Board's Rules under certain circumstances: "Section 90-624 Nothing in this Article shall be construed to prohibit or affect … (6) The practice of movement educators … (7) The practice of techniques that are specifically intended to affect the human energy field … "Such persons are solely practicing techniques which are defined by a recognized national professional organization which meet the criteria set forth in either G. S. 90-624 (6) or (7) and such persons hold current certification from the national professional organization which has established standards for the practice of those specific techniques …"
A coalition of bodywork practitioners has formed to question state massage licensing requirements.
The Rules and Regulations of the Board of Massage and Bodywork now include "Reflexology" as a part of the definition of the "practice of massage and bodywork."
While "Reflexology" has been deleted from language relating to the authority and responsibility of the State Board of Massage," massage therapy licensing requirements remain in effect for reflexologist.
The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners has approved amendments allowing licensed physicians to practice alternative medicine too. "Physicians always had the ability to utilize both traditional and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology and herbal treatments. The new regulations formalize the practice. … The regulations require that physicians provide more detailed documentation of patient consent and types of alternative therapies implemented. … Physicians are required to use conventional methods to assess a patient before using alternative therapies. Under the new regulations, licensed physicians do not have to be certified through other alternative therapy boards to practice alternative medicine…"
In response to the Board's decision, an editorial asks "why further regulatory creep should be allowed," thus contributing to increases in health insurance costs and higher insurance premiums. The editorial complained that "The tendency of modern government is to declare that every activity must either be state-sanctioned and licensed - or else outlawed. … "By giving its blessing to these mysterious therapies ('acupuncture, reflexology and herbalism') government is implying that reading the bumps on someone's head can diagnose a serious illness as accurately as performing a CT scan. … "The state could prevent all this nonsense by rolling back its regulatory apparatus. As a start the formal oversight of medical practice should be limited to treatments that are consistent with the rigors of the scientific method. Beyond that, the state should neither sanction the practice of alternative medicine, nor outlaw it.… "Patients deserve the freedom to choose whatever treatments they prefer - as long as they're willing to foot the bill." (Las Vegas Review Journal, September 21, 2000)
More and more reflexologists have become concerned about the incursion of massage licensing on the reflexology profession. As more and more states license massage, more and more reflexologists are impacted. Questions have been raised about who is and who isn't doing something to stem the tide. An insurance company executive familiar with alternative health practitioners recently noted that alternative health practitioners don't seem to be able to get together to address the problems inherent to integrating with the medical system. Her opinion - members of alternative health professions are too busy fighting among themselves to address the pertinent issues. Reflexology is no different. Attempts to put the profession together into a coherent whole failed in 1989 and in 1995. The reflexology organizations that resulted from these attempts have not gained the support of the entire reflexology community. The profession remains fragmented thus lessening the ability of the individual reflexologist to fight off massage licensing efforts by a city or state.
Three things will put the profession back together again. One, follow the model of British reflexologists. The Association of Reflexologists (AOR) there consists only of reflexologists, not teachers and not school owners. AOR works with schools to establish curriculum standards. AOR creates and monitors the test given to student reflexologists. Two, establish a system of certificates for schools and associations that includes the citing of a scope of practice. Three, heal the division created by multiple reflexology scopes of practice: Hand and foot reflexology; hand, foot and ear reflexology; reflexology with (working) oil; reflexology with oil. Each represents a body of knowledge within reflexology with distinct research, standards, techniques, and professional issues. Practitioners of each should be recognized for their specialization. Practitioners of each should take responsibility for their practices.