Evidence-Based Reflexology for Reflexologists

Learn the latest in research to add to your reflexology skills. You'll help others as well as boost your business as you speak with authority, telling clients and other health professionals how reflexology results in success. This book includes information documented by 168 studies: How much, how long and how often to apply reflexology and what results can be achieved for 78 disorders and physical conditions; Time line information for successful outcomes; A discussion about creating successful outcomes through appropriate technique application; A discussion about what reflexology research shows, citing studies validating reflexology's effects: Impact on specific organs; Amelioration of symptoms; Creation of a relaxation effect; Aid in pain reduction; Impact on physiological measures; Improvement in blood flow; Benefits for post-operative recovery and Pain reduction; Enhancement of medical care; Adjunct to mental health care; Complement to cancer care. Bibliography included. Table of Contents

Introduction

Reflexology research shows that systematic patterns of pressure technique application create specific changes in the body and its health. Evidence found in research provides answers about two issues: what results can be obtained through reflexology work and how to get results with reflexology. Consequently, it is now possible to make evidence-based predictions about reflexology and dosing: the amount of reflexology work needed to achieve a specific outcome.

Results from some 166 reflexology studies are reported here. The studies were selected because abstract or full study information included an indication of how much reflexology work lead to reported results. This included information about the frequency (how often) and/or duration (how long) of technique application. They, thus, met the major goals of this work - assessing reflexology research to determine parameters for success (or failure) with reflexology technique application as well as dosing information.

Some of the studies follow the rigorous standard of science: inclusion of treatment and control groups; randomized assignment of participants to treatment or control groups; blinding or double blinding; publication in peer reviewed journals; and listing with PubMed, the National Institute of Health database. Studies are included, however, which are outside of these standards. This has been done to provide information that serves as a starting point for exploring guidelines for reflexology technique application: frequency (how often), duration (how long) and strength of signal (how hard). Such information is important for those who would conduct rigorous scientific research as well as those who seek to apply reflexology as professional practitioners, care givers and/or self-help users.

This work includes discussions as well as tables of information. Discussions include: general factors impacting successful outcomes and general results of reflexology work. Tables include information about specific dosing and results. Included also is a Bibliography of 168 studies.