Reflexology

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The neutrality and factual accuracy of this article are disputed. Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page. This article has been tagged since November 2007.

Reflexology, or zone therapy, is the practice of massaging, squeezing, or pushing on parts of the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve general health.

There is no consensus on how reflexology does or could work in practice; a unifying theme is the idea that areas on the foot correspond to areas of the body, and that by manipulating these one can improve health through one's qi.^[1]

Concerns have been raised by medical professionals that treating potentially serious illnesses with reflexology, which has no proven efficacy, could delay the seeking of help from proven conventional medicine.^[2] However, registered reflexologists operate according to a code of conduct and would not diagnose a serious medical condition or treat one without medical consent.

Claimed mechanisms of operation

Reflexologists posit that the body contains an energy field, invisible life force, or Qi, the blockage of which can prevent healing.^[1]

Other reflexologists claim to be able to relieve stress and pain in other parts of the body through the manipulation of the feet.^[3]

Other proposed effects of reflexology include the release of endorphins (natural pain killers found in the body), the promotion of lymphatic flow in the body or the dissolving of uric acid crystals.^{[attribution needed]}

These hypotheses are rejected by the general medical community, citing a lack of scientific evidence and the well-tested germ theory of disease.^[4]

History

The precursor of modern reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1913 by William H. Fitzgerald, M.D. (1872-1942), an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and Dr. Edwin Bowers. Fitzgerald claimed that applying pressure had an anesthetic effect on other areas of the body.^[5]

Reflexology was further developed by Eunice D. Ingham (1899-1974), a nurse and physiotherapist, in the 1930s and 1940s.^[6][7] Ingham claimed that the feet and hands were especially sensitive, and mapped the entire body into "reflexes" on the feet. It was at this time that "zone therapy" was renamed reflexology.

Modern reflexologists in the United States and the United Kingdom often learn Ingham's method first, although there are other more recently developed methods.^[4]

Criticism

Common criticisms of reflexology are the lack of central regulation, accreditation and licensing, the lack of medical training provided to reflexologists, and the short duration of training programmes. Diplomas in reflexology can be attained with as little as six months of home study;^[8] and the lack of licensing and regulation allows anyone to practice as a reflexologist with no qualifications. However in certain European countries, for example; Switzerland, you have to be a medical practitioner to practice Reflexology, due to the required understanding of anatomy and physiology.

Reflexology's claim to manipulate energy (Qi) has been called pseudoscientific as there is no scientific evidence for the existence of life energy, Qi, 'crystalline structures' or 'pathways' in the body.^[9]

Reflexology charts

A reflexology chart shows the "reflex zones" worked by reflexologists on the soles of the feet. Similar maps exist for the position of the reflexes on the hands and ears.

In this chart, the color codes represent the following organs or parts of the body:

other charts

Reflexology in the Media

An episode of Penn & Teller: Bullshit! (1-02 Alternative Medicine) focused on reflexology. The original airing was February 7, 2003.
The Real Hustle mentioned reflexology as part of a weight loss scam (Season 4 Episode 2).

See also

• Alternative medicine
• Acupressure
• Acupuncture
• Auriculotherapy
• Metamorphic Technique
• Pseudoscience

Notes

External links

Professional bodies and organisations

• Association of Reflexologists
• Federation of Holistic Therapists
• International Council of Reflexologists
• Reflexology in Europe Network
• Reflexology Organisations in Different Countries
• TSARS, The South African Reflexology Association

Critical websites

• Carroll, Robert Todd (2007-10-03). Skeptics Dictionary: Definition of Reflexology (html) (english). Retrieved on 2007-10-12.
• Barrett, Stephen (2004-09-25). Reflexology: A close look. Quackwatch. Retrieved on 2007-10-12.

Review of scientific evidence

• Reflexology at Aetna InteliHealth (html) (english) (2005-07-07). Retrieved on 2007-10-12.

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