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Vaccines and Reflexology

1/1/2021

How would providing reflexology to infants, children and adults prior to the administration of vaccines change and/or improve the outcomes?
Where there are weaknesses in the system, how would reflexology influence these cases both in the acute states as well as in the long term?

The research outlined below begins the study of these questions. The trial seems to indicate that after a reflexology session, the body is in a substantially better state to respond to the pain and stress of a vaccine injection.

On a broader scale, this fits with the anecdotal testimonies of many of my clients who report better handling of stress, both emotionally and physically, after receiving reflexology.
Clients also report increased quality of life when receiving reflexology alongside stressful medical situations such as cancer treatment, surgeries and hospitalizations.
In addition, where there has been a fall in an elderly client, when they have received regular reflexology prior, there are often minimal repercussions beyond minor scrapes.
Athletes receiving regular reflexology report fewer injuries, stronger performances and faster recovery times between games and events.

Are all of these coincidences? Or does the consistency of these reports point to the proper application of reflexology strengthening the body's response to stress?

These are timely considerations as the push for mandatory vaccination continues to surge with great conflict here in the United States. And most would agree there is minimally acute stress at the point of administration of the vaccine(s). I encourage all to do the research and when choosing to receive these vaccinations, consider scheduling a reflexology session as well. The stimulation of the reflexes will strengthen the body's ability to stabilize and encourage the removal of unwanted material. This is important for both the short and long term of overall health.

And as always, keep in mind, a strong immune system must continue to be the goal for optimal health.

The Effect of Foot Reflexology in Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
In this randomized controlled trial researchers evaluated the effect of foot reﬂexology on acute pain in infants following a vaccine injection.
The FLACC measurement is a pain assessment scale that reviews the infant in terms of their observed Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability and in addition researchers used questionnaires to determine the descriptive characteristics of infant-mother pairs.
Infants were given 20 - 30 minutes of reflexology prior to vaccination and physiological measurements relating to pain, heart rate, oxygen saturation levels, and crying periods of the infants were measured in both the reﬂexology and control groups before and after vaccination.
A statistically signiﬁcant difference was observed between the mean FLACC pain scores of the infants in the reﬂexology and control groups (p = .000). Furthermore, infants in the reﬂexology group also had lower heart rates, higher oxygen saturation, and shorter crying periods than the infants in the control group
The results revealed that providing reflexology prior to vaccination in these infants reduces the pain they experience following the vaccination.

This is the disclaimer to remind you that I am not a licensed physician and cannot give medical advice or treatment. These are my personal opinions and the summation of research as well as verbal reports of my clients. As always, consult with your doctor if you need medical advice or treatment.

Reflexology Lymph Drainage

6/10/2020

I am so proud of local reflexologist and colleague, Martha Richards, for researching and putting together a paper, Addressing Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Using The Reflexology Lymph Drainage ("RLD") Technique.

As a reflexologist that has used this technique for the past four years alongside traditional reflexology, I have personally seen this technique help with a wide variety of conditions and its effects are often measurable. It is non-invasive and takes about 40 minutes. The results and feedback continue to amaze, are changing thousands of lives and allowing many to experience lasting relief.

Photos by Sally Kay, UK reflexologist, researcher, pioneer and originator of Reflexology Lymph Drainage.

Martha's blog post with the paper attached.
https://www.reflexologywithmartha.com/post/_bcrl

This is the disclaimer to remind you that I am not a licensed physician and cannot give medical advice or treatment. These are my personal opinions and the summarization of research as well as verbal reports of my clients. As always, consult with your doctor if you need medical advice or treatment.

Integrative Medicine and Reflexology in the News!

6/25/2016

A First for Reflexology!
For the first time in history, reflexology was represented at the International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health conference. Not just once, but FOUR times!
Over 1000 participants from around the world, mostly MDs and PhDs, were given the opportunity to view four different scientific research posters on reflexology. One was sponsored by the Reflexology Association of American and the American Reflexology Certification Board, another came out of Denmark and two others from Israel. This was the big leagues!
A history-making opportunity to expose those working in integrative medicine to reflexology.

I am excited to watch this therapy continue to grow and become respected in circles around the world. Israel and Denmark were two of the four presenting the studies and this makes sense as they are #1 and #2 in the world for number of reflexology sessions in their respective countries. The US has a ways to go but here in SE Michigan, I am working on that. I have watched this therapy improve quality of life for hundreds of my clients with lots more come. Grateful for the moments.

This is the disclaimer to remind you that I am not a licensed physician and cannot give medical advice or treatment. These are my personal opinions and the summarization of research as well as reports of my clients. As always, consult with your doctor if you need medical advice or treatment.

Happy World Reflexology Week!

9/22/2015

www.clinicalreflex.com

Happy World Reflexology Week!

All over the world, reflexologists are promoting this beautiful therapy. I like to call it "beautiful" because the immediate and long-term results continue to astound and amaze just about every person that encounters professional reflexology. Many times, clients come to see me as a last resort or because their doctor advised them to give it a try. Spread the word. I believe if more individuals scheduled monthly preventative care reflexology sessions, we would see improvements in emotional/physical outcomes across the spectrum of healthcare today.

In brief, reflexology is both the science and the art of stimulating specific areas in the hands and feet (and sometimes other areas of the body), to encourage the release of trapped tension throughout the ten zones of the body, to strengthen nerve connections, to increase blood flow to areas that need it and to increase function of all systems for the greatest optimal health. Reflexology, when done well, gently encourages the body, from the inside out, to heal itself.

Kindest,
Ruth
Clinical Reflexologist
ruth@clinicalreflex.com

This is the disclaimer to remind you that I am not a licensed physician and cannot give medical advice or treatment. These are my personal opinions and the summarization of research as well as reports of my clients. As always, consult with your doctor if you need medical advice or treatment.

Oil of Oregano

9/19/2015

My office smells a bit like gourmet pizza this month. I've been using Oil of Oregano or as one my younger clients affectionately calls it, the "pizza oil".

There are many varieties of this oil. Oreganum vulgare is the one I use and it's one of two that are known for their therapeutic benefits.

This oil promotes upper respiratory and digestive health. Most importantly for this time of year, this oil lends support to our immune systems, helping us stay free of colds and sinus infections.

For my use, and because it is a strong oil, I dilute it in a carrier oil before applying. Combining the benefits of essential oils with the therapuetic touch of reflexology creates a wonderful environment for stimulating balance, growth and healing.

Kindest,
Ruth

Reflexology for Runners and Athletes

9/18/2015

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As it becomes more well-known, many are discovering and experiencing the deep relaxation as well as the many health benefits that come with regular reflexology. Clients continue to report that reflexology has become their number one favorite therapy. As I've had the opportunity to work with runners, weekend warriors and pro athletes, here is what they tell me regular reflexology does for them. It's an impressive list!

Promotes rapid soft tissue recovery after a particularly grueling event, game or workout (according to research at Bonash University in Australia, reflexology can remove lactic acid from the legs four times faster than massage)
Strengthens the body's ability to respond to physical and emotional stress, which helps keep injuries away
Improves mental fitness as reflexology strengthens the body/mind connection,
Maximizes performance/faster times,
Increases stamina,
Eases tension,
Reduces stiffness and improve flexibility,
Promotes deep relaxation, thereby improving focus,
Promotes deep healing sleep,
Prevents/manages bunions/neuromas/tendinitis,
Eases plantar fasciosis (fasciitis),
Strengthens the immune system and digestion
Supports the knees, hips, shoulders and joints,
Promotes faster recovery from injuries,
Addresses seasonal discomforts such as allergies and sinus discomfort,
Provides support for a healthier lymphatic system
Addresses pain and inflammation, cutting back on the use of NSAIDS and their potential side effects,
Addresses acute aches and pains in an efficient manner,
Encourages and strengthen the body's ability to heal itself.

In brief, reflexology evokes the natural healing powers inherent in the body to help the body heal itself. The chief outcome of reflexology is to relax the body in order to improve blood flow, nerve impulses, and the bioelectrical energy throughout the body, allowing the body to normalize, balance and heal. There are no side effects like those experienced with drug therapy. Reflexology is a complete healing system unto itself. It is gentle, precise and appropriate for any stage of life, including before and after surgery. A session can occur in almost any place with little to no equipment, making reflexology an ideal therapy and wellness practice.

This is the disclaimer to remind you that I am not a licensed physician and cannot give medical advice or treatment. These are my personal opinions and the summarization of research as well as verbal and written reports of my clients. As always, consult your doctor if you need medical advice or treatment.

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What is Reflexology?

9/1/2014

Dr. Gwen Wyatt, professor at Michigan State University, gives a great one-minute explanation here.

Reflexology is the science that there are reflexes in the hands, ears and feet relative to every gland, organ and part of the body. This means that any illness or disturbance in a certain part or area of the body is translated into an especially sensitive zone on the foot. Practiced on a regular basis, reflexology can lead to a true regeneration of the body.

Reflexology is experiencing growing recognition due to its effectiveness in stress-management and pathological conditions.

Reflexology stimulates the body's ability to self-heal. Reflexology can successfully restore the circulatory, nervous, digestive, hormonal and structural systems to normal functioning. It is equally valuable as a preliminary action before osteopathic and chiropractic manipulations, and as an adjuct therapy before and after operations.

Reflexology can be as easily applied to a newborn as to someone in the twilight of life. If homeostasis is no longer possible, reflexology brings comfort to those with serious illnesses and helps them tolerate their medications.

The holistic principles of the dynamic unity of the body and its self-regulating and self-healing capacities is fundamental to reflexology.*

*From Dr. Martine Faure-Alderson's book, Total Reflexology.

Findings from Dr. Manzanares on Reflexology

3/2/2014

Dr. J. Manzanares from Barcelona, Spain is a rare gift to the reflexology world. He is an M.D, surgeon and a teacher of reflexology. He has researched reflexology for the past 27 years with more than 70,000 clinical cases. His contribution and advancement to the science of reflexology is groundbreaking and is expanding as he travels to share his research and teach in the U.S.

Link to his website and his research and findings.

http://manzanaresmethod.com/epages/157f5add-9bde-41f9-8f4e-64dd60632698.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/157f5add-9bde-41f9-8f4e-64dd60632698/Categories/%22ABOUT%20REFLEXOLOGY%22

Kindest,
Ruth Ploski
@clinicalreflex