Constipation
"Using Reflexology to Relieve Chronic Constipation"
(from the Danish Journal of Nursing, 24, June '92)
This was a Pilot Study: 20 women, 30-60 years of age,
defecation interval two days or more, suffered from
constipation from 5-54 years with an average of 24.6
years. Treatment procedure: per person: 15 free treatments
(2 per week for 4 weeks, minimum 2 days between each
treatment, and then one treatment each week for 7
weeks)
Results
| |
Before |
After |
| Frequency
of defecation-average |
4.1
days |
1.8
days |
| Painful
defecation |
40% |
Nil |
| Normal
stool consistency |
Nil |
50% |
| Reduction
in use of laxatives |
|
55% |
Other
health problems were reported by 95% of the women
and 80% said that these health problems had changed
for the better.
Headaches
and Migraines
"Headache/Migraine - Has Reflexology an Effect?"
by Leila Eriksen
Study: 220 patients over a maximum of 6 months (average
10 treatments each) and again 3 months after treatments
ended, with patients filling out diaries. The majority
of the 220 patients were 25-54 years; 33% had previously
experienced alternative treatment with success; 63%
had headaches for more than 9 years, 71% for more
than 6 years.
Results
At final treatment: 23% were cured, 55% were helped
which equals a positive effect on 78% (25% from the
tension headache group were cured and 20% from migraine
group). At the time of follow-up only 23% of the migraine
patients had no effect. Also at the follow up:41%
obtained a better life quality, 53% felt physically
better, 50% psychologically better.
Premenstrual Symptoms
Randomized Controlled Study of Premenstrual Symptoms
Treated with Ear, Hand and Foot Reflexology by Terry
Oleson, PhD and William Flocco "Obstetrics &
Gynecology"
Objective
To determine whether reflexology therapy - the application
of manual pressure to reflex points on the ears, hands,
and feet that somatotopically correspond to specific
areas of the body - can significantly reduce premenstrual
symptoms compared to placebo treatment.
Methods
Thirty five women who complained of previous distress
with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were randomly assigned
to be treated by ear, hand, and foot reflexology or
to receive placebo reflexology. All subjects completed
a daily diary, which monitored 38 premenstrual symptoms
on a four-point scale. Somatic and psychological indicators
of premenstrual distress were recorded each day for
2 months before treatment, for 2 months during reflexology
and for 2 months afterwards. The reflexology sessions
for both groups were provided by a trained reflexology
therapist once a week for 8 weeks, and lasted 30 minutes
each.
Results
Analysis of variance for repeated measures demonstrated
a significantly greater decrease in premenstrual symptoms
for the women given true reflexology treatment than
for the women in the placebo group.
Conclusion
These clinical findings support the use of ear, hand
and foot reflexology for the treatment of PMS (Obstet
Gynecol 1993; 82:906-11).
Reduction of Symptoms
| Symptom |
True
Reflexology |
Placebo
Reflexology |
| Easily
Irritated |
63%
|
43% |
| Nervous
or Anxious |
36%
|
24% |
| Depressed
or Sad |
66%
|
24% |
| Forgetful
or Confused |
76%
|
25% |
| Critical
of Self & Others |
68%
|
36% |
| Headache |
77%
|
22% |
| Backache |
48%
|
26% |
| Constipation |
60%
|
25% |
| Tired
or Fatigued |
27%
|
8% |
| Difficulty
Falling Asleep |
33% |
0% |
From the Division of Behavioural Medicine, California
Graduate Institute, Los Angeles; and the American
Academy of Reflexology, Burbank, California. This
study was funded by private contributions to the California
Graduate Institute and the American Academy of Reflexology.
|
