FERTILITY BY CHOICE


CONDITIONED RESPONSE REFLEXOLOGY

The Natural Alternative for Reproductive Health

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FACTS ON FEET

The Human Foot  Is A Masterpiece of Engineering

And A Work Of Art

                                            ~Leonardo Da Vinci~

Reflexology is a method of applying pressure on specific reflexes on the feet and hands that correspond to organs, glands and other parts of the body.


Reflexology induces a profound state of relaxation, which promotes physical and emotional healing. Reflexology stimulates blood and lymph circulation, which increases oxygen supply to the cells of the body. Reflexology helps the process of removing waste (uric acid) deposits in the body, thus improving the digestive and immune systems. Reflexology has a direct effect on the nervous system through stimuli of nerve receptors on the feet, hands and ears.


Remedial Reflexology is used as therapeutic treatment for a full range of stress responsible conditions related to circulatory, neurological, hormonal and reproductive, digestive problems, and immune problems such as hypertension, diabetes, muscle spasms, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and migraines. Reflexology is a "First Aid" in stress reduction and pain management.


No matter that we might still not know exactly “how” it works, research studies and anecdotal evidence give substance to the scope and efficacy of Reflexology. In addition, the effects of chronic stress on the body are long recognized, and stress management might be well the first line of defense to maintain our physical and emotional wellbeing.

WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY

WHAT IS CONDITIONED RESPONSE REFLEXOLOGY

Conditioned Response Reflexology (CRR) is based on "Pavlovian learning" or conditoning is "learned behavior"thorugh repetition and successfully used in psychiatry and physical therapy.


It combines two stimuli, Touch and Auditory Sensory Stimulation during “hands-on” sessions that include 'Controlled Breathing". Reflexology induces a profound state of relaxation and teaches people this breathing method during the session guided by sound.


Within four to six to weeks clients master this breathing method guided by sound and are able to invoke a  sponatanous relaxation response without being touched. They are able to manage labor pain and prenatal and postpartum concerns.

BRIEF HISTORY OF REFLEXOLOGY


There are as many definitions to explain reflexology, as there are reflexologists, and the Russian psychologist V.M.Bekterev (1857-1927) coined the word to explain his work in behavioral psychology.


In the east the history of reflexology can be traced from India, to China and then to Japan. One of the gods the Hindus worshipped was Vishnu, and one painting of his footprints has Sanskrit symbols in places where the modern day reflexologist would mark reflex points. Carvings of Buddha's footprints that were discovered in China and Japan depict similar renderings. It is speculated that merchants traveling the “silk route” that linked China with Europe introduced the knowledge of pressure points in Europe. There is evidence that pressure therapy was practiced by the working classes in the middle countries of Europe, as well as by those who catered to the diseases of Royalty and the upper classes.


The first use of the word “reflex” with reference to motor reactions was used in 1771 by a German physiologist Johann August Unzer. During the 1880’s the Neurological Society of London was formed and Marshall Hall, an English physiologist, introduced the concept and term “reflex action”. In the late 1890’s another doctor and member of this society, Sir Henry Head conducted pioneering work on the somatosensory system and sensory nerves, proving the neurological relationship between the skin and the internal organs.


The father of modern Reflexology is Dr. William Fitzgerald, an ear, nose, and throat surgeon from Connecticut, who promulgated "Zone Theory"after he discovered that pressure, when applied to certain points on the body could provide numbness and improve the functions of certain organs of the body. He designed a chart with longitudinal zones of the body and along with Dr. Edwin Bowers he wrote a book named “Zone therapy”.


It was in the 1930’s that Eunice Ingham (1889-1974) further developed foot reflexology through her research while she was working at the Osteopathic Hospital in St. Petersburg. She discovered that pressure applied to a specific reflex point on the foot could help to relieve pain. She published two well-known books “Stories the feet can tell”(1938) and “Stories the feet have told”(1963) and she promoted Reflexology into the mainstream as a healing modality.  

Zone theory - Reflexology, as we know it today began in the early years of the twentieth century by Dr.William Fitzgerald. (1872--1942). He developed the zone theory of the human body and discovered that pressure applied in one part of the body could anesthetize another.


Endorphin release theory - Endorphins are the body's natural opiates or painkillers, with actions similar to that of morphine. These are stimulated by pain and serve to reduce the amount of pain that we feel by inhibiting the activity of a neurotransmitter called substance P, which is thought to transmit pain. It is theorized that a Reflexology treatment stimulates the release of endorphins to help ease pain and to give the body the same natural elevation in mood as strong painkillers.


The Relaxation Effect According to the World Health Organization, 80% of illness is related to stress. No matter the cause, environmental, nutritional, social, family, or work-related stress, the effects eventually will take a toll on the body. A skilled reflexologist is able to relieve stress and promote deep relaxation. This enables the systems and organs in the body to work much more effectively, which helps to alleviates and prevent illness..

PRINCIPLES AND PHILOSOPHIES

On an average, a person will walk between 125,000 and 250.000 miles during his lifetime, the equivalent of four and a half times around the earth


Each   foot has over 7,200 nerve endings, 26 bones, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles. They are the force that drives our body into motion.


The bones of the feet constitute one quart of all the bones in our body. The joints allow them to bend, the muscles power their movement, and the nerves relay signals from the feet to the brain and the rest of the body.

THE EFFECT OF STRESS ON OUR HEALTH

One fifth of the western population has daily stress related symptoms


The body's natural defense mechanism is not effectively adapted at dealing with the chronic stress of modern life. Instead of protecting, it makes us vulnerable to serious health problems.


Stress triggers the body’s alarm system. This prompts the adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones, the most abundant being adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline increases our heart rate and elevates blood pressure. Cortisol increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, which affects the responses of our brain, and immune system. Stress constricts the blood vessels and circulation.


Fetal stress equals a lower body weight at birth, and affects the child's development, learning ability, as well as the increased risk for anxiety disorders.


Chronic stress can cause memory problems, increases the risk of depression and anxiety disorders, and even accelerate brain aging


Stress tends to suspend some of the regulatory processes, such as self-discipline.  

Random Studies of The Effect Of Reflexology On Your Health


Anxiety - A 2006 study published in "Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice" reported that individuals with anxiety found significant relief while receiving reflexology treatment. A 2011 study of the effect of reflexology on the autonomic nervous system by the The School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, UK, shows that Reflexology reduces anxiety and stress. The mechanism by which this occurs may be in modulating autonomic nervous system (ANS) function.


Headaches and Migraines - In a 1995 Danish study to find out if reflexology was an effective treatment for headaches, the results were: cured     16%, helped 65%, no benefit 18%. 75% of the participants stated that their general health had improved and 50% had an increase in their energy level, and had become better at preventing headaches. Reference:                                                                 "Headache and Reflexological Treatment" by E Brendsstrup & L Launso, publ. by the Council Concerning Alternative Treatment, the National Board of Health, Denmark, 1997.


Pregnancy - A 1988 study conducted by the Association of Reflexologists in London, England, showed that continual treatment during pregnancy reduced heartburn, hypertension, irritable uterus, and edema by 50 percent. In the study, reflexology was also used as an alternative to labor-stimulating drugs.


Phantom pain - A 2008 study published in "Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice" found that individuals with amputated lower limbs reported significant relief of phantom pain and impairment of activities when administered reflexology treatments.

"Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice"; Reflexology Treatment For Patients With Lower Limb Amputations and Phantom Limb Pain—An Exploratory Pilot Study; Christine Ann Brown, et al.; 2008


Cancer - A 2007 study published in "Oncology Nursing Forum" found that individuals with breast and lung cancers reported decreased pain and less anxiety when reflexology treatments were administered. Evidence also supports increased blood circulation. "Oncology Nursing Forum"; Partner-delivered reflexology: Effects on Cancer Pain and Anxiety.; N. L. Stephenson, et al.; 2007


Multiple Sclerosis - Reflexology improved significantly the mean scores of paraesthesia (abnormal sensations such as pins and needles), urinary symptoms, muscle strength and spasticity. Reference- Siev-Ner I, et al. Reflexology treatment relieves symptoms of multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled study.Multiple Sclerosis 2003; 9(4) 356-361

There are still mysteries about the exact workings of many holistic therapies such as reflexology and acupuncture. However, the workings of how anesthesia works is still a mystery as well, yet we know that they work. Most likely Reflexology works because of a combination of the theories mentioned above, and it may be many years before we acquire scientific evidence to this. Regardless of how and why it works, the effects are immediately noticeable and long lasting. Reflexology works and is a rescue to thousands of people.

Western Based Theories:


Proprioception theory is based on research done in the 1890s by two English neurologists, Sir Henry Head (1861-1940) and Sir Charles Sherrington (1861-1952), who won the Noble prize for his work  “The integrative action of the nervous system”.


Their research showed that there is a neurological relationship between the skin and the internal organs, and that the whole nervous system adjusts to a stimulus.

Eastern Philosophy


Eastern philosophy believes that reflexology is similar to acupuncture and shiatsu, stimulating the flow of Chi energy along the meridians (energy pathways in the body) bringing it back into energetic balance. Chi is the circulating life energy that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things. In traditional Chinese medicine the balance of negative and positive forms in the body is believed to be essential for good health


There are still mysteries about the exact workings of many holistic therapies such as reflexology and acupuncture. However, the workings of how anesthesia works is still a mystery as well, yet we know that they work. Most likely Reflexology works because of a combination of the theories mentioned above, and it may be many years before we acquire scientific evidence to this. Regardless of how and why it works, the effects are immediately noticeable and long lasting. Reflexology works and is a rescue to thousands of people.


REFERENCES:

F. Cervero. (1985). Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences. Nociception and Pain. 308(1136), 325-337.

Fitzgerald, Wm. H. and Edwin F. Bowers. (1918). Zone Therapy; or, Relieving Pain at Home. Columbus, O., I. W. Long. H. Head, (1893) On the disturbances of sensation, with special references to the pain of visceral disease. Brain. 16:1-133; 1894, 17: 339-480; 1896, 19: 153-276.

Stephenson, N. L. N., Swanson, M., Dalton, J., Keefe, F. J., & Engelke, M. (2007). Partner-Delivered Reflexology: Effects on Cancer Pain and Anxiety. Oncology Nursing Forum, 34(1), 127-132