Reflexology free essay sample

What ever the reason, in the United States, 36% of adults are using some form of CAM. When megavitamin therapy and prayer specifically for health reasons are included in the definition of CAM, that number rises to 62%. What is CAM? The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines complementary and alternative medicine as a group of diverse medical and health-care systems, practice and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. NCCAM classifies CAM therapies into five categories or domains: 1) alternative medical systems, or complete systems of therapy and practice; 2) mind-body interventions, or techniques designed to facilitate the minds effect on bodily functions and symptoms; 3) biologically-based systems, including herbalism; 4) manipulative and body-based methods, such as chiropractic and massage therapy; and 5) energy therapies. Alternative medical systems are as complex as conventional medicine. One example of alternative medical systems is Naturopathy, a system in which the body is encouraged to heal itself through changes in nutrition and lifestyle. We will write a custom essay sample on Reflexology or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Another example is Ayurveda, a system in which the body, mind and spirit are integrated to prevent or treat health problems. Mind-body medicine includes practices that encourage the mind to positively affect the body. Meditation is an example of mind-body medicine. Meditation is a practice which encourages the patient to clear his mind and focus inward. Creative therapy also falls into this category of treatment and includes art therapy and music therapy. Patients are encouraged to express their feelings and hopes through drawing, painting, singing or playing a usical instrument. Biologically based systems use natural substances to assist the body fight illness. This includes using herbs to treat various illnesses. Energy medicine involves the detection and manipulation of energy fields around the human body. It is used in a number of therapies, including Reiki, in which a practitioner is said to transmit energy to the patient through hands placed on or near the body, and Qi Gong, wh ich uses a series of breathing and movement exercises to heal and strengthen the chi, a Chinese interpretation of the bodys energy or life force. Manipulative and body-based methods involve physical manipulation of the body to help the patient relax and to ease various symptoms. Chiropractic and massage therapy are included in this category. Reflexology is also in this category. What is reflexology? Reflexology (sometimes called zone therapy) is a therapy in which the nerve endings primarily in the feet are stimulated by specific massage techniques to effect changes in another part of the body and thereby create health and help overcome disease. Reflexology therapeutically reduces stress and tension throughout the whole body. Consequently, blood and lymph circulation improves, nerve supply to the cells is improved, and the release of toxins from the body is increased. These physiological benefits facilitate improvement in the bodys assimilation of nutrients, elimination of wastes, and the functioning of its immune system. In general, reflexology facilitates optimum functioning of all the systems of the body. It is in these ways that reflexology supports the body in its process of healing itself and maintaining optimum health. Reflexology can be traced back to the birth of Christ. Its use is documented in Greece, Rome, the Orient, India and by Indians in North America. In Egypt, for example, there are hieroglyphs, dating back to 2500 BC, that depict hand and foot reflex zone therapy in the tomb of Ankmahor, who was known as the great physician. The theory behind reflexology is that when the reflexes are stimulated, the bodys natural electrical energy works along the nervous system to clear any blockages in the corresponding zones. A reflexology session appears to break up deposits (felt as a sandy or gritty area under the skin) which may interfere with this natural flow of the bodys energy. Manipulating specific reflexes removes stress, activating a parasympathetic response in the body to enable the disharmonies to be released by a physiological change in the body. With stress removed and circulation improved, the body is allowed to return to a state of homeostasis. Homeostasis is the automatic process that the body incorporates to bring it back to the normal state. For example, if the blood pressure is abnormal, the kidneys will secrete the enzyme rennin which is involved with blood pressure, and the hormone, erythropoietin that increases the rate of red blood cell production. The science of reflexology used today was founded in 1913 by Dr. William Fitzgerald, an American ear, nose and throat surgeon. He noticed that pressure on specific areas of the body produced an anaesthetizing effect on a related area. Developing his theory, he divided the body into ten equal zones which ended in the feet and hands. In the 1930s a massage therapist, Eunice Ingham, refined Dr. Fitzgeralds zones and developed what is known today as reflexology. She observed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrored congestion or tension in a related part of the body. Therefore, treating the areas of the feet could have a relaxing and healing effect on different organs and tissues inside the body. Reflexology is a complementary therapy. While it can be used as a beneficial treatment on its own, it can also be used in conjunction with other complementary and holistic therapies as well as with conventional medical care. Since reflexology is not recognized by law, no formal training is required to practice reflexology or call oneself a reflexologist. However, some nurses and massage therapists offer reflexology as part of their licensed practice. Some courses are accredited for continuing education for nurses and massage therapists. The most widely publicized training source is probably the International Institute of Reflexology, of St. Petersburg, Florida, which claims to have 25,000 members worldwide. Its Certified Member status requires 200 hours of instruction plus passage of written and practical tests. This certification process has neither legal nor medical recognition. As with any kind of medical treatment, there are potential dangers associated with reflexology. People with recent or healing fractures, unhealed wounds or active gout affecting the foot should avoid reflexology. Those suffering with osteoarthritis affecting the ankle or foot or severe circulation problems in the legs or feet, should seek medical consultation before starting reflexology. Some reflexology books list diabetes, heart disease or the presence of a pacemaker, unstable blood pressure, cancer, active infections, past episodes of fainting (syncope), mental illness, gallstones or kidney stones as illnesses that may be negatively affected by reflexology. However, there is limited scientific evidence that reflexology can affect these conditions. Pregnant women should consult their doctor before trying reflexology because it has been reported that rigorous stimulation of the feel can cause the uterus to contract. Reflexology should not delay diagnosis or treatment with more proven techniques or therapies. Our lives are becoming more stressful every day. With ever increasing levels of stress, it is important that we take more responsibility for our own health care needs.