As a Therapeutic Reflexologist, I have a special interest in Medical Reflexology, but what is that? Medical Reflexology is therapeutic reflexology performed in combination with medical treatment as a complementary healthcare modality. In today’s post, medical reflexology will be considered.
Legislation
Let’s make a distinction first between therapeutic reflexology and medical care. Therapeutic Reflexology and other allied healthcare modalities like chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy and so forth, are recognised healthcare modalities in South Africa formally regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) in terms of the Allied Health Professions Act (Act 63 of 1982). Medical, Dental and Supplementary Health professions like physiotherapy, psychology, optometry, podiatry and so forth are regulated by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in terms of the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974 as amended).
Working of Therapeutic Reflexology
With this in mind, it is obvious that Therapeutic Reflexology is a professionally regulated profession in South Africa and as such these therapists function within scope of practice, just like any other regulated healthcare profession in the country. From the scope of practice, it is clear that Therapeutic Reflexologists are therapists and not diagnostic practitioners, thus we are not able to make a diagnosis, but we are able to treat any pre-diagnosed condition.
When it comes to the working of Therapeutic Reflexology, it is not the pressing on a certain part of the foot that causes healing, but instead, it is the stimulation of the reflexes (nerve endings) on the feet (and sometimes other body parts like the hands, face and ears) that causes the body to relax, improve circulation, excrete chemicals like endorphins and elimination of toxins that help the body to be in a relaxed and optimum state to heal itself, or at least attempt to balance itself. It is thus not the Therapeutic Reflexologist pressing on your foot that causes healing, but instead, it is your own body doing the healing or balancing; the Therapeutic Reflexologist is only the therapist setting the scene for your body to do the work.
Complementary Healthcare
Therapeutic Reflexology is a complementary healthcare modality and as such regulated by the AHPCSA. This means that Therapeutic Reflexology is not a replacement for medical care, but complementary to it.
There are some therapists and information on the internet trying to portray reflexology as a replacement for medical care, but that is an irresponsible and misguided view being portrayed by some. The reality is that Therapeutic Reflexology is a non-diagnostic profession, so firstly, your illness condition cannot be diagnosed through reflexology and that in itself should give an indication that Therapeutic Reflexology is not a replacement for medical care. You need to visit a diagnostic practitioner like a medical doctor, homeopath, naturopath and so forth in order to be diagnosed. Therapeutic Reflexology can offer therapy for you once you have been diagnosed by a diagnostic practitioner.
Therapeutic Reflexology can also not replace your medication and no Therapeutic Reflexologist has the ability, education or right to inform you to stop using medication. You should always continue using your prescribed medication and if you want to stop using any medication, please do so in consultation with the doctor that prescribed it for you in the first place. Never be misguided to stop using your prescribed medication; always get medical advice.
Therapeutic Reflexology is complementary to your medical treatment, because once you have been diagnosed by a doctor, the Therapeutic Reflexologist may provide you with supportive therapy to help your body balance itself. Therapeutic Reflexology is also very effective in helping your body get rid of unwanted toxins and chemicals, but at the same time increasing circulation in the body, thus it may actually assist your body to use your prescribed medication more effectively.
Medical Supportive Therapy
Therapeutic Reflexology may assist as supportive therapy alongside your medical treatment in numerous ways without negatively affecting medical treatment or medication. It should be noted that each person reacts differently to Therapeutic Reflexology, but based on past results from the inclusion of this healthcare modality into the treatment regimen, the following possible assistance may be offered alongside your medical treatment:
- Anaesthesiology – Therapeutic Reflexology in the Western world emerged from medical doctors that saw an anesthesiological effect on patients; not sure if I’ll go so far with Therapeutic Reflexology today, but it has been known to assist with pain relief and calming of patients during dental procedures or even certain smaller medical procedures;
- Cardiology – Chest pains may be alleviated as Therapeutic Reflexologist is known for pain relief;
- Dentistry – Calming of patients before, during and after dental procedures may be addressed;
- Emergency Medicine– Post Traumatic Stress may be addressed through physical therapy on the reflexes on the feet;
- Family Medicine– Adolescent Stress Management, Adult Stress Management and stress management of the whole family may be addressed;
- Gastroenterology – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or spastic colon may have positive results;
- General Practice – Management of chronic conditions like Diabetes, High Cholesterol and Hypertension may be addressed;
- Gynaecology– Endometriosis may be addressed with pain relief possibilities;
- Men’s Health– Erectile dysfunction and low libido may be addressed as Therapeutic Reflexology increases circulation in the body;
- Neurology– Headaches, Insomnia, Neuropathy in hands and/or feet, Parkinson’s, Shaking, Tremors may be addressed as Therapeutic Reflexology is known for pain relief, increases circulation and works directly on the reflexes (nerve endings);
- Obstetrics– Labour may be induced by Therapeutic Reflexology in the last weeks of pregnancy as there are numerous results available indicating positive results in this instance helping a pregnant woman to give normal birth instead of having to undergo a caesarean section;
- Oncology– Cancer and Chemotherapy Side-Effects may be alleviated as Therapeutic Reflexology assist the body to get rid of toxins and chemical build-up in the body, thus with the possibility of improving quality of life;
- Otorhinolaryngology– Eye problems (dry, scratchy, teary), Postnasal drip, Sinus problems, Sore throat may be addressed;
- Paediatrics– Children and Teenager Pain Management may be addressed as Therapeutic Reflexology is known for pain relief;
- Preventative Healthcare– Stress Relief and Relaxation is paramount to Therapeutic Reflexology treatment;
- Psychiatry– Psychosomatic Conditions may be addressed through non-invasive, physical therapy on the feet;
- Psychology– Emotional Health may be addressed as Traditional Chinese Medicine principles used in Therapeutic Reflexology acknowledges the link between the physical body and treatment on the body and the relating emotional response;
- Surgery – Post-operative care may be possible through Therapeutic Reflexology as it may assist with pain relief, getting rid of excess chemicals like anaesthesiology still in the body and relaxes the patient so the healing process can be optimised;
- Wellness– Holistic Health and Wellbeing Enhancement is addressed as Therapeutic Reflexology may improve the quality of life; and
- Women’s Health– Infertility as Therapeutic Reflexology is known for assistance with infertility with numerous available research and case studies on the topic.
Conclusion
There are no guarantees with Therapeutic Reflexology, just like there are no guarantees with any other healthcare or medical treatment. Every person reacts differently to therapeutic reflexology, but it is a very non-invasive therapy that may assist your body to function more optimally by healing or at least balancing itself. Therapeutic Reflexology is also not a once-off quick fix; it is unrealistic to expect one treatment to resolve matters you have been dealing with for an extended period of time. Give Therapeutic Reflexology a realistic chance, just like you have done with other healthcare modalities like your medicine, your doctors, your physiotherapists and so forth.
Therapeutic Reflexology is one of the best healthcare modalities to use to reduce stress and to increase relaxation and since stress is the cause of numerous illness condition and the reason others are worsened, it may be worthwhile to consider including this modality in your treatment regimen.
Therapeutic Reflexologist is professionally trained, registered and regulated and therefore can work closely alongside any of your other medical and healthcare professionals in a multi-disciplinary team.
Never hesitate to contact a Therapeutic Reflexologist to include this non-invasive therapy alongside your other medical and healthcare treatments or to obtain additional information.
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Christo A. Scheepers: Therapeutic Reflexologist
Dip.T.R.(Cum Laude) [IARAMT]
AHPCSA: A11945
Pr. No.: 1080000737453
Tel. 072-800 7243