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Reflexology use within medical care has increased. Recent reports include use in areas of birthing, obstetric care, gynecological services, post surgical care, intensive care, palliative care and patient support.
Nurses and midwives utilize reflexology for birthing and complications of birthing. Reflexology can be used "to increase strength of contractions, to calm down contractions if they're extremely painful or to regulate them if the muscles of the womb are not working harmoniously" (www.babyworld.co.uk/information/birth/pain_relief/complementary_therapies.asp) It is reported that labor can be induced by reflexology more effectively than rupturing the membranes and the length of labor can be shortened with the patients frequently sleeping between contractions. Reflexology is seen an excellent way to deal with many problems including to help expel the retained placenta and to help relieve urinary retention after delivery. Such results are reported at the Reflexology Department of the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, Ireland Started in 1995 following demands by doctors, patients and midwife practitioners, all now find reflexology use totally positive and the benefits enormous. Reflexology uses include obstetric and gynecological, pre and post natal depression, endometritis, and PMS. Reflexology is also used in various other departments at the hospital by at least 50 of the staff who are trained reflexologists.
It has been found that reflexology is an ideal therapy for use in Intensive Care Units or immediately after surgery at the Columbia Integrative Medicine Program of the Columbia University Department of Surgery, Complementary Medicine Services,. It leaves the more sensitive parts of the body undisturbed.
Reflexology is a part of the "complementary medicine" program in the cardiac surgery service at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. "Massage and reflexology&emdash;Both of these therapies are popular among patients in the program and nearly 60% of patients entering the CM (complementary medicine) use them." The inclusion of complementary medicine has been "Patient-driven"&emdash; many of the cardiac patients had already explored or used complementary therapies. "In addition, as allopathic clinicians, physicians felt that the emotional, palliative, and/or preventive carte requested by patients were areas that surgeons were not well trained to provide." Some 60% of the 1400 cardiac care unit patients yearly choose to participate in complementary medicine. Center co-founder Dr. Mehmet Oz notes "'Part of the goal of the center is not to advocate all these therapies. I don't know what reflexology does to people after open-heart surgery, but I am going to find out.'
Reflexology classes are being made available for patient support, educating the patient to do things for themselves that will be helpful. Reflexology classes for incontinence at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Southpoint Hospital in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and Avera Queen of Peace Hospital's Wellness Center in South Dakota teaches classes in reflexology.
A study of reflexology and low back pain has finished at The Centre for Research in Health Care in Liverpool pursues high quality research for health care outcomes for local populations.
From concerned family members and volunteers to paid professionals and institutions, the providing of reflexology services has grown to meet hospice goals across the United Kingdom: providing dignity, choices and control for each patient and family. Specific aims for reflexology work include: improving quality of life, coping with life-threatening illness, providing comfort, enhancing sense of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, achieving symptom control, and alleviating symptoms of pain and anxiety.
Reflexology is included at complementary therapy centers within cancer units at Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital, Harley Street Clinic, and Lister Hospital. The cancer support group Cancer BACUP Cancer Support Service and the Hampshire County Council Cancer Care Society provide reflexology services, information and/or referral to reflexologists.
A study reported in the American Cancer Society Journal (August 15, 1998) found that one-third of cancer patients used reflexology as an alternative medical approach. Reflexology is available to complement medical care for patients at The Herbert Irving Cancer Center at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City
Foot and hand models find their professions somewhat by happen chance. At least that's what Sarah Clive told us during a July photo shoot in London for Reflexology to be published by DK Publishers in spring 2003. Hand model and actress Sarah began her career by answering an advertisement and has continued ever since. One memorable job had her petting a lynx cub. We found out that modeling is work. Foot model Amanda Wright works for two and a half hours the day before a shoot to prepare her feet. On the way to a shoot she wears flip flops to make sure her feet do not bear any possible marks made by shoes. Preparations continue at the shoot with last minute nail polish, manicure and pedicure touch ups as well as the application of make-up to feet. The models' preparations are appreciated by the five-member crew. A photographer, her assistant and at least three staff members from publisher DK have been planning for months to see that camera, film, studio, background colors and plans for specific pictures are prepared. After all, organization is necessary for the 2000 photos to be shot and catalogued.
Even though only feet and hands are the focus of the photographer, both models wear the clothing specified - casual white shirt and pants. If by chance clothing is included in a photo, white will blend in more easily. Casual is important because of the models' positioning. Foot model Amanda will spend much of her time lying on cushions on the floor covered by cloth to eliminate her body from any picture. Hand model Sarah will sit, stand, lay down and generally bend to meet the demands of placing her hands in the correct position on the foot as well as moving herself out of the picture. Both models realize that holding one's position for a prolonged time is needed once the feet and hands have come into the camera's focus as the photographer works to snap Polaroids and measure light to make sure the final photo will be the best possible.
Additional models provided examples of male hands and feet, children's feet, baby feet and older feet. The adults are all represented by modeling agencies but also answer calls. Baby model six-month old Sebastion finds it all fun and games - just what the crew wants as they cajole him into having hands on his feet and hands while he is stationery.
Our jobs as technical consultants - making sure the techniques are appropriately depicted - are definitely easy compared to the life of models, photographers and others at a shoot.
Constance Eyre of London, Ontario died recently of tongue cancer. As the president of the London Reflexology Association, her effervescent personality always created a warm atmosphere for member reflexologists.
Avon ladies known for the make-up they sell are now providing consumers with the company's reflexology socks and gloves. Both depict reflex area charts.
Emmy award nominees now have the opportunity to prepare for the event by getting their teeth whitened while foot and hand reflexology is applied. A Los Angeles area dentist has teamed up with a spa to provide the at-home services, complete with the arrival of the service providers in a a SUV (Smile Utility Vehicle) that also carries service enhancers, flowers, scented candles and a DVD headset for the clients' viewing of movies.
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