Reflexions- the Journal of Reflexology Research Project

Summer 2001

Editors Kevin and Barbara Kunz

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©2001 Kunz and Kunz All rights reserved including electronic transmission.

Feet in Space "Muscle atrophy and subsequent loss of muscle strength and functionality during space flight is a primary concern of NASA's. Loss of muscle functionality will jeopardize mission success and pose serious safety issues for crew member during a mission and upon return to earth. Previous work with humans has demonstrated that applications of pressure to the feet results in increased lower limb neuromuscular activation (Layne, et al., 1998). Muscle activation is a prerequisite for muscle contraction. We propose to apply pressure to the feet of hind limb suspended (HLS) rats to determine if the increased neuromuscular activation can attenuate the atrophy observed in the antigravity soleus muscle of the rat hind limb. Additionally, we will surgically implant electromyography electrodes in both the soleus and tibilalis anterior, of HLS rats to monitor the electrical activity induced as a consequence of foot pressure. Quantitative measures of overall muscle size and function (i. e. muscle weight, myofiber cross-sectional area, myofiber type, total muscle myosin, heavy chain isoform content and neuromuscular size/density and skeletal muscle collagen concentration and maturation) will be assessed after a 14 day period of HLS, to ascertain the efficacy of foot pressure muscle atrophy. For more information, see the UH Space Life Sciences website." ("Using Dynamic Foot Pressure as a Countermeasure to Muscle Atrophy," July 11, 2001 www.isso.uh.edu/postdoc/projects/layne.htm)

Reflexology in Hospice Care A reflexologist is a member of the interdisciplinary team approach to hospice care at Vancouver, British Columbia's Mountain Institution and its "Program of Care in a Correctional Setting." "This program is based on Holistic care. It deals with practical concerns like: effective pain and symptom control; living and dying at home, client and caregiver rights and responsibilities; ways to encourage open communication, and ways to improve overall care of the terminally ill and disable. … "Prisons are like small communities; prisoners are the families and support system for each other." (Correctional Services of Canada / Publications / Duo-Web Articles, "A Program of Care in a Correctional Setting," http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/pblct/duoweb/229/care_e.shtml)

Iowa Quick action by Patricia Barrance of Marion, Iowa and others provided prompt relief from the possibility of massage regulation of reflexology. When minutes from a recent state Board of Massage showed that Board members considered changes that would require the state's reflexologists to meet massage licensing qualifications to practice reflexology, reflexologists got on the agenda to present their objections at the September 4 Board meeting. Kunz and Kunz have provided what-to-do information gleaned from successful encounters in New Mexico and Texas. An agreement was reached and reflexology will not be included in massage regulation. Legislative action for a reflexology exemption in law at the January, 2002 session is under consideration.

Letter to the Editor "Thank you so much for the information about our Massage Therapy Board. I will be putting the form letters to good use this week. I plan on attending the meeting on the 4th along with Patricia Barrance. I have to thank you for all of your hard work you have done for all of us. Just got off the phone with Kay Thomas and she had talked with you earlier. She mentioned that you have been fighting for our rights for over 20 years. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Without your help we would not be doing our work this well. Sincerely, Marcia Lenning, Humboldt, Iowa"

Florida The Executive Director of the Florida Massage Therapy Board has requested examples of exemptions and exclusions from Dwight Byers, International Institute of Reflexology in St. Petersburg. Kunz and Kunz track such information and supplied the examples.

Tennessee A bill creating a registration system for Tennessee reflexologists has become law. Reflexologists are required to obtain 200 hours of reflexology training. "This bill would require an applicant for reflexology registration to demonstrate or do the following: (1) Certification by the American Reflexology Certification Board, the International Institute of Reflexology or completion of a 200 hour reflexology course; (2) That the applicant is at least 18 years of age; (3) Two character references; (4) That the applicant has not been convicted of a felony; and (5) Pay fees set by the division. … This bill would authorize reflexologists to hold themselves out as licensed certified reflexologists." Congratulations to Tennessee reflexologists for their efforts.

San Diego San Diego-area reflexologist Bobbi Warren continues work toward the goal of avoiding the placement of reflexology under Massage licensing requirements in the city of San Diego. A Task Force named by the City Council was unable to agree on a recommendation for Council action. A subcommittee of the City Council meets next to consider the issue. If included in massage licensing, reflexologists would be required to obtain a 1,000-hour massage education in order to practice in the city.

New Mexico A bill to exempt reflexology and health professionals from the massage practices was signed into law by Governor Gary Johnson in April. The bill passed the state House by a vote of 62-0 and the Senate by a vote of 25-0.

Kunz and Kaiser Institute Kevin Kunz has been named to the faculty of the Kaiser Institute (www.kaiser.net). The Brighton, Colorado-based Institute provides seminars in Integrative Medicine and Intuitive Healing to doctors, hospital administrators and the medical personnel. The June event in Santa Fe, New Mexico included 30 medical personnel.

My Reflexologists Says Feet Don't Lie The newly released title by Kevin and Barbara Kunz has spawned a discussion among members of the on-line Reflexology Community (http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/reflexologycommunity). The book includes full-color photos of feet and discussions their reflexological significance. Reflexology community members are posting digital photos of feet they have observed.

Book Signings Kunz and Kunz will present the book with signings at Whole Foods in Santa Fe on September 15; Natural Products East Expo in Washington, D. C. on October 13; and Barnes & Noble / Coronado Shopping Center in Albuquerque on October 31.

Hazardous Shoes Newsweek notes the perils of fashionable shoe wear. "Clogs: With no heel grip, they may cause calluses. Otherwise, cushy clogs are a sneaker-averse fashionista's best friend.; Dress: As surgeon/shoe designer Teryn Rose notes, foot pain is 'not an x-linked problem.' Most men's dress shoes have little arch support; stiff tops chafe skin. Diagnosis: bursitis, calluses, sore toes.; Platforms: Tokyo banned these retro shoes because they're bad for driving. They're it great for health either -heavy, stiff soles and towering heels can make for awful ankle sprains.; Pumps: Inflamed hip joints, ingrown toenails, lower-back pain, shrinking Achilles' tendons - the list of problems goes on and on. But hey, your legs will look great. Even if you can't walk.; Thongs: Doctors report a 15 percent rise in injures due to trendy flip-flops. Want to accessorize that cute pair at Bloomies? Try blisters, tendonitis, ankle sprains, and cracked skin." (Newsweek, "Gear: Summer Styles to Sweep You Off Your Feet," Aug. 20, 2001, p. 8

Media A political cartoon reprinted in Newsweek shows "Foot massage" to be the title of a book Vice-president Dick Cheney refers to as he rubs the feet of a seated Senator Hillary Clinton. In the background, one individual is saying to another, "Wow, the administration is serious about reaching out to Senate Democrats. (Luckovich, Atlanta Constitution, reprinted in "Perspectives," Newsweek, June 18, 2001, p. 17) … "Rub the webbing of your hand when you go into labor" is the on-air advice given by Regis Philbin to his co-host, Kelly on the day her baby is expected. ("Regis and Kelly Live," June 13, 2001)

 

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