Different Ways to Treat Diseases - Term Paper Example

Reflexology The association of human life with ailments is as old as humanity itself. Long before the advent of modern medicine, different civilizations had different ways to treat diseases. These treatment methods had their roots in the long held beliefs and cultural norms. One such method to counter ill health symptoms, now famous as reflexology, is believed to have emerged from ancient Egyptian civilizations in 2500 BC (Keet 2009). Reflexology, also known as zone therapy is a natural therapy that involves applying pressure on reflex areas of palms and soles to bring about a flow in energy and stimulate body’s natural healing process to relieve the symptoms of ill health. According to the theory of reflexology, different areas on the palms of hands and soles of feet correspond to various organs and glands of the body. Applying pressure on these reflex points stimulates the flow of energy. This creates a balance within the body and brings about a state of relaxation and peace of mind. In reflexology, the term reflex corresponds to ‘reflection’, and comes from the belief that these reflex areas are small mirrors that reflect the internal state of the body (Wills 2004). The oldest evidence of reflexology, dating back to 2500 BC is in the form of a painting that was found from the tomb of ancient Egyptian physician Ankmahar. This painting shows two people, one receiving a foot massage and the other getting a hand massage. Another belief that is particularly held for the reflexology techniques observed among North American Indians is that is that it originated from Incas civilization of ancient Peru in 12000 BC. In 1955, Dr. Henry Bressler published a book called ‘Zone Therapy’ after studying the effects of applying pressure on certain points on feet and its effects on internal organs of the body. He wrote about the use of reflexology techniques in middle Europe countries and also stated its use to date back to the 14th century. Nevertheless, the technique of reflexology came to be realized as a definitive form of healing and therapy when Dr. William Fitzgerald, an ear nose and throat specialist documented that applying pressure to one part of the body can block pain signals in another part of the body, away from where the pressure is applied. He performed various minor surgeries involving ear, nose, jaw, face, throat and shoulder using this technique, without the need of using anesthetics (Keet 2009). In 1917, Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Edwin Bowers published their work on reflexology in their book ‘Zone therapy’. It divides the body into ten equal longitudinal zones through an imaginary line running from the top of the head, down through the center of the body. Five equal zones on each side of the imaginary line end on the soles and palms. Zone one starts from the thumb, includes the arm, shoulder neck and the brain. Running downwards it moves straight towards the big toe. Zone two starts from index finger, running up to include the corresponding areas on the arm, shoulder, neck and brain, it moves down towards the second toe. The third zone starts from middle finger and includes the arm, shoulder, neck, brain and runs down towards the third toe. Zone four starts from the ring finger and includes arm shoulder neck and brain and runs down towards the fourth toe. Fifth zone starts from the little finger and extends up the arm to include shoulder, neck and brain and then down the body up to the fifth toe. Each zone includes the muscles and organs underlying its division. Dr. Fitzgerald also gave courses on reflexology and soon medical practitioners started adopting these techniques and incorporating them in their practice. The credit for the development of this pressure point technique from ‘zone therapy’ to ‘reflexology’ goes to Eunice Ingham, who is considered as ‘mother of reflexology’ by many (Keet 2009). She related the zones on feet to the anatomical structure of the body. She also documented the higher sensitivity of feet to respond to the therapy, which is why the therapy is usually carried out on feet. The Ingham technique of reflexology involves ‘thumb walking’, in which the thumb or the finger is bent and straightened while maintaining the pressure on the area of foot that is being worked upon. It is based on the belief that certain target areas on feet are more sensitive than others. The session lasts for about an hour and powder is used. This is a holistic approach of therapy and takes patients’ entire lifestyle into account. Eunice Ingham brought reflexology within the reach of common men, by simplifying it so that the people can use it to help themselves as well as others. She wrote two books on the subject, ‘Stories the Feet Can Tell’ and ‘Stories the Feet Have Told’. Another method of reflexology, particularly famous in Asia (China, Singapore, and Taiwan) is the Rwo Shur method. This method was developed by Father Joseph Eugster in Taiwan and focuses more on revitalization rather than relaxation. It can be quite painful as it involves firm pressure along with thumb sliding and uses knuckles and sometimes small wooden sticks. In contrast to Ingham method, it uses cream to allow rapid, efficient and flowing motion. The session lasts for about 30 minutes (Keet 2009). Further simplification in understanding and greater precision in locating different reflex areas was achieved in 1970, when Hanne Marquarett, a German reflexologist added three transverse lines in the ten longitudinal zone map on soles and a single transverse line on palms (Wills 2004). The three transverse lines on feet represent the shoulder girdle, the waist line and the pelvic girdle. The first transverse line on feet represents the area above the shoulder girdle, i.e. the head and the neck. The second transverse line corresponds to the structures at the level of waist i.e. chest and upper abdomen. Whereas the structures lying at the level of the pelvic girdle i.e. the lower abdomen and pelvis are represented on feet by the third transverse line. Hands have one transverse line only, which is equivalent to the second transverse line at the waist level. The structures above waist (head, neck, chest and upper abdomen) are represented on the hands above this transverse line whereas the area below this transverse line represents the area below waist line (lower abdomen and pelvis). This mapping provides better localization of viscera in different zones and more accuracy in identifying the pressure points corresponding to the organ systems giving rise to symptoms. The core concept of reflexology lies in the liberation of body’s vital energy to allow its free flow. Any blockage or interference with this flow of energy produces pain or other symptoms of abnormal functioning. By applying pressure on corresponding areas on hands or feet, the energy in those blocked areas is dissipated to restore the free flow. According to Dr. Jean Claude Mainguy, our bodies are governed by electromagnetic waves (Keet 2009). Interaction between the wave energy of our body and that of the various environmental factors causes imbalance in energy flow. This disturbance can manifest itself in the form of nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain and disturbances in sleep patterns. Thus, providing relaxation through reflexology is a powerful healing tool. Healing by reflexology does not merely mean to cure the sickness. Its spectrum is much broader and takes a holistic approach towards the improvement of health. It takes into account various factors, like patients’ lifestyle, diet, work pattern, stress factors and the total outlook on life. The energy blockades can be due to various factors, either known to the patients or affecting them subconsciously. Reflexology is a form of complementary medicine. In such cases, it is coupled with counseling to dig deep into the patients’ subconscious, reveal the problems causing the disturbances in the energy flow and counter them. Reflexology is most effective when done on soles. Feet being the farthest from heart are more prone to blood stasis and thus predisposed to deep vein thrombosis and formation of uric acid crystals. Massaging the reflex areas on feet gets the energy flowing and improves circulation. It stimulates the body’s own natural healing mechanism and thus strengthens the immune system. The improvement in circulation brings about effective removal of toxins and waste products from the body. Reflexology improves the symptoms of headache (migraine or tension). It has proved effective in controlling the fecal incontinence in children as well as in treating chronic constipation (Bishop et al 2003). Beijing International Reflexology Conference report (1996) documented 84% absolute success rate in alleviation of symptoms of gynecological problems (dysmenorrhea, cysts, pelvic inflammation, infertility, menstrual disorders, and endometriosis). Whereas the remaining 16% reported that the symptoms had almost disappeared with the use of reflexology therapy (Keet 2009). Reflexology, coupled with hypoglycemic agents helps achieve a better control of blood sugar levels than hypoglycemic agents alone. Reflexology is used as a part of palliative cancer therapy to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life (Hodgson 2000). Advances in anatomy and physiology and the understanding of neural pathway interactions of the nerve endings from different organs have contributed to the development of reflexology as it is now considered to be a definitive form of therapy with underlying scientific basis. Reflexology does not cure the diseases on its own; rather it provides a relaxation to the patient and helps them achieve a better mental and physical health and expects them to take the responsibility and take part in the therapy to bring about a positive change in overall health and thus helps attain a state of balance and deep relaxation (Cressy 2002). Works Cited 1. Bishop, E, E McKinnon, E Weir, and DW Brown. "Reflexology in the Management of Encopresis and Chronic Constipation." Paediatric Nursing. 15.3 (2003): 20-1. Print. 2. Cressy, Susan. Reflexology. Oxford: Heinemann, 2002. Print. 3. Hodgson, H. "Does Reflexology Impact on Cancer Patients' Quality of Life?" Nursing Standard (royal College of Nursing (great Britain) : 1987). 14.31 (2000): 19-25. Print. 4. Keet, Louise. The Reflexology Bible: The Definitive Guide to Pressure Point Healing. New York, NY: Sterling, 2009. Print 5. Wills, Pauline. The Reflexology Manual: An Easy-to-Use Guide to Treating the Body Through the Feet and Hands. London: Connections, 2004. Print Read More

 

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