Reflexology , also known as zone therapy , is an alternative medicine that involves applying pressure to the feet and hands with certain thumbs, fingers and hands without using oil or lotions. It is based on pseudoscientific zone systems and reflex areas that supposedly reflect the body image on the feet and hands, with the premise that the work affects physical changes in the body.
There is no convincing evidence that reflexology is effective for any medical condition.
Video Reflexology
Definisi
Cochrane Collaboration defines reflexology as follows: "Reflexology is a gentle manipulation or pressing on certain parts of the foot to produce effects elsewhere in the body."
Maps Reflexology
Medical use
Reviews from 2009 and 2011 have not found sufficient evidence to support the use of reflexology for any medical condition. A systematic review in 2009 from a randomized controlled trial concluded: "The best available evidence to date does not show conclusively that reflexology is an effective treatment for any medical condition."
In 2015 the Australian Government Health Department publishes a review of alternative therapies that seek to determine if any are eligible for health insurance coverage; Reflexology was one of the 17 evaluated therapies that found no clear evidence of effectiveness.
Mechanism
There is no consensus among reflexologists about how reflexology should work; The unifying theme is the idea that the area in the foot corresponds to the body area, and that by manipulating this one can improve health through a person's qi. Reflexologists divide the body into the same ten vertical zones, five on the right and five on the left. Concern has been raised by medical professionals who treat potentially serious diseases with reflexology, which have no proven efficacy, may delay the search for appropriate medical care.
Reflexologists argue that blockage of energy fields, invisible life force, or Qi, can prevent healing. Another principle of reflexology is the belief that practitioners can relieve stress and pain in other parts of the body through foot manipulation. One claimed explanation is that the pressure received in the foot can send signals that 'balance' the nervous system or release chemicals such as endorphins that reduce stress and pain. This hypothesis was rejected by the medical community, citing the lack of scientific evidence and proven disease germ theory.
Reflexology claims to manipulate energy (Qi) are not supported by science; there is no scientific evidence for the existence of life energy (Qi), 'energy balance', 'crystalline structure', or 'path' in the body.
In Trick or Treatment? The Alternative Medicine of the Court, Simon Singh stated that if the hands and feet "reflect" the internal organs, reflexology might be expected to explain how such "reflections" stem from Darwin's natural selection process; but Singh said there was no argument or evidence presented.
Rule
In the UK, reflexology is voluntarily coordinated by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Applicants must meet the Standard of Proficiency outlined by the Special Profession Council, but because CNHC is voluntary, anyone practicing can describe themselves as reflexologists. When CNHC began to recognize reflexologically, a skeptic searched for and found 14 of them claimed efficacy on the disease. Once mentioned, CNHC has a claim revoked as it is against the British Advertising Standards Code code.
Reflexology is one of the most widely used alternative therapies in Denmark. A national survey from 2005 showed that 21.4% of the Danish population had used reflexology at some point in life and 6.1% had used reflexology in the previous year. A Norwegian study showed that 5.6% of the population of Norway in 2007 had used reflexology in the past 12 months.
History
Practices that resemble reflexology may have existed in earlier periods of history. Similar practices have been documented in Chinese and Egyptian history. Reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1913 by William H. Fitzgerald, M.D. (1872-1942), a specialist ear, nose, and throat, and Edwin F. Bowers. Fitzgerald claims that applying pressure has an anesthetic effect on other areas of the body. It was modified in the 1930s and 1940s by Eunice D. Ingham (1889-1974), a nurse and physiotherapist. Ingham claims that the legs and arms are very sensitive, and map the whole body into "reflexes" in the legs, renaming the reflexology "zone therapy". "Modern reflexologists use the Ingham method, or similar techniques developed by reflexologist Laura Norman."
See also
- Foot massage
- Acupressure
- Acupuncture
- Alternative medicine
- Auriculotherapy
- Kwongan
Note
External links
- Barrett, Stephen (2004-09-25). "Reflexology: Up close". Quackwatch . Retrieved 2011-03-14 .
- Carroll, Robert Todd (2007-10-03). "Skeptics Dictionary: Definition of Reflexology" . Retrieved 2011-03-14 . Dunning, Brian (January 28, 2007). "Skeptoid # 24: Reflexology: Only Harmful If You Use It". Skeptoid . Retrieved June 22 2017 .
- AQTN (2013). "Reflexology in scientific literature - unbiased compilation" (PDF) . Ã,
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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