Danny Davis
Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM, for short), such as reflexology, are not only for adults and hip twenty-somethings. Children can benefit, too. After all, yoga for kids, essential oils for kids, and more niche practices are rising in popularity.
While ‘acupuncture for kids’ has yet to become incredibly popular, reflexology offers a similar method, but without the needles that many kids might fear. Similar to acupuncture, reflexology works with reflex points that can be connected to other areas of both the physical and energetic bodies.
The methods of reflexology, if you are at all familiar, remain the same for children. If anything, the only difference would be in the amount of pressure applied as children typically do not find the intense reflex points as beneficial and rewarding as adults might.
Reflexology might be able to aid in alleviating stress, tension, and fatigue in young children. Contrary to what might be seen or assumed, children experience these sensations more often than adults might realize. Thanks to school demands, mental health conditions, pressure from peers, and the usual daunting steps of development, reflexology offers a relaxing, mindful gift to children.
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Who can benefit from reflexology?
Generally, any child experiencing some semblance of anxiety, exhaustion, or stress might benefit from reflexology. Of course, reflexology can only act as complementary medicine. So, another alternative or conventional treatment remains necessary.
Reflexology can induce deeper healing than conventional medicine as it works more with the subtle, energetic body than the physical body alone, but the physical body and mind still need proper attention.
Children who find themselves wound up and energized to the point of hyperactivity might be able to slow down a bit thanks to reflexology. As reflexology induces relaxation and aids in general mindfulness, hyperactive kids can slow down with this practice.
Over time, it might combat symptoms related to ADHD and ADD, which causes children to have difficulty focusing and expelling energy properly. When blended with other mindfulness or energetic movement practices, such as yoga or tai chi, children might see even more all-encompassing and long-lasting benefits.
Differently abled children might find ease through reflexology, too. Some social anxieties and nervous tendencies seem to dissipate over time, thanks to reflexology.
Autistic children, specifically, have been shown to heal their anxious tendencies through reflexology. When blended with equine therapy, for one example, these children can really see progress in their health and wellness.
Some other conditions and symptoms that reflexology might benefit include:
- Asthma
- Eye problems
- Earaches
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Sinus infections
- Teething for babies
What can you expect from reflexology?
In reflexology, children need only have their feet, hands, and ears bare for treatment. A professional reflexologist can guide them through the practice so that they can learn as they go.
If you are a parent or guardian considering sharing reflexology with your child, you might consider booking a session where you can be present, too. This allows them to feel a bit more at ease in their first meeting. As time goes on, they might feel more comfortable meeting with the reflexologist on their own. Prior to the first full session, consider booking a consultation to see if the reflexologist and practice will be the right fit for your child.
In a typical session, reflexology can be offered for up to an hour. With children, shorter sessions are more common.
Would you rather not meet with a professional? You can learn the methods of reflexology rather easily and share the practice with your child all on your own. This might be the route to take if your children are unfamiliar with or unsure of the complementary medicine practice.
Reflexology Foot Map – Pressure Points
Scientific Support
A 2000 study, from East Carolina University, showed that a thirty-minute reflexology treatment on patients undergoing treatment for breast or lung cancer offered positive results. Those receiving the treatment shared that they had lower anxiety levels in comparison to those who did not receive reflexology (Stephenson NL, et al., The effects of foot reflexology on anxiety and pain in patients with breast and lung cancer)
Another study, from 2014, had patients undergoing heart surgery receive twenty-minute reflexology treatments. Over the course of four days, they received reflexology one per day.
In comparison to those who did not receive reflexology, they seemed to have a more relaxed demeanor and were less likely to report symptoms related to anxiety (Masoumeh Bagheri-Nesami, et al., The effects of foot reflexology massage on anxiety and patients following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A randomized controlled trial).
Overall, the researchers involved concluded that the foot reflexology massage is a reliable and beneficial complementary therapy in the treatment and relief of anxiety.
What Research Shows About Reflexology
Although its roots can be traced back literally thousands of years, reflexology is a healing technique that has seen a significant increase in popularity in today’s world of medicine.
This holistic approach to healing bases its approach on the idea that there exist specific points on the feet, hands and ears that contain a direct link to certain vital organs and seemingly unrelated anatomical structures.
Using this connection, reflexology involves applying direct pressure to the three areas mentioned in an attempt to alleviate a variety of ailments in the corresponding body parts.
Given that this technique has only seen a somewhat recent resurgence in prevalence, many individuals question the overall theory, as well as the technique behind reflexology and its effectiveness.
As with most other topics, especially those entailing medical treatments, the research results regarding reflexology are significantly varied.
With that being said, this article will provide several examples of noted studies that support the use of this technique as a viable option for the relief of various health conditions.
The first study to be discussed is unique in that it was reportedly the first known scientific inquiry on the topic of reflexology. Researchers at the American Academy of Reflexology conducted a randomized controlled trial that included a group of women reporting adverse premenstrual symptoms (Randomized controlled study of premenstrual symptoms treated with ear, hand, and foot reflexology; Oleson T).
According to the results of this study, women receiving official reflexology treatment stated a significant decrease in their overall symptoms when compared to a control group.
In another study conducted at Michigan State University (Dr. Gwen Wyatt), researchers enlisted a group of women diagnosed with breast cancer who were receiving chemotherapy treatment. Subjects were divided into a group that received reflexology and a control group that did not receive this technique.
Several functional measures such as walking, climbing stairs and carrying objects were included to evaluate pre/post differences between these groups. This study concluded that the women who received reflexology treatment reported substantially less difficulty performing these tasks when compared to the group that did not receive these treatments.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition affecting nearly 1.5 million people in the United States alone. This ailment is characterized by the body’s immune system actively attacking multiple joints such as the fingers, wrist and knees.
Individuals suffering from this condition are subject to a wide array of symptoms including a severe deprivation of sleep quality.
In a randomized control study conducted at Gaziantep University, researchers recorded the improvements reported by subjects undergoing 6 weeks of reflexology compared to a control group.
Outcome measures included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as well as the Visual Analogue Scale. At the conclusion of this study, the group receiving reflexology treatment reported a significant decrease in pain, allowing improved sleep quality (The effects of reflexology on pain and sleep deprivation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial; Bakir E, et al).
One of the largest studies supporting the use of reflexology was conducted by University of Ulster (The Physiological and Biochemical Outcomes Associated with a Reflexology Treatment: A Systematic Review; Mc Cullough, et al).
A total of 17 research papers were included in a systematic review. These studies included a large number of health conditions such as cancer, heart failure, dementia, pregnancy and multiple sclerosis.
The conclusion drawn from this particular review was extremely notable. Across every health condition included, when psychological parameters such as stress and anxiety were measured, people receiving reflexology treatment experienced a greater reduction of these symptoms.
Researchers went on to correlate these psychological improvements with a more favorable disease outcome, prognosis and rehabilitation potential.
As we previously discussed, there is research available to support or refute virtually everything under the sun. Reflexology is a topic that many believe has little to no data to reinforce its efficacy. This article serves to challenge this notion and provide just a portion of the data available stating otherwise.
Reflexology FAQ
Reflexology is a somewhat unknown medical intervention in today’s society. Due to this general lack of knowledge, there are a significant amount of misconceptions regarding this technique. In this article, we will address a few questions commonly posed by individuals considering or currently receiving reflexology treatment.
Question #1: What The Heck Is Reflexology?
The concept of reflexology is almost entirely based on the idea that certain body parts such as the feet, hands and ears are directly connected to specific organs and seemingly unrelated anatomical regions.
Using this assumption, physical touch and various pressures are applied to these three aforementioned areas in an attempt to alleviate an ailment affecting the corresponding body part.
Question #2: What Does The Research Say About Reflexology?
Since we have already addressed that this technique is relatively obscure in the medical community, it makes sense that there is not a large body of research on the subject. As with all research questions, the information available both questions the validity as well as supports the effectiveness of reflexology.
It is fair to note that the majority of research available is deemed by critics to be of low quality. There is however several studies conducted on patients with diagnoses such as breast cancer and anxiety that support significant symptomatic relief. This is largely related to the belief that human touch in general tends to have a therapeutic effect on people in general.
Question #3: How Is Reflexology Different From Massage?
Given the fact that both of these techniques involve the application of direct pressure to the body, a common misconception is that they are basically the same thing. However, massage involves applying pressure to a region with the intention of directly relieving some form of ailment in the local area.
With massage, the areas subject to this technique can include virtually any area of the body. On the contrary, reflexology attempts to treat a different anatomical region than the area specifically manipulated. Furthermore, reflexology is limited to very specific body parts previously mentioned (feet, hands and ears).
Question #4: What Is The Intention Of Reflexology?
By applying pressure to certain body parts, practitioners of this technique seek to release built up toxins and pressure that may be present in the regions corresponding to the area being palpated. The reported benefits of this release include increased circulation, lymphatic drainage, increased nerve stimulation and relaxation of overactive muscle tissue.
Question #5: What Can I Expect During A Treatment Session?
As with any medical intervention, your first reflexology session will begin with gaining an overall idea of your medical history, areas causing you discomfort and goals you hope to accomplish regarding treatment. You will then be given ample time to ask any questions you may have regarding the specific treatment and overall purpose of the technique.
Afterwards, a normal treatment session will typically be performed for an hour or so. Due to the collection of the aforementioned health information, expect your first visit to by a little lengthier than sessions moving forward.
If you are interested in beginning a treatment protocol in this technique, there are likely questions you have that were not included in this brief discussion. As with virtually everything under the sun, a quick online search of said questions may provide additional insight.
Scheduling a meeting with an actual reflexologist is most likely the most efficacious method of securing more reliable information, if you have this option. The world of medicine is full of unique concepts and techniques that receive varying reviews from medical professionals and patients alike.
With any of these protocols, giving reflexology a try for yourself is always the best way to decide if it is right for you! Learn more about Reflexology in our free eCourse – Reflexology101
