Reflex therapy

Use this page to find out more about reflex therapy and physiotherapy:

Introduction

Reflex therapy is an umbrella term describing the variations of treatment approaches developed in Egypt, India and China whereby the body is topographically represented in the body's extremities. From a practical point of view, reflex therapy is a gentle, holistic, hands-on localised pressure applied to the feet, hands or head of a patient by a therapist in a systematic fashion relating to the needs of the individual.

Chartered physiotherapists have in-depth training in the skills of massage and manipulation and are therefore particularly suited to the skills and subtle approach of reflex therapy. The findings amongst chartered physiotherapists using the reflex therapy approach are that it appears to have an overall holistic benefit for the healing of the patient. The patient themselves report that they are highly satisfied with the effects of treatment.

Detail of egyptian hieroglyph from wall painting in the physician's tomb of Akhmabor at Saqqara The principle idea of reflexology is that the extremities have a topographic anatomical map providing a linkage from the extremity to the brain. As yet there is no randomised research attributed to this idea. However, Egyptian hieroglyphs do depict, and write of patient/therapist activity suggesting that touching the feet and hands will change the patient's health.

The holistic and in-depth nature of reflex therapy may also be attributed to the fact that the area which is stimulated during treatment is in direct relationship to those parts of the brain which control our emotional and physical responses. Reflex therapy is seen to enhance the health physically, mentally and emotionally both during and following a treatment with often lasting benefit.

With few exceptions there are almost no conditions in which reflex therapy cannot be useful. Whilst it may not always be able to 'cure', it can improve symptoms and general wellbeing.

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Conditions which can be relieved by reflex therapy

  • Acute conditions
  • Arthritic conditions - eg osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and spondylitis
  • Chronic conditions
  • Immune deficiency disorders - eg chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Mental health - eg depression and SAD
  • Migraine and headaches
  • Muscle and joint disorders
  • Neurological conditions - eg cerebral palsy, parkinson's disease and stroke
  • Paediatrics
  • Sports injuries
  • Stress-related conditions

and many more.

A visit to a chartered physiotherapist involves a thorough case history to consider the patient's general health. This may include an appropriate physical examination, including the feet. At this stage the chartered physiotherapist and patient will together discuss the goals, needs and agreed outcomes.

The patient will be made comfortable and warm in a lying or half lying position and the chartered physiotherapist will apply gentle pressure to the reflexes of the feet or hands. The head can also be treated, often used in terminal care or with the seriously ill or stressed patient. During the treatment session, the chartered physiotherapist will monitor any response and adapt accordingly. The treatment time will vary according to the condition requiring treatment and the overall health of the patient, lasting from a few minutes if seriously ill or if it is to be integrated with another modality, to 45 minutes for a more extensive and in-depth approach.

The frequency of sessions is governed by the individual - a few minutes on a daily basis may be more suitable for a child, the fragile or seriously ill than one of a longer duration. If there is no benefit following three sessions a review is carried out to assess the suitability of reflex therapy at this stage.

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Further information

Patients are individually assessed and all conditions are considered to ensure suitability. Members of the public can access reflex therapy by consulting a chartered physiotherapist who is a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Reflex Therapy (ACPIRT).

The ACPIRT is a clinical interest group of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. The Society recognises and accredits clinical interest groups that represent a distinct field of physiotherapy clinical practice that may be specific to a client group, a clinical area or a particular treatment approach.

For further information on reflex therapy or to access treatment, please contact:

Christine Jones - ACPIRT Honorary Chair
tel/fax 01926 401 071
cjones.msr@ukonline.co.uk

or

Christen Herbert - ACPIRT Honorary Secretary
tel 01517 222 793
christenherbert@christen.f9.co.uk

Midland School of Reflex Therapy website

Alternatively, see the Physio2u directory to locate a chartered physiotherapist in your area.

Recommended reading

If you would like to read about reflex therapy, ACPIRT recommends the following resources:

  • Evans, H & Jones, C (2000). 'Prenatal therapy, Metamorphosis and the Metamorphic Technique' in: Charman, R A (ed) Complementary Therapy for Physical Therapists, Butterworth & Heinemann, London, pages 162-170.
  • Jones, C (1995). 'Reflex Therapy' in: Dennis, M, Everett, T & Ricketts, E (ed) Physiotherapy in Mental Health, Butterworth & Heinemann, London, pages 264-274.
  • Oschman, J L (2000). 'Energy Medicine - the new paradigm' in: Charman, R A (ed) Complementary Therapy for Physical Therapists, Butterworth & Heinemann, London, pages 3-36.
  • Skellam, L & Smith Oliver, J (2000).'Reflex Therapy' in: Charman, R A (ed) Complementary Therapy for Physical Therapists, Butterworth & Heinemann, London, pages 186-195.
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