Power of intention/sympathetic resonance and specific reflex routines

I am waiting for more information about results in future studies before I get excited about this aspect of reflexology - the original 'trial' for RLD used 6 subjects.

I am an MLD practitioner - I am also a massage and reflexology therapist. Any form of gentle touch therapy has an effect on improving lymph drainage - and also the non-clinical 'nurture' aspect of treatment with comp therapies has a direct effect - I wonder if this was incorporated into the equation?

I often use reflexology on new clients (who have lymphoedema) as a way of getting to know them and for them to get to know me. All touch until that time has generally been invasive or indirect - I use reflexology to break down that barrier. I have never measured before and after results with reflexology, but do with MLD sometimes - but I can usually feel and see the changes happening as I work on the limb.

I think if I told some of my clients that I was now going to treat their feet to reduce their lymphoedema they would hate me - by treating the affected area directly it does so much more than simple volume reduction - touch is the main benefit for all of them - some won't even touch themselves - nor will they look at themselves in the mirror - it's a huge privilege for me when they allow me to treat them.

I would not want to train in RLD without first having a background in MLD. Plus - just one day training????

Hi Sarah

For MLD you start from the top of the body and work down the body whilst manually flushing the lymphatic system as you go, but if we switch into healing mode, then rather than manually draining the body of lymph which is what MLD is designed to do, we would have to encourage the body to re-harmonise or balance its immune and circulatory systems so that it does it for itself, or if a healer did not understand the mechanics of the body, they would just go for a general balance and heal.

Whilst this could be applied through the feet, I am not aware of any mechanical means of creating the effects of MLD within the body, by doing it on the feet as a direct substitute to MLD, it would all be intentional healing, rather than a mechanical process, IMO this is where the teaching of reflexology as a mechanical process falls down.

Having qualified in reflexology earlier this year, I've been doing lots of reading of the hp archives, especially about the differing footcharts/theories (which had been bothering me). I am fascinated by the views of some on here (e.g. Reiki Pixie and Paul Crick) who assert that reflexology is a healing art, working through the power of intention/sympathetic resonance. This theory seems to me really refreshing and sensible, and I feel offers the best explanation of how reflexology works. Does anyone know of any articles/books that accept and explore this particular idea?

But one thing still bothers me: in relation to this view of how reflexology works, do you think these concepts are sufficient to explain specific reflex routines aimed at addressing particular physical problems? An example of such a routine would be Sally Kay's RLD: <a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://www.reflexologylymphdrainage.co.uk/ "> http://www.reflexologylymphdrainage.co.uk/ ), which uses a defined set of reflex moves to demonstrably (literally measuring the limb before and after) reduce lymphoedema.

Many thanks for any insights you can give.

Sarah X

Hi Sarah, glad you find such theories a refreshing change. For myself I wished to promote such ideas as I've been unhappy with the present state of how reflexology is taught and propagated, how my (own biased experience) suggested other ideas, mainly from a massage, energy healing, oriental medicine point of view. The "crystal" theory and palpatory evaluation based on idealised A&P maps can send reflexologists into fights of fantasies if not tooooo careful.

Here's something to research, Tom Myers work on Anatomy Trains or Myofascial Meridians. Understanding connective tissue helps to fill the gaps in holistic therapies and medicine. Two aspects of connective tissue to consider: 1/ it binds the "whole" body together, 2/ acts as communication system, where different connective tissue have different electrical transmission times (like the nervous system). "Conduits" for communication.

As for the research on RLD. Interesting stuff but as JTH says too small a group (n=6) to be conclusive, and as stated very clearly on the RLD website research page. Still, a good start and foundation for further research. As for intention/sympathetic resonance involved in such a process; it always has an input in all therapeutic techniques, whether touch, faith in god/deity, surgical, drugs, energetic or sticking acupuncture needles in. Regardless of therapy (from subtle to physical) it often boils down to: is this appropriate, and/or does it float yer boat?!

One thing to consider is that the mind and body are not disconnected entities. This duality is only relativity recent in human thinking and without going into a long intellectual essay, is mistaken. It has promoted the idea of separation with ourselves and others. After all isn't that is one reason that holistic/complementary therapies have become popular?! 😉

Hi Sarah,
After 23 years of working as a reflexologist on many 1000s of feet and much training in differing styles/techniques, I have to say that healing intention alone is no way enough to fully explain the results that can be obtained by reflexology. Likewise when I have treatments myself I become too aware of specific reactions in my own body to give such a simple explanation for them. The textures found in the feet really cannot be dismissed - I'm not just talking about the notorious 'crystals' either. I could give so many examples e.g. Lumps throughout the colon reflex - yes they are representative of faeces & the bowels will move if the colon reflex is massaged, and then the lumps will move as the faeces do. Weird but true!

Now note that I'm not saying that healing intention is not enough in itself to get a wonderful response - it surely is.

However to my mind the most effective reflexology is a wonderful combination of ancient healing arts plus a modern science based understanding of how the body functions and what pressure/techniques we reflexologists can apply best for any particular problem.
I find the Tom Myers myofascial research fascinating but in itself not enough to explain the textures such as I mentioned above. There are reflexologists such as Dr Jesus Manzanares (also a medical doctor) who are doing clinical studies into the deposits found in the feet.
If you are interested in research into reflexology (as the RLD research is just the tip of the iceberg) look here:
[url]Reflex Science -*researching reflexology - Reflexscience Home[/url]
and here Home
And if anyone is interested in a group which includes many reflexologists who think we owe it to ourselves our profession and our clients to find as many possible scientific explanations for how & why reflexology works, take a look at this facebook group: Reflexologist FB World Count Group.

All the best,
Angela

Unfortunately Reflexology has been tested scientifically and found wanting, scientifically there are no physiological connections between the feet and all the various systems of the body that the feet are supposed to represent and trigger, which will change depending on which reflexology map someone is using.

Let us be real here, if reflexology was a physiological process, then a robotic arm could be programmed to perform it and the results would be identical to any reflexologist who had been taught to perform the same reflexology routine in the same fashion, there would be no difference between one reflexologist and the next, they would all be utilising the same pathways to create exactly the same responses and changes.

Hi Angela

I don't think there is one specific theory that supports reflexology, though myofascia knowledge does help to bind ideas together (and yes that was a deliberate pun 😀 ).

Nether either underestimate the power of ritual on the human mind and therefore the body. Whether it's the anatomical foot chart on the wall, or the shaman extracting bad energy out of the body and sticking it into a orange to be symbolically buried in the ground (and no I didn't make that up, it happened to me recently 😉 ), or the hospital consultant performing in the theatre.

I have no doubt that there are medically intuitive healers that feel issues within (or without) their clients. Isn't that really a form of dowsing?? Instead of a pendulum or rod, it's microsensitivity of the fingers given whole body responses via the nerve system. That would explain why reflexology therapists all claim that they have "found this and that" but there are so many variations of charts and techniques. This comes down to belief and intention!!

Almost all complementary medicine has been 'tried & found wanting' by western science, notably and repeatedly acupuncture.
However just because current western methodology cannot explain it, should we dismiss the billions of chinese (a fifth of the world's population) who have used it for millennia as deluded or wrong? Should we also dismiss their entire culture and science as nonsense because it is based on chi which the West cannot (yet) explain? sadly I see that attitude as a form of western arrogance.

Scientists once thought the earth was flat. They once gave credence to phrenology. Doctors once used leeches.
Things move on.
Thankfully there are enough intellectually curious yet scientifically rigorous people such as Tom Myers to counteract the 'If western scientists haven't proved it, it cant possibly exist' closed mind school of thought.

Heres to the future and the wonderful discoveries yet to be made. Happy 2014

Hi Angela

Yes I agree, it will remain that way until western medical science chooses to look beyond what they can physically see and what they can chemically concoct, most therapies and healing work in a completely different way to medical science, whenever they are forced to adapt to become more acceptable to medical science, something is always lost in the process. 😉

you're talking healing foot massage not reflexology

A rather long reply to Sarah's original question,:)

A good reflexologist considers that everything in the foot is a reflex to something but exactly precisely what is of secondary importance to the treatment that those reflexes need to be given in order to systemically rebalance the body.

It is unfortunate therefore that poor teachers & those who dabble in reflexology get Way too hung up on charts which are all pretty crude when you consider the complexities of the human body. Variations in them I admit can be annoying & frustrating but ultimately aren't that important. They are simply a basic guide to how to begin to learn how to assess the feet. Likewise the simplistic sequence by rote students tend to be taught - its an introduction for a novice thats all,

Experienced reflexologists should be informed far more by the the following observations of the feet than any chart:

incorrect alignment of the feet at presentation,
levels of tension in the joints,
variation in skin coloring throughout the feet,
degree of dryness or moisture at differing points,
variations of heat and cold in different areas,
speed & depth of chi pulses in the feet,
resistance to pressure throughout the feet,
condition of acupressure points in the feet
speed & depth of cranial fluid movement in the spinal cord reflexes,
abnormal bone growth such as bunions & arthritis,
site of verrucas, callouses etc
height of all feet arches.
puffiness, cracked skin & broken veins,
deep grooves in the skin,
And I haven't yet mentioned that you will also evaluate the myriad of textures found beneath the skin!

Finally you will decide how long to spend on each reflex, which if any sequence to use, and whether to use any of the advanced techniques you will have studied in order to enhance your ability to address imbalances in those reflexes.

The important thing is to use experience & sensitivity to vary your treatment according to what your eyes & fingers tell you.
(Hmm, not quite the same as a mechanical arm, Paul).

Of course reflexology also uses healing energy as well, whoever said it didn't?
But In conclusion is reflexology just an exchange of healing intent alone? No No & No. In that case you're just talking about a healing foot massage, and wonderful as that may be its not reflexology, Oh no it isnt, No way! so please don't mislead potential clients by calling it that cos its not!!

And If anybody wants a fight about it I'll send you my address 😉

So a good reflexologist takes into account many such signs, but the interpret does vary within the different paradigms that are and can be used, whether it's Western, TCM or Ayurvedic or any other. Typical example is TCM point Liver 3 (not to be confused with the liver reflex) located in the groove between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals on both feet. TCM practitioner may decide that the tenderness of this point may indicate emotional or Qi disruption, may be anger, PMT emotional upset, headaches, liver yang rising etc. A reflexologist may interpret this same point as a blockage in the lymphatic system or problem in the chest. So which one is it?

I would answer that by saying that it isn't conclusive enough and have to take many other factors into account and look at the bigger picture. I said that many a time on many a thread on Hp. So yes you are right about it's more to it than a foot chart.

And don't forget that in the title of this thread is Sympathetic Resonance, and it's feeling them lumps and bumps that help to achieve this. When a client goes into SR, brainwaves slow down (to alpha then theta), the nervous & hormonal systems and those subtle tides balance out creating optimum conditions for the body to self-heal.

You need to add empathy to your list, empathy will help a reflexologist get a handle on what they are sensing or perceiving on the feet, hands or ears as they work them in their own body, it will also help them to discern any changes that occur, so that they can adjust the session to suit the requirements of the person who is on the receiving end of their administrations.

Food for thought, have you tried remote reflexology, when the feet are not in front of you to see or feel, yet the reflexology will happen just the same???

yes of course Paul, empathy is a priority.
I haven't tried remote reflexology & don't believe I've ever heard any other reflexologist mention it. I'll try asking!

Re: SR, sorry I should've said in my last post - I think it is a major part of one way in which reflexology can work. However I've given (and received!) too many successful treatments which have used deep & quite painful pressure and the person has barely relaxed at all. In fact I often use that method when previous treatments for the same problem when the client has been deeply relaxed have not had a noticeable effect.
Likewise VRT which is amazingly effective (and is given when the client is standing) can in no way be a response to SR. I believe myofascial binding to probably be responsible for that.

So no I cant say that I think that reflexology is solely a healing art working through power of intention/SR. Its one aspect of it but theres so much more to it than that.

As far as paradigms are concerned, of course many reflexologists choose to work within differing ones, or use aspects of many. In reflexology our hands & eyes should be our diagnostic tools not the terminology we use to describe what they may tell us. Therefore the parameters in which we seek guidance can be boundless. (And of course dont forget we must never formally diagnose anyway!). Primarily we work to rebalance the whole person not to treat the disease, and the words we use to describe what we are feeling or the paradigm in which we work is of secondary importance.

Reflexology should be very simple we don't need complicate it. Its goal is to rebalance the body thats all.
Call it lymph congestion? liver yang rising? personally its irrelevant to me.

If the reflex is too cold, heat it up, if the area is congested decongest it, if the muscle is too tense, relax it, if a joint is too stiff release it, if a pulse is too weak strengthen it. if you feel a build up, break it down, & so on & so forth (using empathy of course Paul)
If you want to look within a paradigm to analyse why those things are happening - all very interesting and if you understand the paradigm enough (!) helpful, but thats not your primary goal.

Finally RP I do appreciate all the input from you & others such as Paul over the years. The range of your knowledge is inspirational and your patience in repeating stuff truly admirable. Big Hug to both of you.

An interesting documentary on resonance, it's importance, how is effects health, Schumann resonance and brain waves.

RP

Many thanks for all the interesting replies, stimulating discussion, and the link to the documentary - haven't had time to watch more than the first few minutes yet, but looks good and am looking forward to seeing it all soon.

Sarah 😀