Scottish Institute of Reflexology

Midwifery

An introduction to catharsis and the healing crisis in reflexology.
Mackereth PA
Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 1999 Issue 3 Jun Vol.5 p.67-74
Abstract
This paper explores the concept of healing through catharsis in relation to the practice of reflexology. The literature will be reviewed to inform a critical analysis of the role of the reflexologist and specifically the therapeutic relationship. This area was chosen as I have had experiences of reflexology clients reporting feeling 'emotional', 'being tearful', and 'thinking more about their lives' past and present'. These observations have been illuminated by a recent study that suggests reflexology can be helpful for people with emotional needs (Trousdall 1997). Emotional and physical responses to reflexology are traditionally attributed to 'detoxification' and the signs of it occurring known as a 'healing crisis' (Sahai 1993, Griffiths 1995). Consideration will be given to the practitioner's skills and support, issues of boundaries to practice, and the effective management of patient's emotional and physical responses. The safety and potency of the therapeutic work will be key elements to the discussions.

Review of literature on the effectiveness of reflexology.
Botting D
Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 1997 Issue 5:Oct Vol.3 p.123-30
Abstract
Public interest in complementary therapies continues to grow and many nurses and midwives are incorporating complementary therapies such as reflexology, aromatherapy and massage into their clinical practice. However, there are concerns regarding the use of such therapies when their effectiveness has not been clearly demonstrated. This article is a review of the literature relating to the effectiveness of reflexology. Anecdotal evidence is described and concerns relating to the literature's reliance on personal beliefs and experiences are presented. The need for research evidence to demonstrate effectiveness is highlighted. A critical review of published research studies is presented which focuses in particular on methodological issues such as the use of the randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of complementary therapies such as reflexology

Clients' perceptions of the benefits of reflexology on their quality of life.
Wright S, Courtney U, Donnelly C, Kenny T, Lavin C
Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 2002 Issue 2:May Vol.8:69-76
Abstract
Awareness has increased among health-care professionals, patients and the general public of the importance of an holistic approach to cancer care. Psychosocial interventions, including complementary therapies, may help to improve the quality of life (QoL) of people with cancer by helping to reduce the distress associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and by facilitating improved psychological adjustment to the experience of cancer. The following article presents anecdotal findings at ARC Cancer Support Centre Dublin, Ireland, of clients' perceptions of the benefits of reflexology interventions on their QoL. Reflexology interventions were perceived to impact positively upon clients' levels of impairment and functional status, including physical and psychological function, with implications for general health perceptions. The paper discusses how these findings might form the basis of further, more rigourous evaluation of the benefits of reflexology for people with cancer at ARC Cancer Support Centre.

'Just the ticket': integrating massage and reflexology in practice (Part I).
Dryden SL, Holden SD, Mackereth PA
Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 1998 Issue 6:Dec Vol.4:156-9
Abstract
The purpose of these papers is to describe and discuss the piloting and evaluation of an inpatient complementary therapy service. This was a single site case study without a control group and involving practitioners themselves collecting data, recording reflections on their own practice and engaging in monthly clinical supervision sessions. The service was aimed at providing treatments of hand and foot massage incorporating reflexology techniques for a total of 18 patients. In part 2 of this paper, an evaluation of the project will be presented including the findings of this pilot service from the perspective of both the patients and practitioners, and the analysis of some of the physiological data collected. Part 3 will focus on a subgroup of the patient cohort to illuminate the experience from both patient and practitioner perspective.

'Just the ticket': the findings of a pilot complementary therapy service (Part II).
Dryden SL, Holden SD, Mackereth PA
Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 1999 Issue1:Feb Vol.5:15-8
Abstract
In part I of this series of articles (Dryden et al. 1998) the authors detailed the background to a project offering hand and foot massage incorporating reflexology techniques. The following paper reports back on the findings and evaluation. Over a 4-month period a total of 61 recorded treatments were given to 18 in-patients. Each session was to last approximately 30 minutes and included recordings of physiological data as well as pre- and post comments from the patient. The six practitioners, who were already working within the ward setting in various capacities, were asked to record reflective comments after each treatment. This paper will conclude by discussing future recommendations. Part III of this series (CTNM 5: 2, 1999) will focus on a subgroup of patients within the study highlighting the experiences of both practitioners and patients

The BBC survey of complementary medicine use in the UK.
Ernst E, White A
Complement Ther Med 2000 Issue 1:Mar Vol.8:32-6
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Recent data about the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by the general population exist for Australia and the USA, but not for the UK. This study aimed at providing such data.
DESIGN: Nationally representative random telephone survey. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 1204 British adults were interviewed.
RESULTS: 20% of the sample used CAM in the previous year. Herbalism, aromatherapy, homoeopathy, acupuncture/acupressure, massage and reflexology were the most popular treatment modalities. The main reasons for trying CAM were its perceived effectiveness, a positive inclination towards it, and its relaxing effects. On average, users spent 13.62 +/- 1.61 Pounds on CAM per month, which extrapolates to an annual expenditure of 1.6 billion Pounds for the whole nation.
CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that CAM is prevalent in the UK. Therefore, its scientific validation has become an ethical imperative.

Autonomy and practice: the case of complementary practitioners in the UK.
Tovey P
Int J Qual Health Care 1997 Issue1:Feb Vol.9:55-9
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: 1. To identify the level of acceptance of the principle of British Medical Association (BMA) participation in the formulation of practice guidelines for complementary medicine amongst currently active non-orthodox practitioners in the UK. 2. To identify the level of support for individual BMA proposals. 3. To identify similarities and differences of attitude to the proposals between practitioners of selected non-orthodox therapies. DESIGN: A postal survey of 1000 practitioners of complementary medicine.
SETTING: The UK between late 1993 and early 1994. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: One thousand currently practising UK complementary therapists from 4 groups-chiropractic, "lay" homeopathy, medical herbalism and reflexology. Systematic sampling (every nth practitioner) was used to select 250 respondents from membership lists of relevant representative bodies. The reponse rate was 57%.
RESULTS: The principle of BMA participation in policy formation was accepted by the vast majority of respondents, although 87.7% stipulated that this should not constitute a major role. Each of the individual BMA proposals received majority support. Acceptance rates varied from 59.7% to 92.9%. Statistically significant differentiation between therapies was recorded on certain proposals.
DISCUSSION: The revised stance of the BMA is finding a potentially receptive audience amongst UK complementary practitioners. There is a large amount of common ground between the proposals and what is acceptable to practitioners. However, the situation is complicated by intra-sectoral differentiation. Particular therapy and issue-specific barriers exist to the universal utilization of the kind of measures pro

The use of complementary therapies in midwifery practice: a focus on reflexology.
Tiran D
Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 1996 Issue2:Apr Vol.2:32-7
Abstract
This paper introduces the use of complementary therapies within midwifery practice, and particularly focuses on reflexology. Case reports illustrate instances in which reflexology has been successful for childbearing women. Some of the issues pertinent to midwives are explored.
Author Address
University of Greenwich, Elizabeth Raybould Centre, Dartford, Kent, UK.