to think that reflexology does in fact "work" - just am not sure how

[sotiredofthis1]

Hi

Am considering doing a reflexology course next year. I have been interested for a long time but never quite taken the plunge. I have now had three reflexology treatments and I know that at the very least I have felt much more relaxed and tired (in a good way) afterwards.

Have twice told dh that I may be doing this course but he is scornful of the whole thing saying that there is no link between the reflex points on the feet and various organs - as reflexologists would claim. That it is not a pressure point massage that reflexologists offer but a simple foot massage. He also says that it is not "my thing" (as in mine, not his).

The thing is that I am not entirely sure myself (nothing to do with dh's scorn) that I should really do this course so dh kind of taps into my own insecurities. Obviously I have no idea whether there really are energy pathways between the pressure points on the feet and any organs but aibu to think that it doesn't really matter? There is no doubt IMO that reflexology is a helpful therapy in that it helps people relax and a relaxed body is better able to deal with imbalances, than a stressed one.

So I guess I am asking for your opinions - if you have had reflexology what kinds of things has it helped you with. Also if you are a reflexologist - whether you "believe" in the basic premises of reflexology and if you think it is important to "believe" for the therapy to work?

Any treatment that is relaxing and enjoyable is going to make you feel better, especially if you have an attentive therapist who gives the impression of really caring about clients. Obviously this is a good thing.

However when dealing with actual physical ailments, the question is whether the "feeling better" is anything more than a placebo effect (in properly designed trials, most alternative therapies provide little or no benefit versus placebo).

My issues with alternative therapies are mostly centred around this issue - whether therapists are honest with patients about the likely benefits (given that the claimed benefits are usually largely unproven, and sometimes pure fiction).

Placebos work.

Of course the placebo effect is real, the question is whether it's ethical to charge significant sums of money for unproven treatments on the grounds that the patients will at least get a "placebo benefit".

Some Chinese also believe eating rhino horn or tiger penis are good for virility. No doubt there is hundreds of years of tradition behind that, too.

I don't 100% believe but I do think it works! Not sure if it's just that getting some physical contact and human touch and the placebo effect come together or whatever, but I've had some positive experiences.

Had reflexology during pregnancy. Was struggling to get a definite start to my labour. The midwife hit a point and my uterus jumped into action

thought placebos worked/didn't 50/50 ? Reflexology has a higher success rate according to the MN straw poll.

This is why science relies on double blind trials rather than random, albeit interesting anecdotal evidence on internet forums!

I feel quite strongly that it's highly unethical to charge people money for a treatment whose efficacy is supposed to be established by belief or tradition rather than scientific evidence, but I think I'm probably in a minority. You'll always find people who are willing to pay, of course.

I fancy a bit of reflexology after reading this thread. Not sure what for,and never had it before but it can't hurt.

I'm massively cynical about all sorts of 'alternative' stuff, and yet I'm weirdly baffled by the fact that a reflexologist was able to tell me about a couple of ailments/injuries that I had had in the past, one of which I had actually forgotten that I had had.

I had quite severe gynae problems, the reproductive reflexology area of my foot would swell and got very tender. It stayed like this gor nearly a year. Once I had a hysterectomy and recovered from it my foot went back to normal.

I had it once to let a friend practice on me when she was training and was surprised how accurate she was about my health. I didnt tell her anything beforehand - we both agreed that to see what happened.
She'd be 'randomly' rubbing my feet and suddenly I'd be jumping in the air shouting 'ouch'. she's say 'thats connected to your kidneys' or whatever and she'd be spot on.

YANBU, it is what it is. Its not like you are pretending to be a doctor and it cant do any harm.

I had reflexology the other day for the first time, the masseuse didn't say about anything being wrong with me - I would be very sceptical about it being a diagnostic indicator.
But it's a massage and as such very enjoyable for some people. I didn't like it - I found the pressure on my feet weird and uncomfortable - I was squirming by the end and she stopped -but can appreciate others might like it - I will stick to having my back pummelled

Acupuncture can be used as anaesthesia for c sections. That's hardly 'woo'.

I had a course of reflexology which I did not enjoy at all because it absolutely killed. Very unpleasant. Plus it didn't do anything for the ailment I was having it for.

Acupuncture can be used as anaesthesia for c sections. That's hardly 'woo'.

Not in its own. It can be used alongside a medical anaesthetic, for added woo.