The facts are that there is undeniable and growing evidence that Reflexology, Reiki, healing touch, acupuncture and a host of other therapies are definitely helping patients suffering from illness. Apparently in the case of cancer, some oncologists are concerned about what to call these therapies.
Kids don’t care what it’s called, they love it by any name.
Take this case for instance outlined in a recent edition of Cure Today.
“Gabriella, 7, has endured surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation to treat her brain tumor, diagnosed in December 2008. “Acupuncture left a rash, and she didn’t really care for it,” says her mother, Frances. But foot massages—also known as reflexology—are a bright spot: “My daughter looks forward to it. She takes off her socks. She enjoys it.”
Here’s the “rub” (no pun intended) for the medi-business community. The question of what to call such therapies is under debate. The adjectives “alternative” and “complementary” have been used. But “alternative” – meaning “instead of” is problematic since no doctor would recommend an unproven treatment over a proven one.
The word “complementary” also is used, but many doctors prefer the term “integrative medicine” reflecting the idea that exercise, nutrition, counselling and stress reduction are vital parts of the anticancer package.
The “rub” for us practicing Reflexology is what does this mean for us? On first blush including Reflexology as part of the “Integrative Medicine” package may sound cool. But what does it really mean?
Would we then fall under the auspices of the medical community? If so, would Reflexology, Reiki and other modalities be required to fall under a standard determined by the medi-business community? Would holism as we practice it become a thing of the past. Would our new protocol limit us to only practicing physical Reflexology and remove the mind and spirit from our practice? Why would we do that and how could we do that?
My question is why are the doctors even concerned with re-branding what we do? Sure, it could simply be that the medi-community want to call us a name acceptable to them. But why? Food for thought.
Hi Jack.
I’m a reflexologist and Reiki practitioner and the word medical sends me running screaming. I don’t think that we need to be lumped together with modern medicine, after all what we do has been around for thousands of years. It is just a way for the medical bodies to get a hold of CAM and to put their stamp on it. Does this mean soon that only doctors can be reflexologists, I hope not. I am proud to be part of the CAM community, do we need the medical community to validate what we do? I agree that reflexology is so much more than the physical, lets not take the holistic out of reflexology. It is mind, body and soul.
Sue
Thank you for sharing this article!
Red Raven Therapy
Great minds think alike…..
http://redraventherapy.blogspot.com/2010/01/therapy-for-children-young-people.html
Jack, I have been a Reflexologist for over 23 years. For children with cancer I have used energy and Reflexology to reduce 80 -100 % of all the pain associated with the chemo and other traditioanal therapies from western medicene. With my client, the treatments gave him comfort and it doesn’t have to take the morphine which makes him sick.
It also gives comfort and relief to his Mother that she doesn’t have to watch him suffer. Randy
I use Reiki and Reflexology on my chronically ill clients, including one in Hospice. They all say they have benefited from Reflexology. I rely on their referrals. I will keep on until I am convinced it doesn’t help.
Dear Jack ! I agree with Sue. But if you turn the palm of your Hand, there lies an all together diffrent pattern of lines. Integral medicine, is what I would want to call the open application of a Reflexolgy session. Because first and foremost, as a Reflexologist, one automatically becomes a member of good standing, within the ranks of an allied health professional. All the while, when there is still the questionability, of what works and what does not. We all know it works. No use in crying over, spilled Milk. It took long enough, to come to where we are, today. The Spirit and Soul and Body, they will always be one. As holistic, as this may sound. yes we had to earn our degree and put in long hours, of Study,on the subject,be as well prepared and ready to pass on our knowledge, as would a Nurse, or a Massage Therapist, or a Chiropractor. Only our descriptive is, Reflexologist. In the days, not to long ago, Massage Therapist, seemingly just massaged you. Now they call themselfes Medical MT. Well, really? It seems to me ,that they more and more want to take out a bite of the big apple, that is for Doctors only. The Apples name is, Diagnosis. Bad, bad. That does not mean, that we all can not be an informed body, of knowledge, ( including Doctors), and determine what best would be the most helpful, in the outcome of the condition, or disease.Integral body, would imply a shared know how of what works, and what does not. Personally I had bouts with Sciatica, for the last 20 years, or so. I had rather not take Painkillers, prescribed by a Doctor. Or a Massage, that makes me cringe. But I would definitly want a Reflexology session, because out of experience, I know it works. And yes, regardless of how it is applied, human touch, will always be rewarded with favoritism, by the reciever and will always lend special grace, to the giver.
Hi Jack
A long-standing reflexologist myself, I was keen to reply to your article. I am not sure we should be afraid of “medical” when we are seeking or being asked for validation of what we do. It doesn’t matter to me – and I realise this is a personal opinion – what they call me. When I work with anybody with a serious condition and it improves after my treatments, then I have done my job proplery. I really don’t care what they call me. The one thing being “intergrated” with the medical model will do will be to raise the profile, as it’s sorely needed, of reflexology and show it for the powerful tool that we all know it to be. As for the holistic aspect, with energy, reiki, chackra work – that can still go on as part of our treatment patterns if we wish. In fact, realistically you can’t take the holism out of reflexology; it does it naturally. I suppose it’s a bit like the bedside manner of your doctor… he’s still a doctor, even though he may know your family well and ask after them. Great article
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