Monday, March 30, 2009

Reflexology Widgets Over 2 million Hits


The Reflexology Widgets from DK/Penguin Publishing have had over 2 million hits. They have been installed in over 11,000 sites which includes web pages, blogs, and social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.

If you haven't seen them go to:

Hand Reflexology Widget

Foot Reflexology Widget

or if you are into the big picture or a large interactive foot and hand chart go to:

http://www.dk.com/reflexology

Have fun.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Friday, March 27, 2009

Online Age Quiz Is a Window for Drug Makers - NYTimes.com

Online Age Quiz Is a Window for Drug Makers - NYTimes.com
I am a real fan of Dr. Oz. Years ago he made a point of telling me how Reflexology got him into CAM when I was attending his presentation. He saved a young man's life after heart surgery by working on his feet. His portrayal of this is in his first book,"Healing From the Heart".
Reflexology has been mentioned countless times in his media interviews. He even worked on Oprah's feet which if you were on my end watching the surge on our web site was amazing. And we are only one of his many causes.

So I was really disappointed when the New York Times took aim through the above article. The article points to a business relationship between RealAge and drug makers. The drug makers use the data from RealAge to make marketing decisions. While there are obviously questions about this approach, Dr. Oz is pictured as in some way negating what he believes in.

I don't know what Dr. Oz role in this business relationship is but I know one thing for sure. He has been a very strong advocate of preventative self help. He has also been a incredible advocate of CAM. Whatever the business relationship between drug makers and RealAge I don't believe Dr. Oz is being two faced in his approach to health.

I really wonder if the New York Times actually bothered to interview Dr. Oz.

Kevin Kunz

Monday, March 23, 2009

Ban on Feet-Nibbling Fish Leaves Nail Salons on the Hook - WSJ.com

© yamada kazuyuk. Image from http://www.flickr.com/people/34507767@N00
Ban on Feet-Nibbling Fish Leaves Nail Salons on the Hook - WSJ.com
"Ban on Feet-Nibbling Fish Leaves Nail Salons on the Hook"

These fish nibbling off calluses has been called "Fish Reflexology". Well I would debate whether the practice actually could be called reflexology accurately. Does fish nibbling on your calluses really fit the definition of reflexology?

What the practice entails is a salon where there are big tanks where fish nibble off the dead skin. It dates back to a Turkish legend in which a shepherd injuries his foot. Sticks it is a hot spring teeming with fish. The foot recovers and the legend is born.

The idea spread throughout Asia and was rediscovered in China by enterprising pedicure salon owners from the US. Cutting calluses with razors has become a real issue in many states. So why not employ nibbling little fish to carve away the calluses.

But wait it isn't so easy when you are facing regulatory boards. Believe me after our many experiences with these boards I have empathy for these people.

We faced regulatory boards who had no idea what they were talking about. It still is the case in the US that certain states require a massage license to practice reflexology even though no requirement for reflexology training is mandated.

I wouldn't be surprised if these cosmetology boards insist that the fish have a license to practice nibbling on feet. It is what regulatory boards do- make ridiculous statues.

Note: these fish are also referred to as "Doctor Fish".


Kevin Kunz


http://www.reflexology-research.com
http://www.dk.com/reflexology

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Body Has a Mind of Its Own


The Body Has a Mind of Its Own


I have been reading this book with great interest. The subtitle is interesting: How Body Maps in Your Brain Help You Do Almost Anything Better.

It is a self help book but I really like the discussion of the maps are brains contain that relate to our bodies. There is one body map called the "body schema". this map is "a felt sense based on the physical properties of your body." Another map "stems from learned attitudes about your body."

We know that there are maps of our body's schema. There are several schematics in several parts of the brain. Each and every body part is reflected in these blueprint like structures. These maps are both conscious and subconscious representations of our felt and perceived body. This book explains proprioception meaning "perception of one's own." It is how we sense where we are and how our bodies are configured. "These maps guide your body movements and expectations about those movements."

The authors blew my mind when they went on to talk about the important receptors on the bottom of the feet. They write about the decay to these receptors that occur over time and the impact on the aging process. They talk about some high tech solutions with faint vibrations to the bottom of the feet as was done by Dr. Collins at Boston University or more recently with the IShoe.

But according to the authors you don't need high tech to achieve the same results. You can simply walk on cobblestones like the Chinese have done for centuries. "The science of body maps explains how it works." And then they go on to explain it.

I have to say this book talks about what we have talked about for years. The reflexology charts are not without precedent. There are maps throughout the brain and yes, there are schemata throughout the body as well. This exists because we must map our existence from moment to moment just to survive. Every part of the body is a part of these maps.

This book makes me feel very positive about what we have said about the workings of reflexology.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

http://www.dk.com/reflexology

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Why Hotels Resist Defibrillators - WSJ.com


I read this article with dismay. I wonder how many lives are lost because of the cautious nature of these hotels. Or are we so litigious that hotels should be concerned. And in essence we are killing ourselves by frightening the hotels away from this life saving method.

I guess that is what started me thinking about the reflex revival technique. I have talked about on this blog. It is very hard to get attention for this technique. What I thought would attract interest is the fact that the longest neuron in the body goes from the middle of the big toe all the way into the brainstem.

I have seen two people who showed no signs of life come back and be cognitive within seconds after application of this technique. I have revived several people who have fainted or passed out.

It is frustrating to those who know defibrillators can make a difference. And it is frustrating to us that know that there is hope in reviving people far from a defibrillator with the reflex revival technique.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

http://www.dk.com/reflexology

Friday, March 13, 2009

I've gotten addicted to walking on cobblestone mats


I have fallen in love with walking on cobblestone mats or as we call it around here "walking on bumps". I have to admit it is a positive addiction but an addiction none the less. We have talked in this blog about cobblestone paths and cobblestone mats. The benefits are many according to an Oregon Research Institute study.

But there is something downright soothing about walking on these "bumps". Not at first will that be the way one would describe it. At first it is hard to adapt to without saying "ouch" every few seconds. But after your feet adapt to this new challenge you start to miss it when you can't do it.

Here is what I have found. I have better contact with the ground. I feel it more. I sense changes underfoot. I adapt quickly to imbalances caused by irregular surfaces or loose materials under foot.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com
http://www.dk.com/reflexology

I have more energy. If I miss sleep I am not done in like I used to be. My moods are steadier. I feel healthier and have a sense of being more positive about things.

My reflexes seem quicker. I feel like my reflexes are sharper and reaction time is quicker.

I sense that my peripheral vision seems to have improved and I "take more in". I get more done and take less time to get things done. Better focus seems to be developing.

I think it impacts my thinking process but I might get a debate on that from people who know me. I feel less mental fatigue but that isn't perfect.

I think it effects muscle tone especially in the abdomen. You feel stronger but not in a bulkier sort of way.

We are doing a lot of this bump walking for a new project we are working on which is a Reflexology path kit for Barnes and Noble. What a great project for our own benefit and hopefully the benefit of others.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

What would You Like in the way of Reflexology Software?

We are looking at developing a line of educationally software for reflexology. We thought of ways to learn charts. Also programs which will tell you which areas to emphasize for different conditions. We are looking at sessions and so forth. So if you want to see something done from one of our books let us know.

We would like to see programs develop you would like. It can be fanciful. Thanks.

Kevin Kunz
http://www.reflexology-research.com
http://www.dk.com/reflexology

Monday, March 9, 2009

Wiggling Your Toes Part 2

I wrote recently about wiggling the toes to help one sleep. I actually think it works quite well. I find it very effective and would not do without it. The side effect is that it makes my feet feel really good. 

But there are other methods as well. I suggest rolling the feet on a foot roller for 10 or so minutes a half an hour before bed. Or if you are in bed and feel restless try rubbing your hands. I do this until I feel like rolling over and drifting off. 

I was surprised at the amount of people who do wiggle their toes to help them sleep. It seems to be a wider spread then one would imagine. 

Keep on wiggling.

Kevin Kunz

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Facebook | Breast cancer patients test reflexology -- chicagotribune.com

Can reflexology mitigate the effects of chemotherapy on women with breast cancer? One study hopes to show if this is true or not. 

This is going to be great PR for reflexology when it is released in 2010. However after reading the brief synopsis from the Chicago Tribune it may not be the greatest science. 

This is a research study that is uses "placebo reflexology" or placebo foot massages (whatever that is). These studies never seem to have very clear results. The one saving grace is that there is one group that receives no treatment at all. This simply makes more sense than fake reflexology. 

Placebo reflexology doesn't exist. It is figment of researchers imaginations. It assumes that a practitioner can clearly fake it.  Also it assumes that there "points" on the foot rather than areas that may be stimulated by the fake reflexology. the boundaries seem very thin.  

Or let us go the other way. Isn't the chance for a placebo effect quite high if you think you are receiving the real reflexology even though you are receiving the fake reflexology? Isn't that the very definition of a placebo effect? 

A further issue with these types of protocols is the problem that arises when the practitioners do both the real reflexology and the sham reflexology. The implication of the Chicago Tribune article is that the practitioner is doing both the real and the fake sessions. I hope not. 

The tests are meant to demonstrate whether there is a difference between reflexology and foot massage in addressing certain conditions. Can a practitioner "cross the line" into real reflexology if their heart goes out to a poor cancer victim who happens to be suffering a great deal? They are only human. It might not even be consciously done. 

Or what is the definition of a fake treatment. Is it foot massage or is it simply avoiding the areas traditionally used in reflexology to address these conditions. This isn't as simple as administering a sugar pill. It involves humans.  

This research is also something that has been already been done. There are a fair amount of research done by other researchers on cancer and chemo. But this time the research study will cost three million dollars. That is a lot of money. Perhaps it is because of the size of the study and it's length of 5 years that it so costly. 

Don't get me wrong. I am all for more research and especially in this population. But I am curious what sets this apart from the other studies already done. It has to be good at that price tag. 

I hope I am wrong about this study. I hope it shows something clear cut and defendable as good science. We have seen too many muddled protocols that fail to clearly demonstrate a positive or negative result. 

I really hope I am wrong. Time will tell. 

Kevin Kunz

Monday, March 2, 2009

New German Edition of Hand and Foot Reflexology: A Self Help Guide


We had a full week. We had both an Italian edition of Complete Reflexology for Life and a German edition of Hand and Foot Reflexology: A Self Help Guide come through. I have to say while I am very fond of Hand and Foot Reflexology: A Self Help Guide and the illustrations and thoughts contained with in it, Complete Reflexology for Life is a stunningly beautiful book.

We think that makes 5 Italian editions of our books and five or six German books. We don't always get the word but sometimes mysteriously the books show up at our front door. The Italian edition came via the postman who said,"I have a bag of stuff for you." He was right it, felt like a bag of stuff. But inside were some really pretty editions.

The German edition, however, was less like a bag of stuff and more like a very utilitarian wrapping. We knew it was books.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com
http://www.dk.com/reflexology