This is a continuing debate with Mark's China Blog. We agree that we like Mark because he is an open minded skeptic.
*************************************************************************************************************************
Thanks for your reply, Mark. You note that in addition to reflexology and reflexology paths, the Chinese also believe that their health is impacted by walking backwards, avoiding cold drinks and air conditioning. Certainly whole realms of sociology are devoted to the study of cultural beliefs. A lay viewpoint (mine) sees the list of Chinese health beliefs as ranging from superstition to tradition to proven fact. (Perhaps you can guess where I’m about to place uses of reflexology and the reflexology path on this continuum.)
First let me digress to note the recent work of T. R. Reid. In his book Healing in America, as well in presentations on PBS and in many magazines, the author writes and speaks of his conclusions from a journey around the world to seek treatment for an old shoulder injury. In the US, he was advised to have expensive surgery, In the UK, he was advised to go home. In both France and Germany, physical therapy was recommended. In India, he received massage, herbs and meditation. It would be the Indian solution that helped alleviate (at least for a while) his shoulder pain. His conclusion: The traditions and expectations of a culture help determine the health services offered.
Just as the application of reflexology technique is a tradition embedded in cultures throughout Asia so too is walking the reflexology path. Among Western countries, reflexology practice is, perhaps most embedded in Germany. While not commonly know yet (except in Germany and Austria where some 60“barefoot paths’ find popular use), walking the reflexology path is, for example, a “fashionable fitness activity” in parks across China.
Research elevates both reflexology and walking the reflexology path beyond belief and into fact. Belief and tradition do come into play, however. In countries where the tradition is established, it would seem that science and scientists have been more willing to step in and conduct research. Perhaps it becomes a circular problem: scientific fact does not exist without research yet research is not conducted without a basis in belief that there's something worth testing. (See below.) Thus, your statement that "…there seems to be a large segment of the world's population who think that reflexology is a complete sham" should—to my mind—read "In point of fact much of the world's population believes that reflexology impacts health. Western and other cultures who don't have yet to give it a fair chance."
I note that I am hardly a casual observer in such a debate. Aside from following reflexology research since first reports in 1993, I spent a year researching research resulting in a 214-page document (Evidence-Based Reflexology for Health Professionals and Researchers by Kunz and Kunz, 2008). What I found surprised me—and I had been observing closely.
Put most simply, research shows that reflexology impacts the physiological process of the body— even from the moment technique application begins. Effects are shown real-time in studies using EEG (4 studies), Doppler sonongram (2 studies), and fMRI's (4 studies) among other measurements. Real time results include pain reduction and relaxation. Results also show improved circulation to the kidneys and intestines as well as pinpoint effects on areas of the brain as predicted by a reflexology chart. Just to give real-people meaning to such results, further application of reflexology over time shows improvements in kidney and intestine function for kidney dialysis patients and individuals of all ages experiencing constipation respectively. Individuals with phantom limb pain were shown to experience a decrease or complete cessation of pain. Pain reduction was experienced by women giving birth and cancer patients. Research also demonstrates potential mechanisms of action at work to explain the workings of reflexology, for example, improved circulation and impact on /exercise of the nervous system.
I could go on but I'll cut to the chase on research for walking the reflexology path. A landmark study at Oregon Research Institute (quoted frequently in China) found such walking resulted in health improvements for seniors such as decrease in blood pressure and lessened fear of falling. Other research has documented improved blood and nerve circulation . The Chinese speculate that such improvements lessen susceptibility to illness as well as forestall or improve other health problems.
In conclusion I note that it would seem that belief is a highly human and malleable thing. One culture's belief is another's unfounded superstition. Is there a middle ground? Can anyone know / investigate everything (such as reflexology)? I have no real answers to these questions but, in the case of reflexology, I hope expanded knowledge will lessen the cultural divide that exists between those who successfully utilize reflexology to improve health and those who don't.
I note the following from Kunz and Kunz, Evidence-Based Reflexology for Health Professionals and Researchers , RRP Press, 2008, pages 26-27
Cultural and historic factors (in reflexology research)
Results can vary depending on the country where the research was conducted. As noted above, Tovey raises the issue of impact on research due to bias in the medical system. In a similar vein, there is an impact on research varying with societies where reflexology use is a traditional part of the culture and those where it is not. While it is difficult to weigh possible ramifications, it does add interest to a review of research.
To some extent the sheer number of reflexology studies by country makes a statement. More studies are reported in Denmark - fourteen - than the United States - thirteen. Considering the populations of each, the inequity is apparent. The pattern of reflexology in each country makes a statement. In Denmark, surveys have shown that reflexology is the most popular complementary and alternative medical practice with some 25% of the citizens using it regularly. In the US, chiropractics is the most used followed by massage therapy.
Interesting to note also is who conducts the research. In this report, China leads the way in numbers of studies with more than 50 studies followed by Korea with 20 studies. In China, research is conducted by medical doctors and in Korea by nurses. And, the studies reported here are likely to be the tip of the iceberg. Research from China and Korea lacks broader circulation due to language differences and communication gaps. This is demonstrated by a report from Korea. Younghae Chung, PhD of Dongshin University in Korea notes: "There were 59 master's and doctoral theses and peer reviewed articles on foot reflexology published in Korea from January 1990 to December 2006" (as compared to the 20 Korean studies reported here).
Few studies are reported in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, countries with deeply entrenched reflexology use. It is almost as if there is no need to prove with research something so widely believed and so much a part of the culture.
Numbers of negative studies also make a statement. Some one-third of studies in Denmark result in negative outcomes. By contrast, a report from China reports a 6% "not effective" rate in a review of 8,096 cases and 63 disorders. In Chinese research, reflexology work is commonly applied in a series of ten daily sessions followed by an evaluation. Work proceeds for another ten day cycle if needed to achieve desired goals. There are several ways to consider this pattern. Long time reflexologists nod in agreement. They understand that frequency of technique application is a key component of reflexology work. That there is no time limit to reflexology's application during Chinese research makes good sense. After all how else could you discover how much reflexology work is needed to impact a particular disorder? The issue is, thus of impact on research due to bias in the medical system. In a similar vein, there is an impact on research varying with societies where reflexology use is a traditional part of the culture and those where it is not. While it is difficult to weigh possible ramifications, it does add interest to a review of research. To some extent the sheer number of reflexology studies by country makes a statement. More studies are reported in Denmark - fourteen - than the United States - thirteen. Considering the populations of each, the inequity is apparent. The pattern of reflexology in each country makes a statement. In Denmark, surveys have shown that reflexology is the most popular complementary and alternative medical practice with some 25% of the citizens using it regularly. In the US, chiropractics is the most used followed by massage therapy. Interesting to note also is who conducts the research. In this report, China leads the way in numbers of studies with more than 50 studies followed by Korea with 20 studies. In China, research is conducted by medical doctors and in Korea by nurses. And, the studies reported here are likely to be the tip of the iceberg. Research from China and Korea lacks broader circulation due to language differences and communication gaps. This is demonstrated by a report from Korea. Younghae Chung, PhD of Dongshin University in Korea notes: "There were 59 master's and doctoral theses and peer reviewed articles on foot reflexology published in Korea from January 1990 to December 2006" (as compared to the 20 Korean studies reported here). Few studies are reported in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, countries with deeply entrenched reflexology use. It is almost as if there is no need to prove with research something so widely believed and so much a part of the culture. Numbers of negative studies also make a statement. Some one-third of studies in Denmark result in negative outcomes. By contrast, a report from China reports a 6% "not effective" rate in a review of 8,096 cases and 63 disorders. In Chinese research, reflexology work is commonly applied in a series of ten daily sessions followed by an evaluation. Work proceeds for another ten day cycle if needed to achieve desired goals. There are several ways to consider this pattern. Long time reflexologists nod in agreement. They understand that frequency of technique application is a key component of reflexology work. That there is no time limit to reflexology's application during Chinese research makes good sense. After all how else could you discover how much reflexology work is needed to impact a particular disorder? The issue is, thus, not Will reflexology impact the disorder? but How long will it take? and What will be the efficacy? (how many of the study's participants will be significantly effected, effected or not effected). Such a statement speaks volumes about the entrenchment of reflexology in the Chinese culture.
With experience comes knowledge. The Chinese researchers have demonstrated that with sufficient conditioning through reflexology application, the body can be prompted to behave in a better manner. The change can be so dramatic as to eradicate illness. The Chinese study of urination in men over 55 found that some were "cured" with reflexology "Significantly effective (cure") in 48.68% of all cases." For 44.95% of study participants, reflexology was shown to be "Effective or improvement," thus, offering a way to effectively ameliorate their frequent urination.(109)+
No comments:
Post a Comment