Baby Brains and Foot Reflexology
All about reflexology from authors Barbara and Kevin Kunz. "Barbara and I have written 20 books on reflexology in 22 language editions with 58 foreign editions. We have been doing reflexology for over 35 years."
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What happens when reflexology is applied to critically ill ICU patients breathing with the help of mechanical ventilation after surgery and/or while hospitalized? Reflexology Research and Mechanical Ventilation, the new book from Barbara Kunz, describes and analyzes the results from ten studies looking at this question.
A rare opportunity is provided by the ability to examine researched results from ten studies in one subject area. Of interest is the opportunity to compare and contrast what happens when reflexology is applied to different reflex areas for the same patient concerns.
Discovered: reflex areas do matter. Reflexology applied to particular reflex areas helped patients supported by mechanical ventilation improve more than other reflex areas. For example, following heart surgery patients who received foot reflexology technique application to heart, lung, solar plexus and diaphragm reflex areas were removed from ventilator support a full hour more quickly than those whose foot reflexology work was applied to heart and lung reflex areas.
Reflex areas do matter. Shortening time on mechanical ventilation has implications for patients. The less time spent on ventilation, the less concern for patient problems and complications.
The studies also draw attention to the importance of reflex area selection for other areas of concern in the care of patients on mechanical ventilation. There is the value of such information to any of us as reflexologists, health-interested individuals and caregivers to hospitalized patients. Why would that be?
For example, one area of research in multiple studies, physiologic parameters, are of interest in the pursuit of health to all of us and our reflexology clients. These parameters are indicators of how well systems of our bodies are working. Signalled also are the physiological signs of anxiety: heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate. Several studies found significant differences for the physiologic parameters between those who received reflexology and those who did not.
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The application of reflexology’s pressure techniques to the sole of the foot helps the return to breathing on his or her own for critically ill mechanically ventilated adults. Or so research finds as reported in ReflexologyResearch and Mechanical Ventilation by Barbara Kunz.
Why would this be?
Consider UCLA researcher Dr. Ron Harper’s study. Premature infants frequently have breathing difficulties. Dr Harper studied what happens when a vibrating disc was applied to the sole of premature infants’ feet. The results show that the infants breathing normalized. Why? Dr. Harper notes, it’s “‘… a simple device that tricks babies’ brains into thinking they are running, which prompts them to breathe.”
“Every neonatologist knows that if a neonatal patient stops breathing, you rub the sole of the foot and they’ll start breathing again,” he says. “Well, what is that? That’s activating the proprioceptors of the foot.”
“Proprioceptors are a type of nerve cell that help us feel where we are in space. Being able to keep your balance with your eyes closed, or to touch your fingertip to your nose without looking, are examples of proprioception. The nerve fibers project to the cerebellum and are activated with running or walking.”
Premature infants struggling to breathe and critically ill adults breathing with the support of mechanical ventilation were helped when sensory experience was applied to their feet.
For the infants, it was a vibrating disc on the foot that helped their undeveloped lungs breathe better. For the adults, it was the pressure technique application of reflexology to the feet that helped them better cope with and be removed deem breathing with ventilator support.
Why would reflexology help patients on mechanical ventilation? It’s the special and critical role of the foot in walking and running that creates possibilities for helping those with breathing difficulties.
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The reflex in reflexology has real meaning with real world medical applications.
At least that’s the take away from research with reflexology and ICU patients breathing with the support of mechanical ventilation. In one results patients were taken off ventilation support in a faster time when reflexology was applied.
The new book Reflexology Research and Mechanical Ventilation from Barbara Kunz details how and why this would happen with analysis of ten research studies. Five of the studies looking at the issue of time spent on ventilation. All five found a quicker “weaning” time for patients who received reflexology.
Consider: a reflex is an automatic, unconscious response to a stimulus. Now consider: an automatic, unconscious response was created with a specific dose of the sensory stimulus of reflexology’s pressure techniques for patients breathing with the help of mechanical ventilation following surgery or while hospitalized.
Best results were triggered by a carefully considered dose of reflexology, specifically chosen reflex areas. “Researchers noted selection of and technique application targeting the reflex areas which ‘may be responsible’ for ‘stabilization of physiological indicators and reduction of ventilation dependence.’”*
Patients who received foot reflexology technique applied to heart, lung, solar plexus and diaphragm reflex areas were removed from ventilator support a full hour more quickly than those whose foot reflexology work was applied to heart and lung reflex areas.
Reflexologists have long contended and research has demonstrated that technique application to specific reflex areas has effect on the reflected part of the body. Research has now gone a step farther. Reflexology applied to specific reflex areas has an effect with medical applications.
For details about dosing in reflexology and why these areas were chosen see Reflexology Research and Mechanical Ventilation.
*Elsayed, Amira, Kandeel, Nahed, El-Aziz, Wafaa, “The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Physiological Indicators and Mechanical Ventilation Weaning Time among Open-Heart Surgery Patients” American Journal of Nursing Research. 2019, 7(4), 412-419 DOI: 10.12691/ajnr-7-4-2
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Do you have a favorite reflex area, one that gets a positive response from your clients? Maybe puts them to sleep? Or, gets the results you seek?
For example, Kevin Kunz calls the eye/ear reflex area his “magic” reflex area.
One possible contender is the solar plexus reflex area. While it’s always a go-to reflex area for the basic goal of relaxation, research shows there’s actually more at work and more reason it should be a favorite reflex area.
First consider: a more accurate label would include the vagus nerve. At least that’s what was found in results from reflexology research applied to patients breathing with the support of mechanical ventilation.
Analysis of 10 studies in Reflexology Research and Mechanical Ventilation show application of technique to the solar plexus reflex area of patients supported by mechanical ventilation creates better results. While five of five studies found that patients were able to leave ventilator support in a shorter amount of time compared to patients who did not receive reflexology work, best results were seen with inclusion of the application of technique to the solar plexus reflex area.
In a direct comparison, better results were seen when foot reflexology was applied to heart, lung, solar plexus and diaphragm reflex areas as opposed to the heart and lung reflex areas. Patients recovering from heart surgery whose foot reflexology work included solar plexus and diaphragm reflex areas were removed from mechanical ventilation an hour earlier than those who did not. Additional benefits included better maintenance of vital signs and lessened anxiety.
Medical Applications of Reflexology and the Mechanical Ventilator
Images have faded from our memories and television screens of Covid patients attached to the breathing support of mechanical ventilators. Our hearts went out to the patients but also the medical personnel providing care.
Use of ventilators is an on-going part of medical care providing help for those unable to breathe on their own, critically patients following surgery as well as those hospitalized for various causes. It is estimated that 800,000 patients are placed on mechanical ventilation each year in the US.
What are the ramifications for both patients and the medical personnel who care for them? First, consider the patient. Not to be overly dramatic but a friend’s brother was given last year the option of returning to ventilator support during the course of a lengthy illness. He choose death over return to ventilation. Then, consider the stress for critical care nurses working with the challenges of caring for patients on mechanical ventilation.
Such challenges are addressed in research by critical care nurses. Reflexology Research and Mechanical Ventilation tells the story of ten studies conducted by critical care nurses where reflexology was applied to ICU and hospitalized patients.
Research with such patients shows how reflexology can contribute to medical care. Five of the five studies that addressed the issue found patients were freed from mechanical ventilation more quickly when reflexology was provided.
Conclusions from the studies describe application of reflexology as providing a simple, non-invasive, safe, cost-effective and efficacious means for medical personnel to address concerns for patients supported by mechanical ventilation. Concerns include: lessening time spent on ventilation, maintaining vital signs, managing anxiety and reducing use of medication. Time spent on ventilation increases complications and risk of death for patients as well as costs for hospitals.
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Credibility for Reflexology
Credibility for reflexology comes from research. Credibility also comes from explaining to others what the research means. Then there’s credibility gained by describing why results happen.
Consider the study results described in Reflexology Research and Mechanical Ventilation by Barbara Kunz. Five of five studies found that patients were able to leave ventilator support in a shorter amount of time compared to patients who did not receive reflexology work.
What do these results mean? There are implications for both critically ill post surgical patients as well as hospitalized patients who experience breathing difficulties. Patients supported by mechanical ventilation are unable to breathe on their own. The longer they remain on ventilator support, the greater the possibilities of complications. Allowing patients to leave behind ventilator support more quickly illustrate potential medical uses for reflexology,.
A further extension of the research is why this would happen, why would reflexology help critically ill patients with breathing difficulties? Theories vary and more research is needed but consider one explanation: the sensory stimulation of reflexology’s pressure techniques to the feet communicates with parts of the brain that regulate breathing. How does that work?
To consider this idea, first consider the breathing problems of premature infant Emma. She was born weighing 1 pound 3 ounces with an undeveloped heart. The first time her breathing stopped nurses sprang into action, tickling her postage-stamp-sized feet. Her breathing started again. Over 8 weeks her mother sat by her side tickling her feet dozens of times a day. At 15 weeks Emma overcame the problem of interrupted breathing.
In discussing his research with premature infants and the sensation of vibration applied to their feet UCLA (University of California, Los Angles) researcher Dr. Ron Harper notes that doctors commonly rub preemies’ feet to restart their breathing. Why would this work? Dr. Harper states rubbing the feet of preemies is “ ‘… a simple device that tricks babies’ brains into thinking they are running, which prompts them to breathe.’ ”*
Dr. Harper describes the process of such stimulation of sensors in the feet which prompt an automatic, unconscious response of breathing reflexes in the brain. Such a process “ ‘… help(s) us when we start running and suddenly need more oxygen. … “ ‘When our feet hit the ground running, we flex muscles and joints that have nerve fibers leading to the brain which signal that the body is running,’ ” he said. “ ‘This message is coupled with another set of fibers to parts of the brain that regulate breathing and sends a signal that those parts need to increase breathing. Fortunately, that coupling exists even in extremely young infants.’ ”*
The potential for credibility is not just in researched results but in why results happen and how this contributes to acceptance of reflexology as a medical adjunct.
Research shows reflexology helps patients more quickly leave the support of mechanical ventilation and breathe on their own. The theory noted here: this happens because the feet are a part of the body’s walking / running mechanism. The pressure sensory application of reflexology tricks the brain into thinking the person is running and needs more oxygen.
For more information, see Reflexology Research and Mechanical Ventilation. For a fuller explanation about how reflexology works through pressure sensors in the feet, see The Complete Guide to Foot Reflexology (Third Edition).