The Future of Reflexology

 Dear Fellow Reflexologists,

I have been sitting here thinking about all you wonderful reflexologists out there. The amazing efforts you all make each and ever day keeps us going.

The fMRI study Is just the beginning of a journey into becoming  a trusted and recognized science. 

There is a lot of research out there on reflexology. Good research. But so far little or no reaction from the medical or scientific communities.

But for some reason this study seems to be a tipping point. It has fired up the reflexologists imagination. It has even gotten attention from the medical and scientific communities. We feel momentum worldwide like we have never felt before. Exciting!!!

On the other hand I feel the impatience of reflexologists to get their approach’s or techniques recognized. They are coming to us as though our opinion matters. 

We need to move away from opinion and towards facts. That is how we become a true science. 

We have our own biases. That is why it is important to test and retest.  It isn’t just one approach. And it is important to look far and wide at as many approaches as we can. And some will make the cut and some frankly won’t. That’s science.

It should not be our approach alone. That would curtail innovation and creativity.  There could be widespread use of technology to validate and verify different approaches.  Many universities and many researchers could be involved.

There are very strict rules when testing subjects. We need to mirror these concerns with our approaches. 

We need to develop ethical standards to embrace safety to the public as our highest priority. So each new approach should be look at for safety, efficacy, mechanism of action and cost effectiveness.

Someday hopefully you will be sitting in that chair at the fMRI scanner waiting to start your own adventure. 

For me it was a great privilege and honor to be a part of this. (I have to admit hearing Barbara’s voice calling out the time over the headphones and seeing Stefan at the controls helped steady my nerves.)

We all can be players in the validation of the power of reflexology.  You too could be adding your discoveries to the systematic body of knowledge called Reflexology. And giving your gifts to the world.

Thank you for your service.

With love and respect,

Kevin