Medical Applications of Reflexology and the Mechanical Ventilator

What’s Your Favorite Reflex Area?

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.

Ventilator book buying links

 Get your copy now https://a.co/d/6awLMQZ or https://books2read.com/u/bx6VLl