This is exciting!!!

Our lead investigator, Dr. Stefan Posse, presented the finding from our brain scanning project to 5000 research scientists in Singapore today. It involved applying reflexology while in realtime the participants were being scanned with a functional MRI unit. If you are interested in the results come join us on May 14th when  Barbara and myself talk about the results. Please share this with your friends.

Incredible News!!!

 

Incredible news!!! We just learned that the fMRI Study is funded to pay for the data analysis. And we have some amazing talent to perform the analysis. 

There are 82,000 to 83,000 images to analyze. It will take probably until February or March to get the results. 

We can’t wait to see the results. And I imagine you all feel the same. It has been a long road but we are almost there!! 

And this would not have been possible without your active support. Privately funded research projects are fairly rare. But we did it. Be proud. 

We are providing validation and credibility for our beloved Reflexology. It also will give us an insight into clinical applications beginning with stroke. 

But please we can use your continued support. We will be needing to raise fund the research team’s trip to Singapore upon acceptance of our findings. Barbara and I will be co-authors on the paper presented to the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. 

We also want to continue our clinical exploration. What would you like to see explored?

Enough talk about money. Time to celebrate all out  of our success. Your thoughts?

Please share this with your friends. 

Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology https://www.unmfund.org/fund/npar-fund/

Dear Reflexologists

Dear fellow reflexologists.

It is early morning here in New Mexico. Still dark.




I am still excited about the fMRI study and the potential it holds for Reflexology. I can’t wait to get back to University of Minnesota to start scanning on Phase 3., the clinical scanning stroke patients.




The one disappointment we have experienced over the years is watching excellent research like Dr. Samuel’s research on pain or Dr. Manzanares ground breaking research not getting the attention they deserve,




This study seems to be a tipping point for our field. Hopefully it will float all boats as the saying goes. The research that deserves attention may be finallynrecognized for it’s merits.




There are other aspects to this that are so exciting. Imagine all the knowledge that has accumulated over the years put to the test. Imagine all the creativity and innovation that is all around the world refined to serve humankind. Imagine how many more lives can be changed from children to our aged and in between.




You all have seen the many “miracles” achieved with Reflexology. But as I said at the RiEN conference. These stories are meaningless without the scientific evidence to back it up.




There is something in this data which is intriguing. What is it? Not only will it validate reflexology as a concept but there maybe some surprises we didn’t expect. How intriguing is that?




I guess we have fought so long you sometimes wonder if Reflexology will ever get the respect it deserves.




We are at that tipping point. It seems it is no longer whether Reflexology will arrive. It is simply when Reflexology will,arrive.




As I sat there in front of that hugh scanner.last April I kept thinking we are in the school of medicine being treated as colleagues. How cool is that?




That is my wish for all of you and future generations of reflexologists that you experience that moment of knowing things will never ever be the same.




Much love and respect,

Kevin Kunz

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

Lynne Booth’s statement about the fMRI Research Project

 

Thought this might be of interest.

Fantastic response from our Irish colleagues. I shall encourage all VRT practitioners on my mailing list. I have attended the RiEN conference in Yecla, Spain this week.  I heard an inspirational presentation from Kevin, Barbara, and Stefan. This level of exciting MRI research could give reflexology an incredible scientific platform judging by the early indications. Kevin says: If every reflexologist chipped in  $10 now then the reflexology project to examine the scans would be funded for the year! Lynne Booth VRT

https://gofund.me/4ba5fbc7

Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology 

https://www.unmfund.org/fund/npar-fund/

The Future of Reflexology

Another interesting meeting with the lead investigator of the fMRI study, Dr  Stefan Posse. We talked about the future and the potential for becoming a recognized and acknowledged science. 

I asked if we could develop a method to test the various approaches of reflexology. No problem according to Dr. Posse. 

We are learning at this point a methodology that could used to test and verify different approaches. And we can make this a global effort with other universities coming onboard. 

We can also test the effects of reflexology on a wide range of disorders. It is an unlimited list. 

We are responding to your input and designing the next series of fMRI scans around stroke. The revised protocol for stroke is about done in record time.

We need your help. We need to hire what is called a post doc to analyze this data from the proof of concept part of this research project (phase 2). 

In order to enter the medical world we need proof of concept evidence. The data right now is just sitting there. So if we are to complete the phase 2 of this research project we need you. If you have donated thank you. If you have thought about donating please give now. 

The faster we get phase 2 analyzed the faster we get what Dr. Posse called valuable and beautiful data into the mainstream of medicine. And the faster we get reflexology moving towards it true potential to help heal this planet on a global level. 

Thank you

Kevin Kunz 

Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology https://www.unmfund.org/fund/npar-fund/

Irish Reflexologist’s Institue’s GoFund me page

https://gofund.me/4ba5fbc7

 

Help fund reflexology research

Donate Now!! https://www.unmfund.org/fund/npar-fund/

On April 4 and 5, 2023 an fMRI scanner was used to create brain images of study participants while reflexology technique was applied to specific reflex areas of the foot by Kevin Kunz. The data collection was the culmination of two years of preparation and raising the necessary $25,000 to fund Phase One of Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology Research Project.

During Phase One use of fMRI brain imaging showed that reflexology technique application produces “significant results found to be intriguing.” Dr. Stefan Posse, neuroscientist heading the research, sees the results to be so intriguing that perceptions about how the human body works could be changed.

Additional funds are urgently being sought for Phase Two of the research project, analysis of the thousands of brain images gathered during the fMRI scans. The quicker funds are raised the faster will be moved forward the possibility of an exploratory grant from the National Institute of Health. Resulting with the full reporting and publication of results are additional grants and the inspiration for studies by other neuroscientists.

Data collection for Phase One of Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology Research Project was conducted at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR). Researchers are reflexologists Barbara and Kevin Kunz and neuroscientists Dr. Stefan Posse of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and Dr. Essa Youcab of the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. All researchers volunteered their time and efforts.

Data collection continues during summer 2023 with study participants who have experienced a stroke.

Donate Now!!! https://www.unmfund.org/fund/npar-fund/

Funding Phase Two will result in the hiring for a year a post doctoral expert to draw needed conclusions from the data about what happened to activity in the brain as indicated by blood oxygen levels as reflexology technique was applied. Indications that reflexology technique results in changes in brain activity create “proof of concept.” Further, clinical research such as with individuals who have experienced stroke provide an opportunity to assess changes in brain activity associated with stroke and possible therapeutic applications.

An fMRI is used to assess activity in the brain to diagnose conditions such as: epilepsy, mental illnesses (i, e, schizophrenia), neurological conditions (i. e. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson's disease), tumors, and pain.

Help fund reflexology research

On April 4 and 5, 2023 an fMRI scanner was used to create brain images of study participants while reflexology technique was applied to specific reflex areas of the foot by Kevin Kunz. The data collection was the culmination of two years of preparation and raising the necessary $25,000 to fund Phase One of Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology Research Project.

During Phase One use of fMRI brain imaging showed that reflexology technique application produces “significant results found to be intriguing.” Dr. Stefan Posse, neuroscientist heading the research, sees the results to be so intriguing that perceptions about how the human body works could be changed.

Additional funds are urgently being sought for Phase Two of the research project, analysis of the thousands of brain images gathered during the fMRI scans. The quicker funds are raised the faster will be moved forward the possibility of an exploratory grant from the National Institute of Health. Resulting with the full reporting and publication of results are additional grants and the inspiration for studies by other neuroscientists.

Data collection for Phase One of Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology Research Project was conducted at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR). Researchers are reflexologists Barbara and Kevin Kunz and neuroscientists Dr. Stefan Posse of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and Dr. Essa Youcab of the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. All researchers volunteered their time and efforts.

Data collection continues during summer 2023 with study participants who have experienced a stroke.

Funding Phase Two will result in the hiring for a year a post doctoral expert to draw needed conclusions from the data about what happened to activity in the brain as indicated by blood oxygen levels as reflexology technique was applied. Indications that reflexology technique results in changes in brain activity create “proof of concept.” Further, clinical research such as with individuals who have experienced stroke provide an opportunity to assess changes in brain activity associated with stroke and possible therapeutic applications.

Note: An fMRI is used to assess activity in the brain to diagnose conditions such as: epilepsy, mental illnesses (i, e, schizophrenia), neurological conditions (i. e. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson's disease), tumors, and pain.

Research to Begin: Neural Pathways in Applied Reflexology Underway

The research study Neural Pathways in Applied Reflexology is about to begin.

Money has been raised to conduct the first phase of the study. Thanks to all of those who so generously contributed following fund raising in spring 2021.

The research is lead by neuroscientist Dr. Stefan Posse at University of New Mexico (UNM) Medical School’s Human Brain Imaging Research Laboratory. (https://vivo.health.unm.edu/display/n302957944) Reflexology knowledge and application is provided by Barbara and Kevin Kunz. All three are volunteering their efforts. Our thanks to the non-profit UNM Foundation for administering the donations.

Studied in real time by fMRI will be what happens in the brains of research participants as reflexology is applied to a specific reflex area of their feet. Neuroscientists will then assess the resulting images to determine which parts of the participants’ brains respond to the stimulation of reflexology.

What has happened so far:

• Fund raising goals met

• The protocol drawn up

• The protocol has been approved by the IRB (Institutional Research Board) of the School of Medicine, University of New Mexico. A neurologist served as an expert adviser to the IRB.

• Pursuant to being included as authors of the study, Barbara and Kevin Kunz have completed training as Biomedical Research Investigators as well as in Conflict of Interest as required by the School of Medicine, University of New Mexico.

Recruiting of study participants is the next step.

In a second clinical phase of the research, brain imaging will be followed with study participants who experience a specific health concern.

Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology https://www.unmfund.org/fund/npar-fund/

From the moment the reflexologist’s hands start their work, the relaxation—and more—begins.

Copyright- DK/Penguin

Yes, measuring real-time as reflexology is applied, EEG testing shows that the brain immediately goes into a more relaxed state as reflexology work commences. 

But there’s more. The creation of brain waves indicating relaxation as measured by EEG is not the only effect of reflexology work on the brain shown by real-time measurements.  

fMRI Testing

Real-time measurement by fMRI shows reflexology technique prompts activation of a particular part of the brain when technique is applied to a specific part of the foot. 

• The part of the brain responsible for short-term memory shows more blood flow when reflexology technique is applied to the side of the big toe.

• The part of the brain responsible for integrating body, mind and spirit—the insula—shows more blood flow when reflexology technique is applied to the adrenal gland reflex area. The insula integrates actions to balance emotions, homeostasis, and pain center.

• The left frontal lobe is activated by reflexology technique applied to the eye reflex area of the right foot. This is a part of the brain responsible for writing, movement, as well as personality traits such as problem solving, spontaneity, memory, language, initiation, judgement, impulse control, and social and sexual behavior. The cerebellum was also activated by technique applied to the eye reflex area. The cerebellum is responsible for posture, balance, and coordination of movements.

• Technique applied to the eye, shoulder and small intestine reflex areas of the foot resulted in activation in the brain of areas related to the foot and also to the areas of the brain related to the eye, shoulder and small intestine.

Doppler Sonogram Testing

Then there’s improved blood flow to the kidneys and intestines when technique is applied to the kidney and intestine reflex areas respectively as shown in real-time measurements by Doppler sonogram. 

General Effects

In addition there’s the general influence of reflexology work shown by research: pain relief; improved blood flow to the feet; decrease in heart rate and blood pressure; increase in oxygen saturation and lowering of the respiratory rate.

Taking a Tour

Now you can tell your clients or imagine yourself what’s happening as reflexology is applied to the feet. Give or imagine a guided tour as you point out the sites of influence: temporal lobe reflex area, improved blood flow for part of the brain responsible for short term memory; kidney reflex area, blood flow to the kidneys improving; same with intestine reflex area; adrenal reflex area, straight to a part of the brain important to integrating body, mind and spirit; eye reflex area, influencing parts of the brain responsible for moving.

Evidenced Based Reflexology Research: For Health Professionals and Researchers

fMRI Research Foot Reflexology

fMRI Research Foot Reflexology

by Barbara & Kevin Kunz

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies provide illustration of some of reflexology’s basic tenets. In three separate studies, Hong Kong researchers explored with fMRI what happens in the brain when pressure or technique is applied to specifc reflex areas of the left foot. Their finding: the specific parts of the brain activated by such work correlates with reflexology’s theory and intended use.

In one study, reflexology applied to a specific part of the foot activated the reflected area. Specifically technique stimulation applied to the inner lateral corner of the left great toe activated the right temporal lobe, the part of the brain related to the reflex area to see if this would activate the part of the brain reflected by this reflex area, the right temporal lobe.

In another study, reflexology technique stimulation of the eye reflex area activated a region of the brain matching acupupoint stimulation of stroke patients with vision defects but not the visual part of the brain.

In a third study, reflexology pressure work was compared to electro-acupuncutre work. This study is discussed in detail in below. The above-mentioned studies will be detailed in the future.

The studies were presented at the NeuroImage Meeting, the Annual Meeting of the Organization of Human Brain Mapping, 2005 and 2006. The researchers found that the“fMRI is a useful to investigate the central neural pathway of reflexology” The researchers, Annie M. Tang, Geng Li, Chan C.C., Edward Yang, K.K.K. Wong and R. Li are with the University of Hong Kong.

During the study“Comparison of Foot Reflexology and Electro-Acupuncture: An fMRI study,” the researchers used fMRI to compare what happens in the brain when pressure is applied to foot reflexology’s adrenal gland reflex area and what happens when electrical stimulation is applied to acupuncture’s K1 point, both located in approximately the same area of the foot. What they found was that the areas of the brain activated by both “were mostly localized at insula region....The stimulated reflex zone and acupoint is the treatment point for psychological anxiety, inflammation and asthma according to Reflexology and Chinese medicine. The activation in insula demonstrated that massage (reflexology) or acupuncture stimuli at the point may probably regulate emotional and pain effects. Our results are consistent with the results in psychological asthma. Also, our results indicate that massage (reflexology) has the same function as acupuncture....” Annie M. Tang, Geng Li, Edward S. Yang, “Comparison of Foot Reflexology and Electro-Acupuncture: An fMRI study,” The Jockey Club MRI Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 474 TH-PM; Presented at Twelfth Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping; NeuroImage 31 (2006) 237

The insula is associated with emotions, pain and visceral functions as well as integration of homeostatic information. According to Dr. Martin Paulus, a psychiatrist at the University of California, San Diego, the mind and body are integrated in the insula.”The insula itself is a sort of receiving zone that reads the physiological state of the entire body and then generates subjective feelings that can bring about actions like eating, that keep the body in a state of internal balance.” (Blakeslee, Sandra, “A Small Part of the Brain, and its Profound Effects,” New York Times.com February 6, 2007)

The fMRI study showed that reflexology stimuli activates other areas of the brain, one of which receives information about sensory information such as pressure to the feet. This area is the somatosensory cortex, the homunculus or the “little man,” a representation of the body projected onto the brain. Reflexologists view the reflexology chart as a representation of the body projected onto the foot. The fMRI study thus shows that stimuli applied to the representation of the body on the foot communicates with the representation of the body in the brain. (Kunz and Kunz have long contended that the foot reflexology chart is one of several “homunculi” of the body. At least five parts of the brain are organized as a homunulus.)

The implications of the fMRI study are many. Among them is an understanding of other recent studies. For one, reflexology work was found to improve pain tolerance and pain threshold. (Carol Samuel “The effects on reflexology on pain threshold and tolerance in an ice-pain experiment on healthy human subject,” May 13, 2007, International Congress on Complementary Medical Research (Conference)) 

The fMRI study has found a direct correlation between pressure to a single reflex area of the foot and one of the brain’s processing areas for pain, the insula. This same area of the brain helps integrate homeostatic responses and may help explain results obtained in other research studies that link reflexology to changes in the body’s viscera. 

Austrian researchers, for example, found improved blood flow to the kidneys after reflexology technique was applied to the kidney reflex area. In another study, Austrian researchers found the same results with an intestine reflex areas and blood flow to the intestines. Further research has demonstrated a change in blood sugar level (pancreas function) as well as functions of the heart.

Such results support a contention by Barbara and Kevin Kunz that reflexology’s stimulation of pressure to the feet, by definition, communicates with and creates change in the body’s homostasis. The rationale is that in order to walk the body must see itself and fuel itself. The fMRI study demonstrates an actual mechanism with the body to explain such a theory.

Tang Annie M., Li Geng., Chan C.C., Wong K.K.K., Li R. and Edward Yang Brain Activation at Temporal Lobe Induced by Foot Reflexology: an fMRI Study, 11th Annual NeuroImage Meeting. 2005, 1445. (Publication No. :102229) www.humanbrainmapping.org
Tang M.Y., Li G., Chan C.C., Wong K.K.K., Li R. and Yang E.S., Vision Related Reflex Zone at the Feet: An fMRI Study, 11th Annual NeuroImage Meeting. 2005, 1431. (Publication No. : 102226)

Annie M. Tang, Geng Li, Edward S. Yang, “Comparison of Foot Reflexology and Electro- Acupuncture: An fMRI study,” The Jockey Club MRI Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 474 TH-PM; Presented at Twelfth Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping www.humanbrainmapping.org; NeuroImage 31 (2006) 237

Scientists Use Functional MRI to Validate Reflexology Tenets

This is a bit dated but it is good info. -Editor

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies are about to change reflexology, providing illustration of some of reflexology's basic tenets. In three separate studies, Hong Kong researchers explored with fMRI what happens in the brain when pressure or technique is applied to specifc reflex areas of the left foot. Their finding: the specific parts of the brain activated by such work correlates with reflexology's theory and intended use.

Albuquerque, NM (PRWEB) February 11, 2008 -- Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies are about to change reflexology, providing illustration of some of reflexology's basic tenets. In three separate studies, Hong Kong researchers explored with fMRI what happens in the brain when pressure or technique is applied to specifc reflex areas of the left foot. 

Their finding: the specific parts of the brain activated by such work correlates with reflexology's theory and intended use.

In one study, reflexology applied to a specific part of the foot activated the reflected area. Specifically technique stimulation applied to the inner lateral corner of the left great toe activated the right temporal lobe, the part of the brain related to the reflex area. of the brain inner lateral corner of the left great toe to see if this would activate the part of the brain reflected by this reflex area, the right temporal lobe.

In another study, reflexology technique stimulation of the eye reflex area activated a region of the brain matching acupupoint stimulation of stroke patients with vision defects but not the visual part of the brain.

In a third study, reflexology pressure work was compared to electro-acupuncture work. This study is discussed in detail in below. The above-mentioned studies will be detailed in the future.

The studies were presented at the NeuroImage Meeting, the Annual Meeting of the Organization of Human Brain Mapping, 2005 and 2006. The researchers found that the"fMRI is a useful to investigate the central neural pathway of reflexology" The researchers, Annie M. Tang, Geng Li, Chan C.C., Edward Yang, K.K.K. Wong and R. Li are with the University of Hong Kong.
During the study "Comparison of Foot Reflexology and Electro-Acupuncture: An fMRI study," the researchers used fMRI to compare what happens in the brain when pressure is applied to foot reflexology's adrenal gland reflex area and what happens when electrical stimulation is applied to acupuncture's K1 point, both located in approximately the same area of the foot. 

What they found was that the areas of the brain activated by both "were mostly localized at insula region. The stimulated reflex zone and acupoint is the treatment point for psychological anxiety, inflammation and asthma according to Reflexology and Chinese medicine. The activation in insula demonstrated that massage (reflexology) or acupuncture stimuli at the point may probably regulate emotional and pain effects. Our results are consistent with the results in psychological asthma. Also, our results indicate that massage (reflexology) has the same function as acupuncture." Annie M. Tang, Geng Li, Edward S. Yang, "Comparison of Foot Reflexology and Electro-Acupuncture: An fMRI study," The Jockey Club MRI Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 474 TH-PM; Presented at Twelfth Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping; NeuroImage 31 (2006) 237

The insula is associated with emotions, pain and visceral functions as well as integration of homeostatic information. According to Dr. Martin Paulus, a psychiatrist at the University of California, San Diego, the mind and body are integrated in the insula. "The insula itself is a sort of receiving zone that reads the physiological state of the entire body and then generates subjective feelings that can bring about actions like eating, that keep the body in a state of internal balance." (Blakeslee, Sandra, "A Small Part of the Brain, and its Profound Effects," New York Times.com February 6, 2007)

The fMRI study showed that reflexology stimuli activates other areas of the brain, one of which receives information about sensory information such as pressure to the feet. This area is the somatosensory cortex, the homunculus or the "little man," a representation of the body projected onto the brain. Reflexologists view the reflexology chart as a representation of the body projected onto the foot. The fMRI study thus shows that stimuli applied to the representation of the body on the foot communicates with the representation of the body in the brain. (Kunz and Kunz have long contended that the foot reflexology chart is one of several "homunculi" of the body. At least five parts of the brain are organized as a homunulus.)

The implications of the fMRI study are many. Among them is an understanding of other recent studies. For one, reflexology work was found to improve pain tolerance and pain threshold. (Carol Samuel "The effects on reflexology on pain threshold and tolerance in an ice-pain experiment on healthy human subject," May 13, 2007, International Congress on Complementary Medical Research (Conference)) The fMRI study has found a direct correlation between pressure to a single reflex area of the foot and one of the brain's processing areas for pain, the insula. 

This same area of the brain helps integrate homeostatic responses and may help explain results obtained in other research studies that link reflexology to changes in the body's viscera. Austrian researchers, For example, found improved blood flow to the kidneys after reflexology technique was applied to the kidney reflex area. In another study, Austrian researchers found the same results with an intestine reflex areas and blood flow to the intestines. Further research has demonstrated a change in blood sugar level (pancreas function) as well as functions of the heart.

Such results support a contention by Kunz and Kunz that reflexology's stimulation of pressure to the feet, by definition, communicates with and creates change in the body's homeostasis. The rationale is that in order to walk the body must see itself and fuel itself. The fMRI study demonstrates an actual mechanism with the body to explain such a theory.

Tang Annie M., Li Geng., Chan C.C., Wong K.K.K., Li R. and Edward Yang Brain Activation at Temporal Lobe Induced by Foot Reflexology: an fMRI Study, 11th Annual NeuroImage Meeting. 2005, 1445. (Publication No. :102229) www.humanbrainmapping.org
Tang M.Y., Li G., Chan C.C., Wong K.K.K., Li R. and Yang E.S., Vision Related Reflex Zone at the Feet: An fMRI Study, 11th Annual NeuroImage Meeting. 2005, 1431. (Publication No. : 102226)
Annie M. Tang, Geng Li, Edward S. Yang, "Comparison of Foot Reflexology and Electro-Acupuncture: An fMRI study," The Jockey Club MRI Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 474 TH-PM; Presented at Twelfth Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping www.humanbrainmapping.org; NeuroImage 31 (2006) 237

Author: Barbara Kunz- Reflexology Research Project http://www.reflexology-research.com (Reflexology Research Project)

Nadine's Left Hand- Reflexology and Paralysis

About a month ago Nadine had a stroke. It paralyzed her left side. Because of all of the shuffling that goes on in these situations we didn't get to her until three weeks later. The family got started with instructions I phoned in. I emphasized focusing on the eye/ear area because of our unique experiences with spinal cord injury.

While we have a lot to say of this subject but pictures speak louder than words. This video was taken at her third session.

When we were working with spinal cord injury we noticed a crossover effect when you applied pressure  to the eye/ear area. This is the key area for paralysis. See http://www.reflexology-research.com/paralysisreport.htm 

The eye/ear area is not an exact mirror image area unlike the rest the reflex areas. It is according to recent functional MRI studies a "polysensory area" which means it involves several senses. Eyesight for example involves more than one sense. And the same area in the brain that lights up in brain imaging is also associated with stroke. 

We would be working on one foot and the hand (quadriplegia) or the foot (paraplegia) would move. We called it the "crossover effect". Interestingly we had more effect on the quadriplegic than the paraplegics. 

It makes me wonder if because the interruption is outside of the spinal cord and in the brain itself if this could explain the quickness of the results.  One week is a really short time for this kind of response. 

How will this hold up with other stroke patients? We don't know. But we are damn well going to find out.

All the best,

Barbara and Kevin 

http://www.reflexology-research.com 

http://www.dk.com/reflexology 

Tweet me @twitter.com/footreflexology

Facebook www.facebook.com/kevin.kunz 

Finding Science in Acupuncture - WSJ.com

How researchers view acupuncture gives a clue to how reflexology can be seen as well. “Medical Science Decoding Acupuncture Therapy” was the title of a recent Wall Street Journal article (March 23, 2010, p. D1). Statements about acupuncture’s mechanisms of action—how it works—sound similar to research discoveries about reflexology. “Studies in the early 1980’s found that acupuncture works in part by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, much like vigorous exercise does.… “Now, a growing body of research suggests that it may have several mechanisms of action. Those include stimulating the blood flow and tissue repair at the needle sites and sending nerve signals to the brain that regulate the perception of pain and re-boot the autonomic nervous system, which governs unconscious functions such as heart beat, respiration and digestion, according to Alejandro Elorriaga, director of the medical acupuncture program at McMasters University in Toronto which teaches a contemporary version to physicians.” The article notes that studies show acupuncture “Has proven effective in reducing nausea and fatigue caused by chemotherapy.” In addition, the article discusses findings about acupuncture resulting from neuroimaging such as the fMRI and EEG showing special effects on the brain.

Hmmm. Maybe medical science could decode reflexology too. Let’s see how reflexology and its research stacks up by the above measures. Stimulating blood flow: separate studies show reflexology improves blood flow to the kidneys, intestines, brain and feet. Perception of pain: 27 studies show reflexology’s impact on pain relief. Re-boot the autonomic nervous system: multiple studies show reflexology’s impact on heart beat, respiration and digestion. Reducing nausea and fatigue caused by chemotherapy: 8 studies show reflexology’s effect on nausea, vomiting and fatigue for those receiving chemotherapy. fMRI and EEG: 5 studies using fMRI and 5 using EEG demonstrate the effects of reflexology.


Barbara Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com 

http://www.dk.com/reflexology 

Tweet me @twitter.com/footreflexology

Facebook www.facebook.com/kevin.kunz