Reflexology Live

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Latest in Reflexology Paths Part 1

What’s new in the reflexology paths of China? For one thing, the rocks underfoot are now touted for their qualities. Walking on the paths has been refined with contra indications noted for those who should not participate in such “fitness walking.” Also new is a generation of cobblestone mats with questions raised for promises made for use of the “smart,” “intelligent” mats.

Reflexology paths, cobblestoned walking surfaces, are found throughout Asia. The beneficial pressure of reflexology is provided by gravity’s pull as one walks on a surface of cobblestones or other rocks. In China the tradition of Tap Shek (stone stepping) is now a part of the country’s 10-year Fitness Health Plan. It is a “fashionable fitness activity” with senior citizens eagerly lining up to take their turns at walking on paths in city parks. When it rains, the Chinese roll out the cobblestone-like surface of a reflexology mat.

Research confirms the health benefits. In a study frequently noted in Chinese articles about reflexology paths, Oregon Research Institute scientists compared walking on a usual surface to walking on a cobblestone mat. They found that the older adult mat-walking participants experienced a reduction in blood pressure and pain as well as an increased feeling of control over falls.

The Reflexology Path Kit

Part 2 Next- Stone for Building Reflexology Paths

Kevin Kunz
http://www.reflexology-research.com

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Thursday, March 24, 2011

China Invests in Reflexology

© Akhilesh. Image from BigStockPhoto.com.

What’s the return when an entire country invests in reflexology? China may provide some answers to such a question.

Banking on traditions, reflexology has attained a value in China. Educated and informed consumers have expectations from reflexology services, products and self-health activities. The net result is a diverse and widespread availability of reflexology.

Take reflexology paths, for example. They are found in city parks, the gardens of newly built homes and the common areas of themed housing developments.

Other industries have entered the business. Companies which provide stone for construction target market specific stone products to build reflexology paths. One company’s Web page shows 17 different path designs. Want an “intelligent” or “smart” path? Buy tourmaline and germanium stone as a raw material.

When it rains, the Chinese stay home and walk on a cobblestoned mat. Originally produced as on the side at blanket manufacturers with felt as a base into which plastic “cobblestones” were embedded, mat products have evolved and become specialized. Want a mat with a reflexology chart? More environmentally friendly and more durable? They’ve been developed.

Visit a pharmacy and you’ll find sandals with cobblestone-like soles for sale.

Reflexology services are available in a range of prices with decor styles. From mom-and-pop corner shops to sanitary white to opulent luxury salons, Chinese clients know their price range and anticipated services.

The government actively encourages reflexology. A Class-One license is given those who attain the highest mastery of skills, offered at medical facilities. The government recently noted a shortage of 1 million reflexologists and is encouraging filling this number with a more educated reflexologist. Reflexology is part of China’s 10-Year Fitness Plan. Funding for reflexology paths is included in monies given to cities to develop parks that encourage physical activities. The reflexology path is seen as a perfect, moderate exercise for the older Chinese with soccer fields and badminton courts for the younger.

Then there’s the research. When information about reflexology research first filtered out of China twenty years ago, it was presented at conferences held by the China Reflexology Association, an organization of 5,000 physicians. Since that time literally thousands of studies have been conducted meeting standards of randomized and controlled groups.

Barbara and Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

What’s the return on your investment in reflexology?

©Photogaphic credit-iqoncept from BigStockPhoto.com

What’s the return on your investment in reflexology?

This is a serious question for those considering the business of reflexology. ROI is an acronym for “Return on Investment,” a term commonly used in business to reflect the return realized from the money spent.

In other words if you invest in a single reflexology session or a series of reflexology what is your return on the amount of money you spent. Is investing in a staff reflexologist worth it? Is it worth building a reflexology path for your employees? Would a reflexology gym make sense economically?

When it comes to reflexology, the ROI includes monetary and non-monetary results. First, let’s consider monetary return. Reflexology as an employee benefit has been demonstrated to have a high rate of return on investment.

When Shisiedo built a reflexology path they also measured the return on their investment. They found there was greater employee productivity. Other studies have backed this up.

But there are less tangible returns that also impact the bottom line.

For individuals the results include:
   Less time off work for "malaise" or undefined illness
   Less stress
   Better sense of satisfaction with the work.
   Less sick time.

For businesses,
   Better employee morale
   Less absenteeism
   Better productivity
   Better work environment

For the health care system,
   Cut costs
   Less demand on the system
   Better satisfaction with the services offered
   Opportunties to offer citizens low cost but very effective services
   Cut down on the amount of money spent on needless drugs and surgery

Opportunities for Businesses: Reflexology in the Workplace
Numerous studies have found the availability of reflexology in the workplace to be economically advantageous to a business. Six Danish studies document the financial and health benefits when employees are offered reflexology services.

Four of the studies found that absenteeism was reduced with companies experiencing: savings of $35,000 over a 6-month period; from 11.4 to 8.5 days per person per year, with a savings of more than $US162,000; 66% less absenteeism; and a savings of US$3,300 a month in fewer sick days.

Four studies noted improvement in physical ailments: “97.5% (of the employees) had positive effects on their primary ailments. 77.5% on secondary problems. Medicine intake was reduced with 27.5%;” “235 employees were treated for a variety of health problems. 170 reported a good effect;” “79% (of 143 employees over 6 months) were either cured or helped with their primary health problem. 57% were helped with secondary problems. 30% became more satisfied with their jobs and 92% wanted to continue reflexology;” “156 employees (over a two-year period) who experienced positive effects on back pains, th

Opportunities for Government: Reflexology Public Works
As government and the economic times create interest in employment opportunities and health seeking potential, reflexology provides some answers. To cut costs of health care and to address employment for the unemployed, under-employed and the blind, reflexology training is a part of jobs programs in Malaysia, the Philippines and China. Then there’s the idea of reflexology paths in parks. Walking the reflexology path has long been a part of self health care in both in China and Germany. The Chinese government is encouraging the activity as a form of moderate exercise. Called Tap Shek (stepping stone), reflexology path walking is made easy by the presence of the cobblestoned paths in parks throughout China. In Germany, “barfusspad” (barefoot path) enthusiasts write instructions about how to get one’s municipality to fund the construction of paths in parks. A landmark study from Oregon Research Institute validates the activity as health producing, cost-cutting, quality of life improvement. In addition, those who participate find it to be a likeable experience and a unique exercising opportunity that they enjoy and, thus, will do.

A psychological effect is noted when reflexology services are available in the workplace. “There is a much better atmosphere in the department, because the employees feel there is something being done about their problems... Before we used to stay at home when ill, now we see the staff go to work anyway because they know they can get a treatment and feel better.”

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Reflexology Paths Gone Mad

Latest in Reflexology Paths
Reflexology paths have gone mad—with creativity. Or, so you’d think looking at the latest batch of photos from around the world. From a Shoez store in Singapore to a Kneipp path/bath in Italy, you’ve never seen anything like them.

The Kneipp Path Wellness Route is from Exar of Italy, maker of relaxation and stress therapy equipment. It includes water features that spray the legs with warm water as one walks through the reflexology path surface of Carrara marble. “The Wellness Route is much more than a Kneipp route—a never felt sensation is expecting you, but first of all look at its structure. It is a wellness system featured by an unusual shape. To occupy the minimum space the course expands like a spiral: this gives it the attractive look of a big snail, evoking babies’ toys. The floor is made in spheroid cobblestones (diameter 25-40mm) of Carrara marble to provide the sole of the foot with an efficacious massaging effect. The perimeter is made of 22 columns in anticorrosive metal, epoxily painted linked together by 21 sheets of tempered crystal.” http://www.exar.it/prod/camminoe.htm

Another product from the company is the Hydromassage Scottish Shower Cabin, “…an advanced wellness device that gives beneficial, pleasant, immediate results. Its working is based on hot water cycles (38° C) alternating with cold water ones (10° C), according to a program regulated by a microprocessor. You can choose one of the automatic programs or set the session manually as you like. In the automatic programs the hot-cold cycles massage separately calves, thighs, thorax and head, with the special programs more parts are massaged together. … “On the basis of Sprizzy you find Carrara marble-made cobblestones for true plantar reflexology, on the ceiling optical fibres light sequence with relaxing effect. The wellness feeling is immediate.” http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/exar/kneipp-path-63613-174782.html

In Singapore the Shoes retail store was designed by a student at the Temasek Design School. The store provides “A unique retail environment concept which (is) inspired by the shoe sole patterns that is applied as the flooring texture and material. Creative and innovative display of the merchandise attracts the attention of shoppers. A “trendy” shopping experience which includes its glowing floor, variations of horizontal plane height thus an elderly-friendly store concept which integrates the anti-slip rubber flooring and foot-reflexology pebbles path at two corners.”
http://www-des.tp.edu.sg/des_home/des_alumni/des_graduate_portfolio08/des_grad08_iad/des_grad07_iad_iskandar/des_grad08_iad_iskandar_1.htm

Barbara Kunz