Digestive Disorders & Reflexology

Reflexology has been very effective in treating digestive disorders, including constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and heartburn.

Reflexology is known to help increase circulation and the elimination of toxins from the body. That is why most therapists encourage clients to drink more water after a treatment - to help with the elimination process. Through its calming effect on the nervous system, reflexology also encourages the more efficient functioning of the digestive tract.

For maximum effect, I would recommend a course of 4-6 treatments. This may then be followed by occasional treatments for maintenance purposes.

Research

A pilot study was undertaken in Denmark on 20 women aged between 30 and 60 years, all suffering from chronic constipation. Each woman received 15 free treatments (2 per week for 4 weeks, minimum 2 days between each treatment, and then one treatment each week for 7 weeks).

Results of the study

	Before	After
Frequency of defecation-average	4.1 days	1.8 days
Painful defecation	40%	Nil
Normal stool consistency	Nil	50%
Reduction in use of laxatives		55%

Other health problems were reported by 95% of the women and 80% said that these health problems had changed for the better.

Source: "Using Reflexology to Relieve Chronic Constipation" (from the Danish Journal of Nursing, 24, June '92)

Another study was undertaken in China on forty residents of a "lodging house of the aged people". Twenty were diagnosed as constipated and twenty were not. Five days before the foot reflexology treatment all were given a carbon tablet and observed for the length of time required to begin and end black stool. All received 10 days of foot reflexology treatment. The carbon tablet was administered again and a comparison was made between the elimination times before the treatment and after.

Results of study:

After treatment, the interval between taking the carbon tablet and first black stool for the constipation group changed from an average of 45 hours to an average of 34 hours. The interval until last black stool changed from 77 hours to 51.5 hours. The non-constipation group remained unchanged in average times for first black stool and changed from 57.5 hours to 46 for last black stool after hours after treatment. It was concluded that not only do constipated individuals evacuate their bowels more quickly when receiving reflexology work but individuals with normal bowel function do also.

Source: Yuru, Yang; Lingyun, Chao; Guangling, Meng; Scuwe, Cao; Jia-Mo, Hao and Suhui, Zhang, "Exploring the Application of Foot Reflexology to the Preventions and Treatment of Functional Constipation," 1994 China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, p. 62