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Reflexology Book

Alkatran

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My girlfriend just received a book on reflexolog from her mother. Being the skeptic I am, I decided to read through it and see what the other side was saying.

Well, the book didn't say anything about 'energy' or 'chi', and was half taken up with pictures on how to do specific things (which makes sense in the context the book was written), I found a few things that I could ask about. (the book was surprisingly... erm mundane sounding, I can see why people would accept this)

1: The fact that our feet now have to deal with 'hard smooth' surfaces instead of 'natural irregular' ones kept coming up (in fact, a few exercises where actually described). Is there any fact behind this or is it standard "Well that's the way it used to be..."?

2: The idea that pressuring one part of the body affects another. I can see this happening (due to the brain), but not to the depth reflexology takes it?? Any relevant information?

3: They cited studies (although no actual footnotes or references or bibliography, only "a study in 1992 by an american research team..., etc"). Any links to studies?

4: The stated (paraphrased) "Patients may feel sick when treatment begins because toxins are being cleansed" This was stated once and definitely not supported. Would pressing one someones feet really 'cleanse' their 'toxins'?

On an unrelated note, my girlfriend says that taking a bath in baking soda will 'open the pores' and allow 'toxins' to escape through them. Sounds like BS to me. Opinions?
 
Complete layman's rather uninformed answer:

1: That's the reason shoes were invented. And as time goes on, the shoes keep getting better at their job.

2: After reading point 4 and then getting a glimpse of how far reflexology took it, I would say that's too far.

3: A citing that doesn't lead anywhere is not a citing.

4: "Toxins being cleansed"? What do they mean? Is it bad wording for toxins being removed, or do they think that if for example lead is "cleansed", it won't be toxic to keep in your body anymore? Also, what is defined as toxins anyway, according to this book? The answer to that should be telling.

As for your girlfriend's claim... To my knowledge, most of what I consider toxic for my body, and which also keeps being stored in my body (such as lead) isn't stored right beneath the upper layers of skin, thus opening the pores should pretty much do diddly squat.
 
"Toxins being cleansed" is big in many branches of sCAM. My dad got a lot of that kind of BS when he had prostate cancer (which he's now in remission after radiation treatment). Chelation, bowel cleansers, ear candling, massage all remove toxins, although which toxins and how they are removed is more nebulous.
 
Alkatran said:
My girlfriend just received a book on reflexolog from her mother. Being the skeptic I am, I decided to read through it and see what the other side was saying.

Well, the book didn't say anything about 'energy' or 'chi', and was half taken up with pictures on how to do specific things (which makes sense in the context the book was written), I found a few things that I could ask about. (the book was surprisingly... erm mundane sounding, I can see why people would accept this)

1: The fact that our feet now have to deal with 'hard smooth' surfaces instead of 'natural irregular' ones kept coming up (in fact, a few exercises where actually described). Is there any fact behind this or is it standard "Well that's the way it used to be..."?
Have these people TRIED walking across, say, a gravel driveway? Not that round pebble stuff, the white rock I grew up with. Or have them try running through a pine forest and see what they say about 'natural' surfaces. Trust me, concrete is a GOOD thing. There's a reason it's as old as Rome.

2: The idea that pressuring one part of the body affects another. I can see this happening (due to the brain), but not to the depth reflexology takes it?? Any relevant information?
In the brain, indeed. Medical science had dissected thousands, probably millions, of bodies and has found NO special connection between the areas of the feet and major internal organs. Go get Penn and Teller's first season of Bu!!$h!t on DVD. They do a good job.

3: They cited studies (although no actual footnotes or references or bibliography, only "a study in 1992 by an american research team..., etc"). Any links to studies?
Hawk one is correct. Just saying 'several studies' is not a citiation. Look up how to cite properly in a book on usage and style.

4: The stated (paraphrased) "Patients may feel sick when treatment begins because toxins are being cleansed" This was stated once and definitely not supported. Would pressing one someones feet really 'cleanse' their 'toxins'?
Oh, dear. You've dived into the deep end of woo. If it does, where do these 'toxins' go? What 'toxins' are they? I have yet to see a biochemical mechanism. Rolfe may be a good one to ask, she has much knowledge on these things. Better than my paltry skills, at any rate.

On an unrelated note, my girlfriend says that taking a bath in baking soda will 'open the pores' and allow 'toxins' to escape through them. Sounds like BS to me. Opinions?
Click to expand...

Hmm. I have yet to see how baking soda open the pores, first off. Secondly, perhaps they are talking about sweat? Sweat has some chemical similarites to urine. If she really wanted to 'cleanse' she should be going to a sauna. Although, I see little harm in bathing in baking soda, unless it's going to play havoc with vaginal chemistry. That area can be very sensitive, biochemically. (so I've heard, anyway..no direct experience.) At least she's bathing..;)

Be gentle. Use laughter along with the doubt. I hope you can bring her around.
 
Hawk one said:
Complete layman's rather uninformed answer:

1: That's the reason shoes were invented. And as time goes on, the shoes keep getting better at their job.

2: After reading point 4 and then getting a glimpse of how far reflexology took it, I would say that's too far.

3: A citing that doesn't lead anywhere is not a citing.

4: "Toxins being cleansed"? What do they mean? Is it bad wording for toxins being removed, or do they think that if for example lead is "cleansed", it won't be toxic to keep in your body anymore? Also, what is defined as toxins anyway, according to this book? The answer to that should be telling.

As for your girlfriend's claim... To my knowledge, most of what I consider toxic for my body, and which also keeps being stored in my body (such as lead) isn't stored right beneath the upper layers of skin, thus opening the pores should pretty much do diddly squat.
Click to expand...

1. Ah, but the book does mention shoes. In fact, they discourage shoes on 'natural' terrain and encourage them on 'unnatural EVIL FLAT PAVEMENT'. They state that because parts of the foot aren't being 'stimulated' that those parts 'break down' and you end up with foot problems. Personnaly I don't see the problem with losing something I don't use, but what do I know?

2. Are there any accepted examples of it, though?

3. Agreed entirely. Where can I go to find studies of reflexology?

4. That' why I put "'" around the buzz words ;)

Come to think of it, if massaging the feet makes you better, what happens when you cut them?>
 
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