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Reflexology in oncology patients
Reflexology in oncology patients
Foot reflexology or Reflex Zone Therapy could help to improve some symptoms and the quality of life of the oncology patient. I also show you at this article some scientific studies that corroborate this.
If you are or have been an oncology patient, foot reflexology or Reflex Zone Technique - TRZ - is a nursing care that can help you to alleviate some symptoms and side effects of medical treatments, as well as improve your quality of life.

It is an ideal complement to conventional medical treatments, as long as it is provided by highly qualified health professional. 


What does this technique consist of?

It is a painless and very relaxing manual technique in which gentle and precise pressure is applied to the reflex points. According to its paradigm, most of the muscles, joints, organs, glands, nerves and tissues are "reflected" in the feet and other parts of the body. As a nurse, I work on these reflex points in a rigorous and person-specific way through stimulation and relaxation techniques.


Is there any scientific evidence for this?

Although this is a very old technique, it was for the first time in 2008 that Nakamaru T. proved through functional magnetic resonance imaging that the stimulation of certain reflex points on the feet induced a corresponding somatosensory process in the stimulated reflex zone. Neuroimaging could be used to examine the effects of reflexology. You can read more about this study here: "Somatotopical realtionships between cortical activity and reflex areas in reflexology; a functional magnetic resonance imaging study". 


Why do people with cancer use it?

This technique complements orthodox medical treatments very well ( It will never be an alternative to the mediacal treatment) and can help patients to cope better with the disease. It can help them to improve their physical condition, quality of life and emotional well-being.

Although in Spain this technique is little known and there are very few health professionals who do it, in some European countries such as England, its study and professional certification are regulated by official institutions. 

In England, the leading European cancer hospital, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, offers this technique as part of its portfolio of services. It is also applied in many other hospitals, such as the world's leading hospital for Integrative Medicine, the Royal London Hospital in London.


I have or have had cancer, how can this technique help me?

 There is some scientific evidence that show how reflexology could help you to alliviate or reduce certain physical and psychological symptoms before, during and after medical treatments, as well as increase your quality of life. Foot reflexology could help to ...

  1. Decrease severe fatigue "The Effects of Reflexology on Fatigue Severity of Patients with Cancer". 
  2. Improve nausea and vomiting and decrease consumption of antiemetics "The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Digestive or Lung Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial". 
  3. Significantly decrease Pain "Foot Reflexology: An intervention for pain and nausea among inpatients with cancer". 
  4. Significantly decrease Anxiety "Effect of Foot Reflexology and Aromatherapy on Anxiety and Pain During Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer". 
  5. Physical improvement and recovery of optimism in patients with Lymphedema. "Experiences of breast cancer related lymphoedema and the use of reflexology for managing swelling: A qualitative study".
  6. Reducing symptoms and increasing functional and general health status in breast cancer patients. "The effect of reflexology on the quality of life with breast cancer patients".
  7. Decrease Pain and Fatigue and Increase Quality of Life in Gynecologic Cancer Patients "Effects of Reflexology and Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Pain, Fatigue, and Quality of Life during Chemotherapy in Gynecologic Cancer Patients".
  8. Having a positive effect on fatigue, sleep quality, pain and quality of life in breast cancer patients during radiotherapy."The Effect of Reflexology on the Pain-Insomnia-Fatigue Disturbance Cluster of Breast Cancer Patients During Adjuvant Radiation Therapy". 
  9. Decrease Anxiety, Depression, Improve Quality of Life and Pain in Cancer/Palliative Patients "Complementary Therapies for Patients with Cancer: Reflexology and Relaxation in Integrative Palliative Care. A Randomized Controlled Comparative Study".
  10. Reducing pain, fatigue, bloating and urinary frequency and improving quality of life in patients with rectal colon cancer. "Effects of foot massage applied in two different methods on symptom control in colorectal cancer patients: Randomised control trial".
  11. Improving dyspnoea in patients with advanced cancer."Nonpharmacological Interventions for Managing Breathlessness in Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Systematic Review".

Would you like to hear a testimonial from an oncology patient who used reflexology?


Who can I put myself in good hands ?

Make sure that the person giving you this technique is a highly qualified health professional with extensive professional experience in the clinical and hospital field, as well as having official health authorisations and being registered with the corresponding bodies. To make sure you can ask me directly about my training, professional experience and collegiate numbers. My credentials are: 

Bárbara López Martí is: 

At Reflexions we always emphasise that you should visit your doctor and follow his or her instructions. This nursing care is a complement and never a substitute for medical treatment. 

You can contact us through this form: https://www.reflexions.es/contacto.html


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