***URGENT*** Skeptic Exchange will close down very soon unless you visit Area 51 and vote for it!
2

1

A good friend of mine is convinced of the medical value involved in Reflexology, namely the branch of alternative medicine which believes that the soles of the feet are a kind of 'task manager' for the human body, and that pressure and manipulation of the area can diagnose and heal ailments in other areas. Her faith is such that she's said she'd visit a Reflexologist above a traditional (read: actual) doctor should she discover a tumour or something potentially terminal. This terrifies me as I can see nothing to it other than the placebo effect. Is there any actual, medical weight to reflexology which might complement traditional medicine?

flag

2 Answers

1

Reflexology is the manipulation of Qi. There is no scientific evidence for the existence of Qi.

In addition, the Wikipedia article on Qi is very biased.

link|flag
1 
Pretty much exactly as I suspected. The only evidence she has of its effectiveness is anecdotal. Thanks for the answer. – Marko Oct 16 at 11:59
If anyone has links to good scientific studies into Qi and/or reflexology please post and or summarise here. – rjstelling Oct 16 at 12:10
Meditation changes temperatures news.harvard.edu/gazette/2002/04.18/09-tummo.html My aunt studied Reflexology and gave me numerous treatments that made me feel great - but that's down to getting a foot rub rather than redirecting my Qi – Richard Craig Oct 19 at 13:47
1

links

NHS Evidence - complementary and alternative medicine : An overview of reflexology

Author's conclusions

There are few controlled trials on reflexology. Of those that have been published, all are methodologically flawed and their results are non-uniform. The effectiveness of reflexology is not supported by controlled clinical trials.

Other positive stories

An abridged collection of published research from Denmark, Germany,Britain, China, Switzerland and the USA by Sue Bennett MICHT IIHHT Advanced Reflexologist (!)

Recent research has revealed that asthmatic children have benefited from reflexology treatment.

link|flag

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.