However, for the modern family - particularly those who delay childbearing until later in their reproductive years - infertility has become a widespread phenomenon.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a child after a year of trying.

In 1978 - I was diagnosed with infertility due to blocked fallopian tubes and endometriosis. The medical system in my native country Denmark gave me 10-15% chance of falling pregnant after intervention.
(READ INGE’S INFERTILITY STORY)

In my 25 years of teaching - I have known many of the reflexologists in training - hoping that reflexology would help them or family members solve many huge health problems that by the normal medical system have not been successfully cured.

Reflexology in its simplicity has helped many and still does. However, the science of reflexology for many is potentially too simple to accept and in the early days - I soon discovered that components of the Chinese philosophy would be the ideal supplement to reflexology.

Reflexologists are not trained to be acupuncturists - however, we use the meridians as a diagnostic tool to understand disease-pathways. We use the five elements to understand the physiological behaviour of our patients.

The treatment-tool is still reflexology - but combining the two gives the therapist a better understanding as to why some reflexes are sensitive when they potentially should not be - or other reflexes are not sensitive - when we believe they should be.

Reflexes as per reflexology - commonly refers to the feet which have been mapped out to be a mirror image of the body organs and divided up as such.

The Chinese meridians commonly refers to the 12 acupuncture pathways covering the body parallel on both sides - and each of these meridians relate to one of our major organs and its functions. The purpose of this presentation is to link many of the infertility conditions and concerns to some of these 12 meridians and give a better understanding for the underlying start of the infertility.

I believe without doubt that we all think and understand - infertility - to be related to some hormonal imbalances. For example, oestrogen regulates our menstrual cycles and influences our sex organs and other vital functions. Furthermore, changes in our hormone levels are controlling our hunger, moods and energy levels.

Hormonal balance refers to the way oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, insulin, and other hormones entering the blood interact with each other.

The changes in the hormone levels are directly linked to our life-style! Hormones are made from proteins and fats such as fish, tofu, eggs, nuts, seeds and avocado.

When taking a closer look at some of the meridians and their organs that have an impact on the functions of our hormones we might start understanding the correlation of meridians, lifestyle and infertility.

The stomach: - as an organ controls digestion - it receives nourishment that is related to appetite, digestion and transport of food and fluids. Without the nourishing activities of the stomach, the other organs in the body cannot function.

The pancreas: - has considerable control over the body’s nourishment, since its secretions help digest all the main constituents of food - proteins, fats and starch. It is the crucial link in the process by which food is transformed into energy and blood. If this process of food transformation is not balanced, nourishment and energy are not available for important body functions.

The earth element: are represented by the stomach and pancreas meridians and their organs. The fertile and stable Earth we know as our ‘mother’ not only gives us the food we eat - the earth is our support on which we stand and lay ourselves to rest: our womb and our tomb.

The woman can be perceived as the ‘Earth’; she can be compared to the soil in the garden that must be prepared and in balance before it can receive and grow seeds. Just as the earth is round - the female figures are more of a round shape than the males, however heavy weight gain or weight loss show imbalances of the earth element. The pathways of the stomach and its partner the pancreas meridians confirm that many functions of the female hormonal system is directly linked to balanced nourishments and therefore correct acid/alkaline and blood sugar balances.

If a good quality seed (in the human case - sperm) is planted in an imbalanced environment, the seed or the sperm will not be able to develop adequately and will have problems taking ‘root’ and become fertilised.

Let us take a look at the endocrine glands and organs influenced by the stomach and pancreas meridians -

The stomach meridians run through the medial breasts sections - the nipples. Sore and swollen breasts, inverted nipples, fibroids or cysts in the breasts - confirm a hormonal imbalance that often during the menstrual cycle or ovulation become more apparent - however, the fundamental concern should be the acid/alkaline balance of our food intake.

The adrenal glands - Stress factors: - Stress is often the most ‘diagnosed’ condition that is blamed on many of the modern diseases - including infertility. However, we do need to acknowledge the fact that each time we choose to eat man-made food stuffs that are loaded with chemicals - this will be STRESSING OUR ORGANS in their process of metabolising these substances that are foreign to the body.

This process will diminish the energy levels in the cells commencing the beginning of a disease state. Furthermore, many modern societies are not eating enough of foods produced from our natural environment - the Earth - namely vegetables, fruits, herbs, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. These products are given to us by mother Earth for a reason - enabling the functions of our organs and hormonal glands.

Any type of stress - be it physical or emotional result in the immediate secretion of adrenaline and cortisol. However, since we are not physically ‘fighting’ or ‘fleeing’ as our ancestors would - our bodies do not utilise the excess glucose in the blood, released by the extra adrenaline. This raised glucose level triggers the release of even greater quantities of insulin with metabolic consequences.

Today - when stressed - most people tend to eat more of the wrong food - keeping the ‘chain’ of stress feelings alive

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO):- is a condition where the developing eggs that are normally ovulated each cycle remain trapped inside the ovary. After a while they swell with fluid and turn into cysts. This process is caused by the fact that the ovaries begin to produce excess of the male hormone testosterone, which is normally only produced in tiny amounts.

Telltale indicators in the face: - At the onset of problems, many young females show signs of acne along the jaw-line of the face. The young girl is often being advised to take the contraceptive pill - suppressing all the symptoms but not taking into account the primary cause. Interesting to note is that the medical profession has recognised the jaw-line acne to be related to hormonal imbalance. However, as the acne is congestion on the stomach meridian - what truly needs to be recognised is the imbalance with our acid/alkaline and therefore the development of congestions along the stomach meridian culminating in ovarian malfunction.

Further facial evidence of potential infertility due to dysfunctions of the ovaries can be observed by looking at the section between the nose and the upper lip. Increasingly, young females taking the oral contraceptive pills are developing signs of a ‘moustache’ or have developed vertical lines in the same area - this section is also on the stomach meridian. The vertical lines are common with the menopausal females - confirming her natural inability to conceive.

In the foot, the stomach meridians end in the second toes, as well as internally on the third toes. Telltales of problems with the meridians can be fungal toe nails, corns, bent or malformed toes - hammertoes and the like.

If the second toes are longer than the big toes, this can indicate a genetic weakness in the stomach meridians.

Thyroid imbalance: - Turning our stored body fat and the calories we eat into usable energy is a function done by the thyroid hormones. Thyroid function also depends on the level of progesterone, which is, in turn, tied to oestrogen levels. In the cycle of interaction between thyroid and oestrogen, low thyroid function and slow metabolism can mean an increase and imbalance of oestrogen. One of the many symptoms of imbalance is excessive menstrual periods.

Telltale indicator - the face: - You will notice that the internal sections of the pancreas meridians pass through the thyroid - and therefore have a profound impact on the functions of this gland. Furthermore, the meridians pass through the mouth and strong thirst or dry mouth give evidence of imbalances. A person who uses lip balm a lot confirms an imbalance!

A deep skin groove or a callous just below the metatarsal joint - on the thyroid reflex - is another indicator of imbalances.

The lateral breasts sections: - Lateral breasts disorders - lumps and cysts, sensitivity and swelling prior to menstruation or ovulation. Again, it is important to look beyond the breasts problems and instead relate to the meridians in question and take action on lifestyle changes - in this case the blood sugar levels.

Insulin resistance or insulin intolerance: - If there is a constant demand for insulin over years, the cells become desensitised and do not open anymore to take up the glucose out of the bloodstream to use and burn as energy. However, when there is no glucose in the cells, the pancreas produces even more insulin.

In the meantime, the liver will convert the excess glucose not used by insulin resistant cells to glycogen, which is then stored in the body. Insulin is secreted more and more frequently to deal with high blood sugar levels, but it is doing its job less and less effectively, which creates a craving for sweets, caffeine, alcohol and carbohydrates.

Telltale indicator - the feet:- Slightly bend big toes, or bending so much that bunions have developed are strong indicators of imbalances. Bunions occur on the pancreas meridians and enclose the thyroid reflexes -

Many females with bunions have been diagnosed with thyroid malfunction and are taking medication or visa versa - females starting with thyroid malfunction seem to develop bunions faster than others. In both cases - the ‘stress’ of the pancreas has been overlooked as the underpinning cause of imbalances. Many patients with bunions or even bursitis will often confirm a strong need for stimulants, as well as a strong need for being wanted and loved. Furthermore, many females with slight bent toes, or bunions, confirm menstrual problems e.g. heavy cycles, fibroids or endometriosis - often resulting in a hysterectomy!

Endometriosis - is a disorder in which normal endometrial tissue, which is supposed to line the uterus, begins to grow elsewhere in the body. This condition can be very painful, even disabling and classic symptoms of endometriosis is pelvic pain before and during menstruation, as well as during intercourse. The condition can result in adhesions and scarring, and potentially obstruct fertility. Uterine fibroids - are tumours of muscle tissue that imbed on the uterus wall. These fibroids can cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding, anaemia and bleeding between cycles. Blocked Fallopian tubes - are caused by pelvic inflammatory diseases, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or birth defects. Damaged or blocked tubes can prevent contact between the egg and sperm. HOWEVER - rather than treating each of these major infertility cases - as individual problems - the underpinning meridians and the associated organ the pancreas must not be forgotten - and in this case - the blood sugar level.

Telltale indicator - the feet : -Apart from already mentioned telltale signs - Deep cracks (fissures) and or heavy callous build-up around the heels - especially on the medial sections - are signs of imbalances.

Let us take a look at the endocrine glands and organs influenced by the liver and gallbladder meridians

The liver: - controls bile secretions and is involved in the storage and regulation of blood. It is the primary centre of metabolism, synthesizing proteins, neutralizing poisons and regulating blood sugar levels. It also stores glycogen (starch), changing it back to glucose (sugar) when needed for energy.

The gallbladder: - stores and secretes bile - a bitter yellow fluid continuously produced by the liver - and sends this bile down into the intestine where it aids the digestive process. Any disruption of the liver will affect the gallbladder’s bile secretion and disharmonies of the gallbladder will consequently affect the liver.

The Wood element:-The gallbladder and liver meridians belong to the wood element. Interesting to note will be that many of the congestions along the liver meridians in relation to infertility disorders - relate more to the male, whereas we earlier discussed the earth element to relate more to the female aspect.

In our analogy we will therefore be discussing the ‘wood element’ to be equal to the quality and quantity of the sperm (seed), which has to be ‘planted’ in the garden (female) - being the earth element in our analogy for the purpose for procreation.

However, procreation needs both an egg and sperm - in order to become a foetus. We will therefore be examining aspects of the meridian from both a male and female view point.

Important note: The wood element also refers to the quality and quantity of food intake.

Furthermore, the wood element refers to living, growing entities: trees, plants and the human body. The element refers to the growing structures; the roots, trunks and limbs of the trees and plants; the ligaments, tendons and muscles that hold the human body upright and together.

Anger, depression and emotional frustrations are associated with the wood element.

The ovaries - Looking at the meridians and their pathways will indicate that many of the organs are influenced by various meridians - in this case the ovaries. The ovaries have been discussed in connection to the stomach meridians and therefore the acid intake, however, we will now look at the effect the acid intake can have on the gallbladder meridians.

Migraines - Research has indicated that females who suffer from migraines normally experience this during changes in their hormone levels. There is a close link to oestrogen and serotonin levels in the brain. 60% of females confirm migraines just before or during menstruation. Too much oestrogen has also been proven to be directly linked to nausea and vomiting.

Gallstones - Research have proven that oestrogen increases the concentration of bile in the gallbladder. As the bile becomes thicker gallstones are formed, which is caused by the concentration of cholesterol and bile salts. Females with migraines or gallstones might also show this as being the underpinning reason for infertility.

Telltale indicator - the face: - Evidence of hormonal imbalances will often be supported by face-shaped brown blemishes on and around the cheeks - on a small section of the gallbladder meridians.

Deep cracks (fissures) or heavy callous build-up around the heels - especially on the lateral sections - might show evidence of pelvic problems relating to the gallbladder meridians.

It is time to study the liver meridians and some of the modern life-style associated congestions that interfere with the natural approach of fertility. Due to the fact that the liver meridians circles around the area of our sexual organs - the liver meridians have a very large impact on the functions of these.

Pituitary gland and hypothalamus: - The hypothalamus is responsible for the regulation of appetite, temperature and most important, emotions. It also regulates the pituitary gland, which in turn is responsible for the release of reproductive hormones.

Limited fertile cervical fluid: - A lack of a slippery cervical fluid produced during the woman’s cycle is often the most overlooked cause of infertility. For sperm to survive this fluid must be well balanced. Sperm need mucus with fertile characteristics to survive. Without it they die within an hour or two. Sperm can otherwise live 3-5 days in suitable mucus. Vaginal infection:-Vaginal infection can range from Chlamydia and herpes to the common yeast infection. Infections produce many aggravations, including their ability to mask cervical fluid. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) - This group of diseases are caused by germs passed from one person to another during sex. They are common and most are easily treatable. In females many of the above - when untreated can spread to pelvic inflammatory diseases - affecting the uterus and Fallopian tubes. Impotence and low sex drive:-Nearly half of all men and a quarter of all women who are on antidepressant medication (which stresses the liver) report problems in their sex lives, according to a survey. Men reported problems maintaining erections and a lower sex drive, while women said they lost their appetite for sex. Furthermore, depressed men suffer twice as often from impotence than others with a better balanced life. Low sperm count: - Many studies have shown that sperm counts among men in the ‘modern’ world have plummeted. Not only is there a sign of low sperm count but the formation and motility can be a problem.

Telltale - liver meridians: - Apart from the telltales that we already have discussed we will look at the big toes. The big toes can have an ‘upward’ bent toe. The whirl of the big toes - can look ‘swollen’ - representing the pituitary gland.

The chin represents the reproductive organs and abnormal hair (beard) growth, moles or acne indicate problems. (Females & males)

In 1994, concern was expressed after a study revealed that men who eat organically grown food might be nearly twice as fertile as those who do not.

The liver is the body’s ‘high-speed’ chemical processing plant. Everything you eat or drink has to pass through this large and extraordinary organ. A congested liver allows toxins that would otherwise have been screened and removed, to circulate round the body in the blood, causing damage to cells and therefore body systems.

Let us take a look at the endocrine glands and organs influenced by the bladder and kidney meridians

The Bladder:-The function of the bladder is to receive and excrete urine produced in the kidneys from the final portion of cloudy fluids transmitted from the lungs, small intestine and large intestine.

The kidneys regulate the amount of fluid in the body. Fluids are essential to life as it bathes the entire cellular system. The flow of fluids enables waste material to be collected and excreted in the form of urine. Enormous amounts of blood - flow through the kidneys to be purified and broken down into nutritional components for the body.

The water element: - The fluid of life is important for functions throughout the body, like the lymphatic flow, which helps to process and eliminate wastes and provides the ability to fight off infections and other foreign agents; and the flow of urine, saliva, perspiration, tears and sexual fluids.

It will be observed that the reproductive organs receive their nerve supply from the sacrum. Many women also experience severe back pain during their menstrual cycle. In both instances, the reproductive system is very active at this time.

So what have the kidneys and the bladder to do with the reproductive system, - and how do we understand infertility related to these organs?

The function of the uterus is to nourish through fluid the foetus during pregnancy. The function of the prostate is to produce a thin lubricating fluid, which forms part of the semen to aid the transport of sperm cells. This fluid is supposed to neutralize the acids present in the vagina and serves to sustain the vitality of sperm in the female reproductive tract.

The ovaries produce ova, as well as the hormones oestrogen and progesterone; similar the testes produce spermatozoa and the male hormone testosterone.

In order to understand the above - we need to look at the cell. Cells live in a watery environment known as tissue fluid. This fluid consists of quantities of potassium and sodium salts - outside is a high concentration of potassium and little sodium; inside the balance is reversed.

The kidneys and bladder meridians are all about balancing this fluid - the most important part of infertility - especially the potassium and sodium salts.

You might think that the best and only method of balancing this fluid is an intake of lots of water! However, you need to eat lots of food from the plant world, which contain high levels of minerals and fluid. These minerals are what balance the potassium and sodium in the cellular levels. The Chinese call this important aspect for jing or vital essence!!

Balancing this fluid - goes back to balancing the Acid/alkaline and blood sugar levels - and evidence of imbalances are all the various congestions we have already discussed manifesting along the stomach, spleen pancreas, and liver and gallbladder meridians.

A summary……

Super sick from fast food:-
Some years ago, Morgan Spulock made a documentary film in the USA to show what would happen to his body if he lived only on a diet of junk food. At the beginning of the documentary, the 33-year-old Morgan is the picture of health and happiness as he embarks on his takeaway challenge.

Within days, however, his new diet takes its toll. Little wonder - he is gobbling an astonishing 27300 kilojoules a day (a healthy intake is 10500 for men and 8400 for women). In the 30 days he gains more than 11 kg. His blood pressure has shot up, his cholesterol level has rocketed and he has lost his sex drive. He was urged by doctors to stop or he would die.

However, he argued he was not taking drugs or boozing heavily; he was doing what millions around the world do every day - Pigging out on greasy fast food!

Dr Daryl Isaacs, one of the three experts hired to monitor Morgan’s health, was stunned by his deterioration. Even worse, a test showed the impact on his internal organs. The liver test was the most shocking of all - it became very abnormal.

Keeping in mind that the liver and gallbladder represent the wood element, it is clear that the quality of food intake in any form - even the chemical intake of drugs - is particularly relevant here.
The nutrition guru and author Patrick Holford says that eating the right food is scientifically proven to boost your IQ, improve your mood, increase your energy levels, boost your memory and keep your mind ever young.

In his book Optimum Nutrition for the Mind, he lists five essential ‘brain foods’:-
Complex carbohydrates - such as whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds; fruits and vegetables are another good source as they are good foundations of the most important nutrient of all for the brain and nervous system: glucose, the fuel (wood) they run on.

Smart fats - are the essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega- 6, that are the ‘architects of higher intelligence.’ They have to be topped up through diet. Other than the water, our brains are 60% fat.

Amino acids - are the ‘alphabet of mind and mood’, the building blocks of protein that improve the brain’s talking. The words the brain uses to send messages from one cell to another are neurotransmitters and the letters they are built from are amino acids - obtained from vegetables and animal sources.

Intelligent nutrients - are vitamins and minerals that are the brain’s ‘master tuners’ and ‘best friends’. These include B vitamins, manganese and zinc. The brain needs vitamins and minerals to turn glucose into energy -

In conclusion:-

The science of Reflexology - helps clear congestions along the meridians - however, it is the responsibility of each individual person to obtain a healthy life-style - supporting the energy of each and every cell in the body.

Medical interventions promised only a 10-15% chance of success and Inge was convinced by her mother to seek reflexology. This resulted in an immense turning point for Inge’s future life. After the second of ten treatments Inge was expecting her first son - Daniel.

Inge and her family immigrated to South Africa from Denmark during 1981 (second time) where she established a very busy reflexology practice - that resulted in pressure from the public to teach others in the amazing therapy.

21 October 1983 - Inge was 8 months pregnant with her second son - Thomas when she conducted her first course with 16 students. This was the beginning of Inge’s pioneering work in uniting Western with Eastern insight into the Meridians and the Five Elements combining that with Reflexology which has given the Academy a high reputation world wide for its unique approach.

]]> http://www.vacuflex.com/?feed=rss2&p=104 http://www.vacuflex.com/?p=40 http://www.vacuflex.com/?p=40#comments Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:01:19 +0000 thomasdougans http://www.vacuflex.com/index.php/?p=40 By Charlene Lewis

Literature Study

DEFINITION

The definition found in the Oxford Medical dictionary explains that arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints categorized by swelling, warmth, redness, pain and restriction of movement. There are over 200 diseases that may cause arthritis including Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, gout, Tuberculosis and other infections.

GENERAL ANATOMY OF A JOINT

Any place where two bones meet is called a joint. The ends are covered by cartilage, which is a tough, elastic tissue that acts as a shock absorber and buffer. Around the joint and cartilage is a thick membrane or synovial membrane that contains lubricating fluid (synovial fluid) and allows the joints to move freely and painlessly. Outside the capsule is a small sac or cavity known as the bursa containing lubricating fluid for ease of muscle movement. The muscles are attached to the bones by tendons and the ligaments bind the bones together.

There area about 109 kinds of arthritis from very rare to very common. Treatment depends very much on what type of arthritis it is. The causes of arthritis are many from psoriasis, Reiters syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, gout and infections such as Tuberculosis or gonorrhoea. There may also be genetic factors involved excessive body weight and impairments in the body’s ability to repair cartilage. Some cases may be linked to a specific cause such as a previous injury, overuse of a joint occupationally or athletically or it could also be a congenital defect in the joint structure. Allergies to medicines and foods can also cause joint pain; tumour growth may also cause pain and inflammation to the nerves surrounding the joint. Arthritis in women may be related to the function of sex glands/ovaries. Sometimes arthritis can occur in postmenopausal women after ovarian activity has ceased, relief is often obtained by small doses of sex hormones.

The two most common forms of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is one of the main or most common forms of arthrtis.

This form of arthritis will be my main focus of study and most of my case studies are all osteoarthritis suffers. It affects people mainly over the age of 65; about 1 in 7 women at that age have symptoms of osteoarthritis.

The cartilage, which absorbs the shocks of joint motion wears down or degenerates leaving two surfaces of bone in contact with each other. The cartilage itself frays and splits and can eventually almost disappear. The body reacts and tries to repair itself by producing more bone and depositing it on the damaged area, which in turn forms spurs or osteophytes which gradually thicken and causes deformity of the joint and in some cases can prevent joint function completely. In most osteoarthritis cases there is very little or no inflammation present as with some other forms such as Rheumatoid arthritis. There can be pain, which is mostly localized but can sometimes be intense. Some people only feel pain when moving the joint or at the end of the day because of constant use throughout the day. There can also be pain if the person is inactive so it is also important to move/exercise the joint everyday. It is a very common problem and can increase with age, but is usually mild. People can also get it in there 30’s and 40’s. There are three common forms

This first form causes knobbly enlargement of the finger joint, the end joints become bony and the hands begin to assume the appearance associated with old age. There may be joint stiffness, but usually causes little difficulty. In this case there is initial swelling, redness and pain until the process is complete and after this there is no more pain. It occurs mainly in women in there 40’s and occurs earlier than normal arthritis. It appears not to worsen over time and is basically the same as osteoarthritis in exception of the age and time of development.

This form involves the spine where bony growths appear on the spine itself in the neck area or lower back. The disk/cartilage between the vertebrae becomes frayed. There are no real symptoms in this case unless there is pressure been placed on the nerves or irritation on any other structures of the back.

This form occurs in the weight bearing joints, such as the hips and knees and can become quiet severe. This develops slowly and can involve both sides of the body. There can be constant pain or it could come and go over time. In severe cases walking can become difficult. Fluid may accumulate and the area may become swollen. It affects the knee mainly either on the lateral or medial sides and the leg may become bowed and cause difficulty in walking. Arthritis in the knee can also cause pain in the thigh and calf and in the hips it can cause referred pain in the groin, buttocks, thigh or knee. X-rays show a narrowing of the joint space and presence of bony spurs.

Some people can also have a combination of all three forms

Other general symptoms:

Gradual and subtle onset of deep aching joint pain. Worse after exercise and is often relieved by rest.

Joint swelling

Limited movement

Morning stiffness

Grating of the joint during motion

The main causes of osteoarthritis are:

Hereditary In this case there is a hereditary component, which increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Women who have arthritis in their hands often have mothers or grandmothers who had the same affliction. Certain genes have been identified, but can only account for a small portion of all the cases.

Injuries: Any injury that can affect the normal mechanics of a joint can result in arthritis later in life. A common example is an injury to the knee and its ligaments and cartilage.

Overuse Jobs that require heavy repetitive use of a joint can eventually lead to arthritis.

Obesity: Women overweight are two to three times more likely to develop arthritis of the knee.

The prognosis is good and is not necessarily progressive, in some cases it may appear to get worse for a time but remain stable after this for long periods. Even in the worst cases osteoarthritis progresses slowly and there is time to think of treatment and how to progress from there. The crippling form of osteoarthritis is relatively rare and most individuals are free from symptoms. Treatment generally improves function.

Some complications include, a decreased ability to walk or perform normal activities (getting dressed, opening doors, eating, personal hygiene, house chores, cooking and walking up/down stairs etc.). There might also be fatigue, depression and anxiety. Complications from treatment include adverse reactions to medications or surgical complications.

Treatment

The main goals for the treatment are to relieve pain, maintain and improve joint mobility, increase strength and to try and minimize the disabling effects of the disease. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but a person can benefit from an individualized treatment plan. Mostly a primary care doctor can give the best advice about how to manage the arthritis. If necessary a referral to a rheumatologist (specialist) can be made if the symptoms are severe, he/she will be experienced and know the latest treatments available.

The doctor will diagnose osteoarthritis after he/she has analyzed the various symptoms provided and also after medical tests such as x-rays have been taken. The doctor will inspect the joints and do a general physical and take down your family medical history. He will also take into account your age and sex. They will then prescribe the necessary medication and may suggest other options such as exercise or when the diagnosis is in doubt refer you to a specialist.

Medications:

These include a variety of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s). There is usually a two-week trial period to evaluate the benefit of a particular drug. These drugs may cause unpleasant side effects, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract and kidneys. There is a new class of drugs called COX 2 inhibitors that have the anti-inflammatory effect of NSAllD’s, but do not upset people’s stomachs. Examples of these drugs are Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra which are currently available. Steroids that are injected directly into the joint can also help to reduce inflammation and pain. There are also over the counter remedies such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, which are found in supplements and aid in controlling pain. Artificial joint fluid (Synvisc, Hyalgan) can also be injected into the knee and can help with temporary pain relief for about 6 months. Over the counter topical pain relieving creams, which contain capsaicin are beneficial as well as other non-steroidal topical drugs. Other drugs containing paracetamol, codeine and acetaminophen include Voltaren, Tylenol and Feldene

Surgery:

Surgery is used in severe cases and replace or repair damaged joints. The options include:

Arthroplasty- Total or partial replacement of the deteriorated joint with an artificial joint.

Arthroscopic surgery to trim torn and damaged cartilage and to wash out the joint.

Osteomy- To change the alignment of a bone to relieve stress on the bone or joint.

Arthrodesis- ‘The surgical fusion of bones, usually in the spine.

Lifestyle changes:

Exercise is important to maintain joint mobility.

Physical therapy to improve muscle strength arid motion of stiff joints. Physical and occupational therapists can prescribe appropriate home exercises.

Heat and cold treatments

Protection of the joints-self-help devices and rest.

Good nutrition and weight control

Educate yourself-Arthritis foundation

Take self help classes

Support groups are helpful in reducing the stress by sharing common experiences.

Exercises:

Does exercise affect the onset of osteoarthritis, it must be taken into account that there is a variation in predisposition to develop joint degeneration, exercise routines and a history of trauma makes it difficult to formulate a relationship between osteoarthritis and exercise. In studies done on people over a few years (done by Lane and co-workers) that run regularly it was concluded that in normal joints continued running did not appear to accelerate the development of osteoarthritis. In another case where high intensity/high impact sportsman were tested it was found that in professional sports in young adults, there could be a risk factor in developing osteoarthritis in the joints placed under stress.

Arthritis and exercises:

The benefits of exercise when affected by arthritis may help to increase flexibility, relieve pain, and improve general health by lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol. It also helps to keep diabetes in control, exercise helps fight stress, give more energy, aid sleep and improve overall quality of life. The motion during exercise helps to increase circulation and nourish the joints arid helps to remove waste products. There are three activities, which could be attempted:

Aerobic: walking, swimming, dancing, and cycling all increase fitness and help to aid circulation and pain relief.

Stretching: This helps to increase flexibility

Strengthening: light weights, which helps to build muscle and protect from injury.

Every person has their own likes and dislikes so everybody will choose what suites them. Before starting an exercise program it is important to talk to a doctor beforehand. People must judge for themselves what works best, what causes pain and what actually improves the condition. Always work to your exercise level according to readiness and joint condition. The best people to ask about these exercises would be your doctor, physiotherapist or biokineticist. Other exercises that can benefit arthritis are things like yoga, tai chi and water therapy.

Caution must be paid to cases of inflamed joints where too much motion can sometimes cut off blood circulation and rest takes precedence over motion. You could also incorporate certain exercises from every day-to-day activities like climbing the stairs and gardening. Other health conditions besides arthritis also have to be taken into account when exercising, which is why it is important to keep your doctor informed.

Nutrition and diet:

It is important to remove all substances that might cause inflammation, like dairy products, potatoes, peppers; eggplant, tomatoes and tobacco are most often responsible. Eliminate these foods for at least one month if there is improvement with the arthritis start to include one of these food-stuffs every three to four days to determine which one may be the culprit. Remove or decrease the amount of animal products in the diet besides things like fish. Where possible eat raw food and lots of vegetables and fruit. The diet should also include carrots, avocado, sea-weeds spirulina, barley, sprouts, any soy products, whole grains, seeds and coldwater fish. Avoid things like coffee, tea, sugar, saturated fats, excess salt, spinach, cranberries and plumbs. Weight reduction, through diet and exercise is recommended for arthritis sufferers.

Vitamins and mineral supplements to help osteoarthritis:

Vitamin C, vitamin A, Vitamin E (inhibits enzymes that break down cartilage), vitamin B-complex, proanthocyanidin- (Grape seed extract - good anti-inflammatory), Zinc picollinate, Selenium (antioxidant), calcium, magnesium, manganese, glucosamine sulphate (building block of cartilage and is useful in repair of damaged cartilage and pain relief), methionine (amino-acid needed for cartilage formation) and essential fatty acids such as omega 6 and evening primrose oil or flaxseed oil. Always consult with a doctor before taking supplements, especially if on medication, because of any drug/supplement interaction that might take place.

Juice therapy:

Black cherry juice is good for arthritis. Take 2 glasses twice a day diluted with water until pain clears up. Other useful juices are carrot, celery, cherry, cucumber, beet, radish and garlic. Be careful with citrus juices, which can cause adverse reactions in some people as well as any nightshade vegetables like potatoes, which contains psyllium alkaloids, which causes problems for some people.

Herbal Remedies

Anti-inflammatory herbs: Boswellia, Devils claw, Ginger, Tumeric, White willow,

Celery seed, Castor oil (hot packs to affected joints).

Pain: Cayenne, Devils claw, White willow, Yucca

Strengthening: Horsetail, Cherries, Hawthorn berries and blueberries.

All these can be used in teas, capsules, compresses etc. It is always best to seek

professional help.

Tissue salts:

Take four tablets under the tongue three times daily, or hourly if the pain is acute.

Ferr phos when there is inflammation or pain on movement.

Kali muriaticum Swelling and pain

Nat phos: If there is high acidity

Kali sulph

CaIc phos: When fatigue is present

Chiropractic:

Some chiropractors treat arthritis by only manipulating the spine to correct subluxation and other imbalances, to allow the body to heal itself. Others treat arthritis with a combination of spinal manipulation and other therapies. They could refer to a physical therapist to strengthen the muscles, give nutritional supplements, to give strengthening exercises and spine maintenance education.

Aim

The aim of this project was to ascertain in what way reflexology could help people suffering from osteoarthritis. I wanted to determine whether symptoms associated with osteoarthritis; such as pain; mobility loss and stiffness could be alleviated. To assess whether psychological side effects of osteoarthritis such as depression and trouble sleeping could also benefit from treatment.

Methodology

Research for the literature study was done before the treatments actually commenced. The sessions were made twice weekly for five weeks, during the first treatment the necessary information was taken to form the basis for a treatment plan. All information was collected and revised to reach a conclusion as to whether reflexology can be given as a viable complementary therapy for arthritis sufferers.

Conclusion

Reflexology is a natural drugless therapy that creates a physiological change in the body by naturally improving circulation: reduces body tension and enhances relaxation. It also aids in the elimination of body waste and helps to restore the body functions to better health. As mentioned there are already a number of benefits that could help people with arthritis. Using Reflexology one can reduce the dependence of cortisone, which is one of the treatments for arthritis, by stimulating the reflex areas for the adrenal glands: by pressing these reflexes the body will produce natural cortisone thus helping to reduce pain. The body also produces its own natural painkillers during a reflexology treatment, known as endorphins, which is produced by the pituitary gland and can inhibit the transmission of pain through the spinal cord. I think it important to pay particular attention to the reflexes of the kidney’s, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, solar plexus, spine and joint reflexes to help the body in healing itself

Looking at all the treatments it can be concluded that Reflexology can in a small way aid in pain relief and help with mobility, but only for short periods of time, which is why treatments should be more regular. The treatments definitely had an effect on other aspects like depression, constipation, and sleeping patterns and mostly with swelling/oedema, because of an improvement in circulation and lymph flow. Emotionally Reflexology can play a part in tension relief and support of the individual, especially in cases like old age homes where the people can become very lonely. None of the volunteers complained at the length of the treatment and would have definitely had me going on for longer periods of time if I let them. The only area, which I was careful with were some of the movements during the treatments, even though none of them suffered from osteoporosis. I also followed the natural form of the foot especially where there were clawed toes.

There were a few of the volunteers who suffered after effects such as winds, formation of ulcers in the mouth and increased bowel movements, the remaining volunteers reported no reactions after each treatment. It was difficult to recommend lifestyle changes since everything is run by the old age homes, but a good combination of mild exercise if possible, rest and diet were recommended. For me it was also difficult reading the meridians, since they did tend to have a lot of wrinkles and marks on their faces and hands. Case study number nine suffered mainly from Rheumatoid arthritis: in her case I think Reflexology is an excellent treatment to keep the condition under control and to prevent more flare-ups.

The only thing that can be mentioned further is that people who suffer from any form of arthritis can benefit from Reflexology treatments, preferably over longer periods of time. Reflexology can aid in helping a person live with their arthritis, by inducing relaxation and helping with the pain, swelling and circulation. Osteoarthritis itself progresses slowly and in this time period Reflexology may help greatly in trying to stabilize the condition and help with any anxiety, fatigue or depression that might occur.

References

ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 1 - p. 2: General anatomy of a joint and where arthritis attacks (Arthritis, the comprehensive guide p. 10)

Table I - p.3: The arthritis categories (Arthritis, the comprehensive guide p. 11)

Table 2 - p4: Features of arthritis categories (Arthritis a comprehensive guide p.12)

Table 3 - p.5: Rheumatoid arthritis

Figure 2 - p.6: Wearing out of the joint gristle (Arthritis, the comprehensive guide p. 55)

Figure 3-p.12 Acupressure points (www.holistic-online.com)

Pamphlets and information p. 13

Vitakern pharmacy, Tygervalley

The Quantena device-The S.A. journal of Natural

Medicine, Issue 11,2003, p. 90

Bibliography

vww.aithritis.com

wwxv.allaboutarthritis.com

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlinelpus

www.holistic-online.com

www.arthritis-research.com

www.niams.nih.gov/

www.arc.org.uk

Oxford Concise Medical Dictionary 5 Edition, Oxford University Press, 2000

Encyclopedia of Family Health, Dr Robert Youngson, Bloomsbury publishing, 1995.

Arthritis: The comprehensive guide, Vernon Coleman, 1 985

Arthritis: What exercises really work, [Java Sobel, 1996

Getting a grip: self help for arthritis, Jim Pollard, 1996

Reflexology a Practical Introduction, Inge Dougans Element Books limited, 1998

Aim

This study has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of reflexology as a treatment to relieve back pain, using patients that have problems with stress and the handling of emotions, to determine if the lowering of stress levels and emotions has any effect on the lower back pain.

Method

This study consisted of: 10 females between the ages of 21 and 70 years old, who have chronic lower back pain and have high stress levels and emotions. All subjects completed a daily diary.

10 free treatments (2 per week for 5 weeks, minimum 1 day between each treatment)

Conclusion

Analysis of variance for repeated measures demonstrated a significant decrease in stress levels, emotions and lower back pain.

The findings support reflexology for treatment of lower back pain by reducing stress and emotion levels.

All the patients suffered from chronic lower back pain as well as high levels of stress. They all battled to cope with their emotions.

Lower back pain due to physical and mechanical factors only - none.

Lower back pain caused by stress and emotions – 50%

Lower back pain caused by both the above 1+2 – 50%

Additional influence on lower back Pain:

Colon (spastic, bloating, constipation) – 60%

Bladder and kidney problems (infection, incontinence) – 80%

The following additional problems were discovered:

Sleep problems – 90%

Low energy levels – 90%

Additional health problems were experienced by 100% of the women and 90% felt that these problems improved and some were even solved.

Results: Final treatment:

Improvement of lower back pain –

3 X 100% improvement

3 X 80% improvement

2 X 20% improvement

2 X 0% improvement

Improvement in the handling of stress and emotions –

All 10 cases reported a marked improvement in the handling of stress and emotions. The improvement varied between 80% and 100%.

Aim

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a holistic approach, with the focus on reflexology, in the treatment of infant colic. Ten babies with typical colic symptoms were treated over a period of time. The babies were given reflexology treatments that focussed on the digestive and neurological systems, while the mother’s diets and breastfeeding positions were corrected. In all the cases the babies responded positively to the treatment and in some cases an improvement could be seen after only one session. This study clearly proves that a holistic approach, with the focus on reflexology, is an effective method of treating infant colic

Method

Conclusion

All the babies that have been part of this study showed a significant improvement in the amount of crying / fussing. It took between two and six sessions for the amount of crying to drop below the norm for infant colic. The colour of the stools also normalized to a yellow colour within three to seven sessions, which is an indication that the colic had “healed”.

This study clearly proves that a holistic approach, with the focus on reflexology, is an effective method on treating Infant Colic.

Literature Study

What is a stroke?

Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die. Doctors call this area of dead cells an infarct. These cells usually die within minutes to a few hours after the stroke starts.

Five primary symptoms of stroke.

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Different types of stroke.

Ischemic stroke. This is the most common form of stroke, accounting for up to 88 percent of all strokes. These occur when blood clots or other particles block arteries to the brain causing ischemia. Brain cells may start to die within minutes of this occurring, depriving your brain of essential nutrients and oxygen.

Haemorrhagic stroke. Haemorrhage is the medical word for bleeding. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or ruptures. Haemorrhages can result from a number of conditions that affect your blood vessels, including uncontrolled hypertension and aneurysms. A less common cause of haemorrhage is the rupture of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) — a malformed tangle of thin-walled blood vessels, present at birth.

There are two types of haemorrhagic stroke:

Intracerebral hacmorrhage. In this type of stroke, a blood vessel in the brain burst and spills into the surrounding brain tissue and damages cells. Brain cells beyond the leak are deprived of blood and are also damaged. High blood pressure can cause small arteries inside your brain to become brittle and susceptible to cracking and rupture.

Subarachnoid haemorrhagc. In this type of stroke, bleeding starts in a large artery on or near the membrane surrounding the brain and spills into the space between the surface of your brain and your skull. A subarachnoid haemorrhage is often signalled by a sudden, severe “thunderclap” headache. This type of stroke is commonly caused by the rupture of an aneurysm, which can develop with age or result from a genetic predisposition. After a subarachnoid haemorrhage, vessels may go into vasospasm, a condition where arteries near the haemorrhage constrict erratically, causing brain cell damage by further restricting or

blocking blood flow to portions of the brain. A stroke is sometimes called a brain attack. It is caused by a problem with the amount of blood in the brain. One type of stroke­ischemic stroke- is caused by too little blood in the brain. The other main type of stroke-hemorrhagic stroke-is caused by too much blood within the brain cavity.

Thrombotic stroke. This type of stroke occurs when a thrombus forms in one of the arteries that supply blood to your brain. A clot usually forms in areas damaged by atherosclerosis. This process can occur within one of the two carotid arteries of your neck that carry blood two your brain, as well as in other arteries. An ischemic stroke may also be caused by plaques that completely clog or markedly narrow an artery. This narrowing is called stenosis.

Embolic stroke. This type of stroke occurs when a blood clot or other particle forms in a blood vessel away from the brain, but is swept through your bloodstream to lodge in narrower brain arteries. This type of blood clot is called an embolus. It is commonly caused by atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart’s two upper chambers.

Effects of stroke

The ability to define the world and our place in it distinguishes our humanity. Stroke or brain attack forever alters this world-making capacity. The stroke patient’s world, once comprehensible and manageable, is transformed into a confusing, intimidating and hostile environment. The skill of intellect, sensation, perception and movement, which are honed over the course of a lifetime and which so characterize our humanity are the very abilities most compromised by stroke. Stroke can rob people of the most basic methods of interacting with the world.

The specific abilities that will be lost or affected by stroke depend on the extent of the brain damage and most importantly where in the brain the stroke occurred. The brain is an incredibly complex organ, and each area within the brain has responsibility for a particular function or ability. The brain is divided into four primary parts: the right hemisphere (or half), the left hemisphere, the cerebellum and the brain stem.

Cerebellar Stroke. The cerebellar controls many of our reflexes and much of our balance and coordination. A stroke that takes place in the cerebellum can cause abnormal reflexes of the head and torso, coordination and balance problems, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Brain Stem Stroke. Strokes that occur in the brain stem are devastating. The brain stem is the area of the brain that controls all of the body’s involuntary life functions like breathing rate, blood pressure and heartbeat. The brain stem also controls abilities like eye movement, hearing, speech and swallowing. Since impulses generated in the brain’s hemispheres must travel through the brain stem on their way to a persons arms and legs, patients with brain stem stroke may also develop paralysis in one or both sides of the body.

Right Hemisphere Stroke. The right side of the brain controls the movement of the left side of the body. It controls analytical and perceptual tasks, such as judgement of distance, size, speed, or position and seeing how parts are connected to wholes. Right hemisphere stroke can cause paralysis in the left side of the body. This is known as hemiplegia. Survivors of these strokes may also have problems with spatial and perceptual abilities. This may cause misjudgement of distance or be unable to guide their hands to pick up an object, button a shirt or tie their shoes. They may even be unable to tell right side from upside down when reading. Stroke sufferers may develop judgement problems, they can be unaware of their disabilities and may be confidant to try to perform the same tasks as they did before the stroke. They may also develop left-sided neglect that causes the patient to ignore or forget things on their left hand side. Some patients may also experience short-term memory loss.

Left Hemisphere Stroke. The left side of the brain controls the actions of the right side of the body, as well as speech and language abilities. This type of stroke often causes right-sided paralysis. These patients may also suffer from aphasia, the collective term for speech and language problems. Patients who suffered left hemisphere strokes may develop slow and cautious behaviour that is in contrast with right hemisphere stroke survivors. They often need regular instructions and feedback to complete tasks. Memory problems are also common, these include short retention spans, difficulty learning new information and conceptual and generalizing problems.

Risk factors of strokes.

Controllable Risk Factors.

Hypertension. This is the most important risk factor, it usually has no symptoms or warning signs and therefore it is important to have one’s blood pressure checked often.

Tobacco smoking. Smoking reduces oxygen in your blood, may damage blood vessel walls, making clots more likely to form. Birth control pills in combination with smoking increases your risk for stroke.

Diabetes Mellitus. People with diabetes may often have hypertension, high blood cholesterol and be overweight, increasing your risk for stroke greatly.

Carotid or other artery disease. A carotid artery narrowed by fatty deposits from atherosclerosis may become blocked by a thrombus.

Atrial fibrillation. The heart’s upper chambers quiver instead of beating effectively, which can let the blood pool and clot. If a clot breaks off, enters the bloodstream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain, a stroke results.

Other heart diseases. People with coronary heart disease or heart failure have a higher risk of stroke. Dilated cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease and some types of congenital heart defects also raise the risk of stroke.

Transient ischemic attacks. This causes stroke-like symptoms but without the lasting damage. Treating these attacks can reduce your risk of a major stroke.

Certain blood disorders. High red blood cell count thickens blood and makes clotting more likely. This can be treated by taking blood thinners. Sickle cell anaemia results in decreased oxygen levels in the body’s tissues and organs, the sickled cells tend to stick to blood vessel walls and this can result in blocked arteries causing stroke.

High blood cholesterol. High levels of bad cholesterol and blood fats increase the risk of stroke in people with previous coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Low levels of good cholesterol may raise the risk of stroke.

Obesity and inactivity. This can increase the risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

High alcohol intake. More than one unit a day for women and two units a day for men can raise blood pressure and increase risk for stroke.

Illegal drugs. Intravenous drug abuse has a high risk of stroke. Cocaine use has been linked to strokes and heart attacks. Even first time users can have a fatal attack.

Uncontrollable Risk Factors.

Age. Increasing age raises your risk of stroke, although people of all ages can have a stroke.

Gender. Strokes are more common in men than women, however women are more likely to die from a stroke than a man. Pregnant women, women using contraception, women who smoke and women with hypertension have a higher risk of stroke.

Genetics and race. A family history of stroke increases ones risk of stroke. It has been found that African Americans are at higher risk of death from a stroke than Caucasians.

Prior stroke or heart attack. This increases the risk of stroke greatly.

Treatment for stroke sufferers.

A drug called t-PA dissolves the thrombus that keeps blood from flowing to the brain. Other than that, controlling the risk factors involved and leading a balanced healthy lifestyle may decrease your risk of stroke.

Research is still being done on different treatments for stroke.

Coping skills for friends and carers.

It has been found that encouragement and support from a spouse or carer raises the chances of a stroke survivor to become independent and productive again. Recovery and rehabilitation depends on the area of the brain involved in the stroke and the amount of damaged tissue. In addition to the physical side effects of a stroke the patients often becomes depressive, feel helpless, frustrated and loses interest in other activities. Low libido, mood swings and suicidal thoughts are common. Stroke patients work with a great group of professionals including a physiatrist, nurse, dietician, different therapists, social worker and other. This can be exhausting for the patient and his/her family and support system. Recovering from a stroke can be frustrating. Lack of knowledge or experience in stroke recovery can make it difficult to be around someone who suffered a stroke and has trouble communicating.

Stay in touch with the patient, the person may need you but may not be able to tell you so.

Keep conversations at adult level. Talk to the person directly and do not talk down to him/her. Treat that person just as you did before. Having a stroke does not mean that the person cannot think anymore.

Unless there is a hearing loss, you don not need to speak louder than usual.

Speaking at a comfortable pace allows the words to be processed. Talking about one topic at a time makes it easier for the words to be processed and for the person to follow the conversation.

Reducing background noise and distractions makes it easier for the person to concentrate.

A stroke survivor may understand best when the conversation includes fewer people.

Keep caregivers in mind. They need support and friendship too and include them in your thoughts and plans.

Aim

Stroke is an everyday reality to all of us. The main goal of this research study was to treat and monitor patients who suffered from a stroke, take a medical history of the ten selected patients of all ages, race and gender, give each patient a series of ten reflexology treatments and throughout the series of treatments not their reactions to the treatments given.

Conclusion

Through out the treatments no one of the ten patients ever experienced any notable changes like increased urination or bowel movements, or any changes usually associated with reflexology treatments, including positive changes. The only changes that were notable during the series of treatments were the decrease in oedema present with most of the patients and also the decrease in sensitive reflex points.

I conclude that due to certain factors like age, progression of disease and illness, and time lapsed between stroke and treatment received there were no substantial improvement in the patients, although I did find that even in the most uncooperative and moody or aggressive patient there was an improvement in all the patients’ moods.

Patients felt relaxed after treatments and appreciated the time they could spend talking about themselves and they’re every day troubles and thoughts.

Therefore my conclusion is that although the treatments were of no substantial value for the physical condition it was of some value for the emotional well — being of the patients.

References

Balch, P.A. and Baich, J.F, Prescription for Nutritional

Healing, 3d ED, Avery Publishing Group, 2000, New York

Grabowski, S.R, and Tortora, G.T, Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 8 ED, HarperCollinsCollegePublishers, 1996, New York

www.strokeassociation.org

www.ninds.nih.gov/health and medical/disorders/stroke

www.stroke.org.uk

www.strokecenter.org

Literature Study

Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of the cartilage in the joints. It often manifests after an injury or from repetitive physical tasks that place excess stress upon joints. It predominately afflicts the weight-bearing joints, such as the knees, hips, and spine, but can also manifest in areas of general wear and tear, such as finger and thumb joints, and shoulder joints.

About 60% of the British population has used, or is using, some form of complementary medicine to treat their arthritis. Some claim great benefit, but as with all arthritic treatments it is often difficult to know if an individual’s improvement is due to the illness waxing and waning naturally or because of if improvement is direct result of the treatment being used. (Philipsen, C. Healthy Way Magazine, Issue 21, Article 7) Even so, reflexology can play an important role in encouraging positive changes in a person’s lifestyle and outlook, such as increased self-reliance, a positive attitude, learning relaxation techniques and appropriate exercises. Lifestyle changes such as these may help to improve or stabilize your arthritis. There is often no cure for arthritis, but these changes in a person’s psychological well-being and lifestyle can be as important as the more conventional treatments in coping with the pain associated with osteoarthritis.

According to Dr. Goldberg (http://goldberg.getwebspace.com/arthritis.htm), the key to treating Osteoarthritis is to work with the patient’s entire health picture. He also states that it is necessary for a patient to adopt a whole new way of living, even to the point where they may need to change jobs, lifestyles, etc. if necessary. Rest and relaxation are essential in the treatment of Osteoarthritis. This leads one to question the role that stress might play in aggravating Osteoarthritis. Dr. Goldberg sates that when a person who is predisposed to Osteoarthritis is exposed to extensive and long-term emotional stress, the disease process can be triggered. Unrelenting emotional stress negatively influences the immune, endocrine, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems particularly, which in turn influence the muscles and joints. Reflexology can be an effective relaxation tool and can greatly reduce stress. It also approaches the individual as a holistic being and promotes rest and relaxation.

Cortisone is a common medication used for relieving arthritic pain and inflammation. Research has found that the body can be stimulated to produce it’s own natural cortisone by applying pressure to certain reflex points, namely the adrenal glands. (http://www. holistic-online.com) According to Cobi Philipsen (Healthy Way Magazine, Issue 21, Article 7), most people will obtain a degree of relief from pain through regular reflexology treatments, regardless of the type and location of the arthritis. It has also been found that not only is reflexology potentially beneficial for pain relief, but it can add quality to a person’s life by means of touch and communication.

Even though conventional treatments are safe and effective for most people, drugs and surgery are not suitable for all patients and these treatments cannot always fully control the symptoms of arthritis. Reflexology, on the other hand, is a safe and effective form of therapy for all which cannot harm the individual. The emphasis here is that the person’s body must “heal” itself with the help of a practitioner. Instead of merely treating the symptoms, reflexology treats the whole body and aids in the maintenance of health, not only in the achievement of health.

Due to the growing number of studies linking reflexology with successful pain management and reduction as well as the large number of people suffering from Osteoarthritic related pain it would therefore appear feasible to conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of reflexology in reducing pain and joint immobility associated with Osteoarthritis.

Aim

The aim of this research study was to investigate the possible impact of Therapeutic Reflexology on the pain experienced in the joints of individuals suffering from Osteoarthritis as well as the possible reduction of joint inflammation and immobility associated with osteoarthritis. Ten research subjects were selected from a group of volunteers to participate in the study. The composition of the research subject group was as follows: age - ranged from 35 to 68; Gender - 3 males, 7 females; location of arthritis - ankles, knees, hip, back, hands, and shoulder. Each patient received a total of ten, one hour Therapeutic Reflexology treatments, administered twice weekly with a break of at least 2 days between successive treatments, spanning a period of 5 to 7 weeks. Subjects were treated at their own residences at the same time each day. The following parameters were recorded at each treatment: subjective experience of pain according to the Brief Pain Inventory (Short Form), feedback regarding any negative and positive responses and changes, general condition of research subject, pain intensity and sensitivity of reflex responses, stress levels and general psychological well-being.

Conclusion

Although all research subjects noted a positive correlation between the reflexology treatments and a reduction in the inflammation of arthritic joints, improvement in joint mobility, reduced stress levels and general improvement of overall well-being, the results of this study are inconclusive as it was not possible to prove with any degree of statistical reliability that a correlation exists between therapeutic reflexology and a reduction in the pain associated with Osteoarthritis as only four of the research subjects treated claimed to experience a significant reduction in pain in the area afflicted with arthritis. There was also not enough evidence present to suggest that these four research subjects had achieved a reduction in arthritic pain solely by means of the reflexology treatments received and not perhaps by other contributing factors, such as medication and lifestyle changes.

The following limitations where also found to have a negative impact on the reliability and validity of the results obtained:

The sample population was not drawn randomly from the general population but was selected from a group of volunteers.

The arthritic conditions presented by the 10 research subjects were not the same in terms of severity and location.

The research subjects differed in age, gender and socio-economic status.

There was no uniformity with regards to other treatments being received.

The number of research subjects was too small to be able to draw any definite conclusions.

Pain is a subjective experience and can be affected by fatigue, mood and individual sensitivity.

The BPI (Short Form) is completed by the patient and cannot therefore be seen as an objective and statistically reliable measurement instrument.

Research subjects were free to continue with individual daily activities (such as sports) which would mean that there was no control over additional stressors which could hinder or delay improvements.

It is therefore not possible to prove that therapeutic reflexology directly reduces or cures the pain associated with Osteoarthritis by means of this study alone. There is, however, significant evidence present to suggest that reflexology greatly reduces joint inflammation and can therefore potentially improve joint mobility. However, as there was a significant reduction of Arthritic pain noted among four of the research subjects, it would be beneficial to investigate this topic further.

It is therefore recommended that a more intensive research study is undertaken making use of a larger sample group and eliminating the above limitations and subjective factors in order to further investigate the possibility that therapeutic reflexology can indeed be beneficial in the reduction of pain and other symptoms associated with Osteoarthritis.

References

DOUGANS, I. 1998. Reflexology— A Practical Introduction. Melbourne : Element

DOUGANS, I. 2002. Complete Illustrated Guide to Reflexology. London : Element

JACKSON, C. & JACKSON J. 2002. Modem Reflexology. London : Caxton Editions

OXENFORD, R. 2001. Healing with Reflexology. London : Southwater

PHILIPSEN, C. Healthy Way Magazine, Issue 21, Article 7

STORMER, C. 1995. Reflexology — The Definitive Guide. London Hodder & Stoughton

VONER, V. 2003. The Everything Reflexology Book. Avon, Massachusetts : Adams Media Corporation

WAUGH, A. & GRANT, A. Ross & Wilson: Anatomy & Physiology in Health and llness. Edinburgh Churchill Livingstone

The British Medical Association — Complete Family Health Encyclopedia. 1990. London Dorling Kindersley

The Merck Manual of Medical Information — Second Home Edition. 2003. Whitehouse Station, New Jersey: Merck Research Laboratories

INTERNET:

www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/CaseStudies/CaseStudies.htm 2004/11/10

www.scottishreflexology.org/research/publications/general.html 2004/11/10

www.pacificreflexology.com/pacrflx2004/muscle.htm 2004/11/10

www.holistichealthtools.com/reflexology.html 2004/12/14

www.complimentarymedicine.upmc.com/Reftexology.htm 2004/12/14

www.internethealthlibrary.com/Therapies/Reflexology-Research20.htm 2005/01/05 www.holistic-online.com 2005/01/05

http://goldberg.getwebspace.com/arthritis.htm - PAUL A. GOLDBERG 2005/01/05

Literature Study

Infertility is defined as a failure to conceive after one year or more of regular sexual activity without the use of a contraceptive.

The reproductive system may not be working properly especially during ovulation and reflexology together with the conventional treatment will complement each other to help with conception.

The different causes of infertility in the female are mainly anovulation (the absence of ovulation) which on one patient during this research had improved after the 5th reflexology treatment, the mucous discharge was Stronger during her ovulation.

Amenorrhoea (absence of menstruation) another patient during this research had amenorrhoea for about five years but she had her first menstruation after the 7 treatment, Endometriosis, sometirnes caused by Polycystic ovaries during this research the patient’s doctor said her endornetriosis had improved. Other causes will be blocked fallopian tubes, Pelvic inflammatory diseases, Diets, Fibroids, Hostile cervical mucus — the production of antibodies to a partners sperm.

Causes of Male infertility are Azoospermia - (absence of sperm present in a semen sample), Smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day will reduce sperm count and sperm motility.

Excessive alcohol intake will lead to infertility as alcohol lowers the production of sperm and the male hormone testosterone. Oligospermia- low sperm count, during this research the men’s sperm had increased from 1% to 8 % in one month after having five reflexology treatments and taking Vitamin E tablets, also Folic Acid and Zinc tablets, Zinc tablets are taken to increase the sperm cells. Two of the men also took Spermaid tablets together with the Vitamin E, Folic Acid, and Zinc Tablets and their sperm improved and also became thicker. Varicose Veins around the testicles and Vas Deferens is a Varicocele and the doctors surgically remove the varicose veins to improve the sperm count.

Stress is the most important contributing factor of infertility, stress can lower prolactin levels (a hormone that, in excessive amounts can inhibit infertility), stress in woman disrupts the hormonal communication between the brain, the pituitary gland and the ovaries, interfering with both the maturation of an ovum and the ovulation process. Reflexology treatments can be done to reduce stress through relaxation to help normalize menstrual cycles, improve the ovum and increase the likelihood of fertilization and implantation.

Reference: Holistic-online Website: www.womhealth.org

Lifestyle and environmental changes can affect infertility, such as Cigarettes - smoking impairs fertilization, Caffeine should be reduced - it lowers sperm counts and decreases ovulation, Weight - being underweight or overweight can also affect the woman’s infertility, one of the patients in this research had problems with ovulation and menstruation but after losing 20 Kg’s her ovulation had improved. Women require approximately 17-21 % of their body weight as fat in order to menstruate and ovulate normally. A small amount of weight loss may improve infertility. A poor nutritional diet will have a negative effect on infertility. It is thought that the endocrine system switches off the reproductive system when the diet is nutritionally deficient.

Reference: Woman’s Health, Website: www.womhealth.org

The role of nutrition, with vitamin and mineral support, in assisting with the IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) programmes is now well documented and there is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that the results of conventional medical treatments are improved and enhanced when supported by complementary treatment. The one patient had a successful IVF done after coming for reflexology treatments and complementing it with the conventional medication.

Complementary therapies, which alter and balance the flow of body energy, have been healing infertility difficulties for a long time. Many couples have used this approach alone to improve their overall health, reduce their emotional and physical stress, treat specific disorders and overcome their fertility problems.

Reference: Positive health, Website: www.positivehealtrh.com

During a reflexology treatment, the whole of your body and mind will be calmed and all of your bodily systems (immune, digestive, nervous, reproductive, hormones, etc) strengthened. In this way, you will be able to nurture yourself, relax and, as a result, improve your chances of conceiving.

Reflexology will be able to assist you no matter which route you choose. Should you select the conventional conception route, which can have moments of stress and worry, then it will help you cope with these stresses as well as help your body maintain a balanced state and improve your chances of conception. Or if you elect to take the more natural route then reflexology can assist in much the same way by stimulating and balancing hormones and bodily systems.

Reference: Harley Street Infertility Website: www.complementary­care.co.uk

Aim

Not being able to conceive is stressful causing patients to have a guilty feeling and having anxiety.

The purpose of this research is to help infertility patients now and in the future with stress and relaxation so that conception can take place, by Using alternative medicines like reflexology — a holistic therapeutic therapy, which together with the conventional medicines can achieve good results.

Reducing stress can certainly be beneficial in decreasing infertility.

Methodology

10 patients, 5 couples volunteered for this research of infertility and reflexology, they came for 10 treatments, twice a week for 5 weeks and each experienced different symptoms, some of them complained of frequent urination, extra bowel action, mood swings, after a few treatments the menstruation had improved and some of the patients stress levels decreased so that they were able to decrease their sleeping tablets.

Reflexology helps the body heal it self by opening energy pathways and clearing congestions in the electrical pathways, during the reflexology treatments, the patient’s state of health improved and menstruation and the sperm count increased.

But because everybody is different some treatments will take longer than others, if the patient is considering having a IVF done, she might consider coming for reflexology treatment first to help the body heal itself and to relax and to reduce her stress so that the IVF can be successful, reflexology and conventional treatments can complement each other.

A good nutritional diet, relaxed state of mind, positive thinking, reduced stress levels and reflexology treatments are possible indicators for successful conception.

Most of the people decided to continue coming for reflexology treatments once a week until conception takes place, Research done previously on infertility and reflexology received good result.

The infertility patients might require more than one cycle before their menstruation is normal and before the sperm count has improved, before conception can take place.

Conclusion

The aim of this study was to determine the effect on infertility, of Reflexology as an alternative treatment to conventional medicine, as well as to determine the number of treatments needed before conception takes place.

In a survey done at a hospital in the United Kingdom to determine the effectiveness of reflexology as a treatment on infertile patients, it was found that 15% of the patients, who had been receiving treatment by conventional means for two years or longer, became pregnant after receiving reflexology treatments.

In this study done in Cape Town, South Africa, it was found that each Patient came with different problems, which required varying lengths of treatments.

10 patients, which included 5 couples, were treated in this study. Their treatments took place twice per week and continued over a period of 5 weeks. Patients were closely monitored as it could require three cycles before conception took place. Menstruation improved and after the second cycle ovulation was slightly stronger.

Patients presented with a variety of problems, including ovulation and menstruation problems, endometriosis and cysts which maybe a side effect as a result of using Clomid over a prolonged period of time.

In one patient in this study, menstruation improved and progressed after the 7th treatment from only one to two days, to three days, flow was very heavy whereas before it had been less and more or less only presented as spotting.

After 12 treatments of reflexology, one patient had her 6 attempt at IVF And as a result of her being more relaxed as well as her ovums being more developed, the IVF was successful. Previously the patient had been treated With Clomid, but had only had two ovums each time the inseminations were done. After the reflexology treatments, while continuing to take medication, she had developed three good ovums and the insemination had therefore been successful.

Another patient had not had menstruation for five years apart from a brown Or yellow discharge, however after the 7th treatment, she menstruated for Three days.

Male infertility is becoming more evident as male patients present with low sperm counts. During this study, male patients were advised to take Zinc tablets and Vitamin E and Folic Acid and after two months the sperm count had increased from 1% to 8% and with the aid of reflexology treatments, the sperm had become thicker.

A number of patients only require two treatments while others may need further treatments.

Patients continued with treatment under the supervision of a medical practitioner while continuing with their reflexology treatments as together Conventional medicines and reflexology could achieve good results.

Together with the treatments, patients were advised to examine their lifestyle, for example to increase exercise, avoid alcohol and cigarettes and caffeine. Alcohol interferes with the absorption of Vitamin B and Zinc, which are Essential for the formation of sperm and ovum.

Patients were educated regarding the significance of stress as a cause of Infertility and the role reflexology could play in reducing stress. They were helped to understand that reflexology treatments together with a positive and relaxed attitude are important factors in the treatment of infertility. Patients were informed about how diet and nutrition could enhance Treatments.

Reflexology helps patients cope with the stress which many feel as they Undergo assisted conception treatments, as it helps the body to maintain a balanced state and therefore improves the chances of a successful conception.

References

Reflexology In Milton Keynes Gary Ankin

Website www.alternatetherapies.co.uk Date 05/11/03
Feet Don’t Lie Barbara Kunz
Website www.reflexology-research.com Date 06/11/03
Advanced Fetility Center of Chicago
Website www.advancefertility.com Date 02/08/03
Baby Zone Doctor Jarrett
Website www.babyzone.com Date 04/10/03
Baby Center by Nancy Kraus
Website www.babycenter.com Date 04/10/03
Health24 by GynaeDoc
Website www.health24.co.za Date 09/06/03
Reproductive Biology Unit Doctor T F Kruger
Website www.tygerbergfertility.corn Date 1 7/05/03
Cape Fertility Clinic Doctor K Wiswedel
Website www.capefertility-clinic.co.za Date 13/05/03

America’s Pregnancy Helpline by The American College of Gynecologists

Website www.thehelpline.org Date 19/09/03
The Merck Manual
Website www.merck.com Date 23/01/03

Medical Research Council of South Africa by Department of

Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Univerty of Cape Town

Website www.Webmastermrc.co.za Date 05/08/03
Lucille Coplestons Reflexology Practise
Website www.netizon.co.uk Date 05/08/03
Woman 24 Gynae[)oc
Website www.woman24.com Date 1 5/09/03
Whi health a Wealth of health online
Website www.ehihealth.com Date 15/09/03
Internethealth Library
Website www.internethealthlibrary.com Date 27/04/03
India-Parenting.com
Website www indiaparenting.com/fertility Date 29/01/03

Harley Street Complementary Care by Ashi Le Hunte

Website www.complementary-care.co.uk Date 27/04/03
Positive Health by Talha Sawaf, Yehudi Gordon
Website www.positivehealth.corn Date 27/03/03

Infertility Holistic-online

Website www.holistic-online.com/remedies/infertility Date 27/03/03

Female health Made Simple

Website www.femalehealthmadesimple.com Date 07/04/03

Literature Study

Fybromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a condition of pain in the ligaments and muscles. The word ‘fybromyalgia’ is a combination of the Latin roots ‘fibro’ (connective fibres), ‘my’ (muscle), ‘al’ (pain), and ‘gia’ (condition of). The word syndrome simply means a group of signs and symptoms that occur together which characterise a particular abnormality. FMS is often mistakenly called arthritis.

It is a pain from the muscles, but there is no inflammation; in other words, rheumatism by not myositis or arthritis. Sometimes the pain can feel as if it comes from a joint, but that is because the muscles around the joint are painful.

FMS is a condition of general pain and fatigue. The pain can occur in almost any muscle, but is normally spread over the whole body and not confined to just one muscle. The pain can be continuous and can even become worse if you sit still or lie down, and it can keep you from your sleep. The less you sleep, the worse the pain becomes and the worse the pain becomes, the less you sleep.

Ant-inflammatories do not help this condition and analgesics often result in just moderate relief. Repeated movements such as painting or scrubbing make the pain in those muscles much worse and it often happens that fibromyalgia sufferers cannot perform their daily tasks. After awhile exercise also becomes more of a pain than anything else, so these people become all the more unfit. The muscles then become more susceptible to pain and a shortage of oxygen.

Causes

As yet, there is no one specific cause.

Medical examinations and blood tests usually produce nothing. Many of these people therefore are suspected of psychological problems, depression or attention seeking behaviour. “Many patients don’t even tell their doctors all of their symptoms because they sense the doctors disbelief… To make things even more confusing, the signs and symptoms can, and frequently do, fluctuate from hour to hour and day to day.” (Starlanyl, 1996, p8)

“According to a recent study in Sweden the pain develops if for any reason there is too little oxygen in the muscles….There is still uncertainty about the many possible causes. Poor posture and the manner in which these people do certain tasks with the same movements can cause the muscles to contract in an abnormal manner. This again causes the muscles to contract in knots in certain places. Such a ‘knotted’ muscle does not get enough oxygen. The muscle then sends warning signs to the brain and so it continues.

Specialists in Canada believe it happens because of an imbalance between the muscles that we use to move and those that enable us to keep our balance. If our posture or balancing muscles don’t do their work well enough, you must remain upright with your movement muscles. These movement muscles become tired and sore.” (Christiaan, 2001, p99)

Lamb states that “the cause of most, if not all, fibromyalgics pain is a combination of nerve and muscle dysfunction. The deep spinal muscles cause minor or even major nerve entrapment syndromes. Those nerve injuries will cause pain that refers into our limbs, head and body. They can create dizziness, ringing of ears, abdominal pain and bloating. Palpitations may be created by sympathetic exaggeration. Visual blurring may originate from neck problems.

The weakest segments of the spine are the base of the neck and back but the middle of the back is also commonly affected.

Fatigue occurs for several reasons, commonly because of protracted disruption of sleep due to stimulation from chronic pain. Muscles will tighten up when a nerve is pinched. Injury factors will determine the age of onset, the severity, and the pains associated with the condition.” (Blair Lamb, http://www.drlamb.com/curefibromyalgia.htm 19-05-03)

“FMS runs in the family. . . People with FMS seem to be born with the tendency to develop it. (Pelligrino, 1989)

In October 1997, the newsletter of the Fibromyalgia Network published information compiled from the more than 6,000 responses they had received to a survey questionnaire.

When asked whether they could identify events which had ‘triggered’ their condition, 59 per cent indicated they could identify the trigger. The following were listed:

physical injury 39 per cent (of the 59 % who could identify a trigger)
major emotional shock such as a bereavement 27 per cent
infection 15 per cent
surgery 9 per cent
exposure to chemical agent or drug 5 per cent

“Chances are that whatever it is that causes the immune system to become depressed enough to allow a constant viral activity also causes many of the symptoms of FMS - probably involving a combination of allergies, toxicity, deficiency, stress and so on. Latent viruses can become active, and in turn start including ‘flu-like’ symptoms of aches and pains, due to the release of chemicals called cytokines. The virus in such a situation is simply taking the opportunity of disturbed immune function to proliferate, and is not the cause of the problem.” (Chaitow, 2001, p60) To date, there is certainly no single virus connected with fibromyalgia, although work continues in search of an elusive culprit on whom to blame this widespread condition.

Maybe therapeutic ref lexology and meridian therapy can shed some new light on

fibromyalgia syndrome, bringing us closer to an understanding of our wonderful, but complex bodies and minds!

FMS and MPS

THE MYOFASCIA

One “part” that is never mentioned in elementary overviews of the body is the myofascia. Myofascia, a thin almost translucent film that wraps around muscle tissue, is the tissue that holds all the other parts together. It gives shape to and supports all of the body’s musculature.

For people with FMS the myofascia takes on a new importance:

When responding to stress, the body undergoes certain complex physiological changes that will enable it either to fight the stressor or flee from it. When some patients respond to repeated stressors with the fight or flight response again and again, calciphylaxis occurs in their tissues. Dr. Hans Selye, the “Father of Stress Theory”, defines calciphylaxis as “an induced hypersensitivity in which tissues respond to various challenging agents with sudden calcification” (Selye, 1975). It doesn’t matter whether the stressor is chronic illness, severe emotional trauma, or multiple injuries, repeated experience of the fight or flight response causes tissue changes.

It appears that this “calcification” or tightening in the myafascia occurs in many cases of FMS. When the myofascial tissues become thickened and lose their elasticity, the neurotransmitters’ ability to send and receive messages between the mind and body is damaged, and the communication between the mind and body is disrupted. Myafascia, then, may well be the key to what is wrong with people with FMS.

The fascial changes cause lumps and taut bands called trigger points (TrPs). Fascia changed in this way can entrap nerves, constrict blood vessels, and tighten around lymph vessels. That is why TrPs can cause many different kinds of symptoms. Fascia also forms adhesions and scar tissue. People with FMS seem to have a lot of thickened tissues. Once fascia changes, it needs help to return to its previous form. This is where bodywork is particularly helpful.

Unlike tender points - those used to diagnose FMS - (see later in this chapter), trigger points (TrPs) can and do refer to other parts of the body. Note that trigger points are not part of FMS. The trigger point is an exquisitely sore point that not only hurts where it is pressed, like an FMS tender point, but also “triggers” a referred pain pattern to somewhere else in the body. The term MPS refers to chronic, body-wide Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Trigger points form part of MPS.

To add to the diagnostic confusion, TrPs can often overlay FMS tender points, and in many patients FMS and MPS occur together.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FMS AND MPS

FMS and MPS are different syndromes. However, the vast majority of physicians tend to lump them together because they see many patients with the FMS I MPS Complex. (FMS and MPS not only occur together, they reinforce each other.)

One difference between the two is that muscles in locations that are some distance from the trigger points of MPS have normal sensitivity. In fibromyalgia, there is a generalized sensitivity. This means there is a body-wide, diffuse achiness with FMS, whereas with MPS there are specific pains in specific areas.

Fibrormyalgia is a biochemical disorder. It occurs as part of a biochemical imbalance, and we are far from understanding the “whys” of it. Myafascial Pain Syndrome, however, is a neuromuscular condition. MPS happens because of mechanical failures - the mechanics of physics, not biochemistry.

The Official Definition

At present there are no absolute diagnostic laboratory tests for FMS, only ones that rule out other conditions or suggest a possible diagnosis.

A far more satisfactory method of finding out what is going on is to use old-fashioned, low-tech interview, case history, examination and palpation (feeling the body by hand) methods, supported by tests that rule out other possible causes and help the practitioner to come to a diagnosis of what it is by a process of elimination.

Among the most common are:

blood tests

nutritional evaluation tests

X-rays

brain scans

electrical conduction tests

muscle enzyme assessments

analysis of stool samples

thermography

palpation

Many people suffer from generalized muscle aching and pain. However, this only officially becomes the medical condition labeled ‘fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) when this aching muscle pain is accompanied by pain when pressure is applied to certain specific body areas. The most commonly accepted definition (devised by the American College or Rheumatology in 1990) is that a person has fibromyalgia when they show the following.

A history of widespread pain. Pain is considered ‘widespread’ when all of the following are present:

pain in the left side of the body

pain in the right side of the body

pain above the waist and pain below it

pain in the spine or the neck or front of the chest or thoracic spine or lower back.

Pain in 11 out of 18 tender point sites when these are pressed with the fingers. There should be pain on pressure (around 4 kg of pressure maximum) in no fewer than 11 of the following sites:

either side of the base of the skull, where the suboccipital muscles insert

either side of the neck, between the fifth and seventh cervical vertebrae

either side of the body on the midpoint of the muscle that runs from the neck to the shoulder (upper trapezius)

either side of the body on the origin of the muscle muscle that runs along the upper border of the shoulder blade (the supraspinatus)

either side, on the upper surface of the rib, where the second rib meets the breastbone, and in the pectoral muscle on the outer aspect of either elbow, just below the main bone which can be felt (epicondyle)

in the large buttock muscles, either side, on the upper outer aspect, in the fold in front of the muscle (gluteus medius)

just behind the large bump of either hip joint where the piriformis muscle inserts

on either knee, in the fatty pad just above the inner aspect of the joint.

When the specific sites are being pressed, some health-care professionals will also press ‘neutral’ or ‘dummy’ sites in order to see whether or not the person being assessed is suffering from a more widespread, generalized sensitivity that might be something other than fibromyalgia.

How many people are affected?

“FMS is a ‘chronic invisible illness. . . We think 4% or more of all people have FMS.” (Starlanyl, 2002)

According to leading medical experts, 10 per cent of young women with chronic muscuskeletal pain (aged 20 to 49) fully meet the strict criteria for the diagnosis of FMS.

“Experts say that there seems to be some variation in sensitivity of the tender points, due to age, sex and race. For example:

Caucasians (white people of European stock) report more tender point sensitivity than do black races or Hispanics

women report more tender points than men

the number of tender sites reported increased with age with the maximum noted around the age of 70, on average” (Chaitow, 2001, p5).

Aim

The aim of this project was to determine

The effect of therapeutic reflexology on the general condition of patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome,

Whether reflexology treatments could bring relief from symptoms of FMS,

Whether reflexology could reverse the process, and eliminate some of the causes of FMS.

Methodology

Ten patients diagnosed with fybromyalgia syndrome by their doctors, volunteered to be case studies for this project. They received reflexology treatments twice a week for 5 weeks, i.e. a series of 10 treatments.

Conclusion

There was a marked improvement in the general condition of all the patients.

Reflexology treatments can bring relief from some of the symptoms of FMS.

It was not possible to prove without a doubt, that reflexology can reverse the process, and eliminate some of the causes of FMS.

References

Published Sources:

CHAITOW, L. (2001). Fibromyalgia and Muscle Pain: Your Self-Treatment Guide, London: Thorsons

CHRISTIAAN, D. (2001). Lifetime Health, Cape Town: Tafelberg

DOUGANS, I. (1998). Reflexology A Practical Introduction, Shaftesbury: Element

SELYE, H. (1975). Hans Selye The Stress of My Life, New York: Van Nostrand-Reinholdt

STARLANYL, D. (1996). Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Survival Manual, Oakland: New Harbinger

THOMPSON, K. (1956). Great House, London: George G. Harrap

UNDERWOOD, JOE. (2000). General and Systemic Pathology (Third edition), London: Churchill Livingston

VAN ELFEN, J. (2001). Dokter in die Huis (Tweede uitgawe), Cape Town: Tafelberg STORMER, C. (1995). Reflexology, the definitive guide, London:Hodder & Stroughton

Articles:

Fibromyalgia Network Newsletter, 1993, 1994,1997

GOLDENBERO, 0. (1993). Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and myafascial pain

syndrome, Current Opinion in Rheumatology 1993, Vol. 5, pp. 199-208

LOWE, J. et al. (1997). Effectiveness and safety of T3 therapy for euthyroid fibromyalgia

Clinical Bulletin of Myofascial Therapy, Vol. 2, pp. 31-58

MACINTYRE, A. (1993). What causes M.E.? - The Immune Dysfunction Hypothesis Journal of Action for ME, 1993, Vol. 14, pp. 24-5

MOLDOFSKY, H. (1993). Fibromyalgia, sleep disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome, Ciba Foundation symposium 173. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 1993, pp. 262-79

PELLIGRINO, MJ. (1989). Familial occurrence of primary fibromyalgia. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 1989 70 (1).

YUNUS, M. (1989). Fibromyalgia and other functional syndromes, Journal of Rheumatology Vol. 16, Supplement 19, No. 69

Internet:

STARLANYL, D. (2002). http://www.tidalweb.com/fms/rhg.shtml 31 January 2002
LAMB, B. (2003). http://www.drlamb.com/curefibromyalgia.htm. 19 June 2003

Aim

The aim of this thesis and the 5 case studies documented therein was to broaden practical treatment experience as well as the integration of theoretical and practical knowledge gained within the course. The purpose was to include the extra skills obtained in observing and reading the hands, face and feet as well as linking and interpreting meridian aspects.

Method

Five randomly chosen individuals participated in the treatment sessions and documentation thereof, with no specific common denominator in mind. The individuals therefore had only one aspect in common – receiving reflexology treatments.

Conclusion

In all the cases described in this thesis, reflexology had a definite positive effect on the health and overall wellbeing of the individuals.

Very definite signs and clues were provided by markings on the feet and the body to assist with the identification of possible meridian imbalances.

From the results obtained the most important was probably the improvement in health that all of the individuals experienced together with very important stress relief. Stress is the underlying cause of most diseases and problems and reflexology definitely assists in reducing stress levels and improving the quality of life.