Читать книгу Reflexology: The Definitive Practitioner's Manual: Recommended by the International Therapy Examination Council for Students and Practitoners - Beryl Crane - Страница 46

Western medical science has overcome so many things. The prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease have benefited greatly by the development of injections and vaccinations, and of sophisticated surgery incorporating pain management, anaesthetics, antibiotics, and vital organ transplants. However, it is still powerless to treat a lot of the common everyday ailments, and is still largely unable to relieve the emotional and stress-related problems that we suffer from today without resorting to the use of drugs.

The definition of medicine does not include only substances used for treating disease; it also involves the wider art and science of treating and understanding disorders, which includes their prevention, and the maintenance and restoration of health. We need to realize there are alternatives to drugs. Drugs suppress rather than cure the problem; also, they form only part of the total care of the patient. It is not my purpose here to emphasize the differences between reflexology and Western medicine, but to show that the two should work hand in hand and share their knowledge. However, disquiet about the safety of some of the day to day medicines has led to a growing refusal by people to accept the attitude of some doctors that ‘you will have to learn to live with it’. They also may find it frustrating when visiting their general practitioners (GPs) to find that only a few minutes can be spent with them. Not all GPs are so rushed, though, and, more than ever, many are now adopting a more holistic approach to their patients. Many treatments formerly considered ‘alternative’ are now being included in some general practices. For example, GPs may often incorporate counselling, hypnosis, psychotherapy, but also include some of the complementary therapies; the latter include reflexology, which can be administered by non-medical but qualified practitioners.

Even so, often powerful drugs are given, which take away symptoms fast, yet may do nothing to correct the underlying cause. The real cause could be that you are angry with your partner, or that you are having problems at work, or you could be in a non-fulfilling job. All of these types of problems create stress, and in turn many disorders such as troubles with the digestion, headaches or back problems. The drugs that are prescribed may provoke new problems or cause more side-effects than the original illness. For instance, tranquillizers are often given in times of extreme stress, but can easily become addictive. As reflexologists know, side-effects of such drugs can cause sore spots in the reflexes of the hand, feet and ears.

The medical profession themselves are still uncertain as to the safety of the chemicals referred to as medicine or ‘prescription drugs’. No drug is ‘safe’ in the sense that it can never harm anybody; the dose may be critical, and one person may not be able to take the same amount as another. Furthermore, regardless of how clear instructions are, human error can create difficulties with proper usage. Patients are more aware now of the possibility of side-effects and contraindications to some drugs than ever before. However, many people buy vitamins, patent medicines and other remedies over the counter and these also are not entirely free from side-effects. For instance, vitamins are important for good health, but if taken in excess can cause toxic effects and sometimes an allergic response. It is common knowledge that we have become a nation of pill takers, and often the temptation to take medication is at its greatest when we are unable to seek medical advice. There is always a temptation to indulge in self-medication, but a sensible selection of basic medications for everyday needs is all that is required. No drug should be taken casually or carelessly.

Drug dependence is a term that is now used daily; it indicates that the person suffers in some way if the medication is stopped. This effect is typical of the benzodiazepine group of drugs, which act as a depressant on the central nervous system. These common tranquillizing and antianxiety drugs cause the body to become tolerant to a given dosage, so the dosage has to be increased, causing the person gradually to become dependent. As holistic practitioners, we have a responsibility never to encourage patients to come off any drugs, as this issue is between the medical practitioner and the patient and usually drug treatment must be decreased gradually. However, it is possible to encourage patients into making sure the GP is aware of their feelings if they wish to pursue a more holistic approach, as there are alternatives. Natural healing therapies may be time-consuming in the long term, but are generally less invasive and in many cases far more effective. Complementary treatments such as reflexology are a sensible idea for the busy GPs in these situations, and may even save the medical profession a lot of extra expense and time.

Patients are also guilty of pressuring doctors, and some people expect to be given a prescription, feeling that they must not leave empty-handed. These type of people are often not receptive to the concept of holistic medicine. However, drugs and surgery should be used as a last resort, not as a routine measure. The members of the medical profession themselves are now becoming more hesitant in the use of operations, for instance the removal of tonsils, which used to be a standard childhood procedure, or appendectomy, which was formerly often performed routinely when doing other routine procedures for abdominal surgery. Even the extent of vital radical surgery such as a mastectomy or a Caesarean is being re-examined for necessity.

When the British Medical Association set up a committee to look into alternative medicines, they were interested in looking at the effects of alternative therapies as measured by science-based research, which demands measurable proof that a patient’s condition has been improved. To date, however, there have been very few clinical trials. Therefore a scientific inquiry is needed into the efficacy of reflexology, to test the fact and to elucidate on our theories, different levels of pressure must be adopted for true verification of relief of symptoms and pain. As practitioners, we know reflexology is a therapy that gives measurable benefits and in some cases relieves the problem completely. However, for the scientific community just feeling better is not enough proof.

Many doctors now use acupuncture for pain relief. That said, many do not use the TCM ideas of affecting the energy flow to give a complete comprehensive treatment of the whole person. They adhere to scientific research showing that acupuncture works by stimulating nerve fibres to send out pain-blocking messages stimulating production and release of endorphins and encephalins. Reflexology cannot be so wholeheartedly and equally accepted by them unless it can also be explained in this way. This may be at odds with the ideas of complementary therapists who claim that their sensitive hands or fingers feel ‘blockages’. Nevertheless, as practising complementary practitioners, healing the whole person is of paramount importance.

Within the therapy session, sympathetic listening and talking become a way of communicating and healing, in which anxieties are reduced and a more positive attitude of mind is encouraged to bring about swift healing, in which individuals also adopt more self-help measures. Relaxation is a must and it is an essential part of acquiring physical and mental well-being to relieve day-to-day tensions and stresses. There are so many techniques that can be encouraged for relaxation: for example, simple breathing exercises calm the mind and body, and many ancient traditions used breathing to alter mental states. Many methods use this, including meditation and yoga and, over the last decade, Tai Chi and Qigong; the latter ancient arts also include focused awareness and relaxed exercises. Daily use of these methods is reputed to increase a resistance to ill-health and in many cases cure the disease, improve the digestive and circulatory systems, enhance many of the internal secretions and increase vigour. Some research seems to substantiate these claims.

A reflexologist working on the solar plexus and diaphragm reflexes points also often induces a state of calm. It is recognized that different breathing patterns are connected to general health problems and anxious people often breath more rapidly, causing shallow breathing, which robs the tissues of oxygen and nutrients. Reflexology is not a cure-all, but it has been used to treat many common ailments and apparently can significantly reduce anxiety and stress.