Effectiveness or else for reflexology in Australia
“Alternative therapies including homeopathy, reflexology and remedial and Swedish massage may be cut from private health coverage.” federal Health Minister Kay Patterson “wants to ensure that all services offered by private health fund have direct health benefit. … “These services are subsidised under the Government’s $2. billion health fund rebate which refunds 30 percent of private health cover costs to members. … Another viewpoint is that the government is seeking to evaluate the effectiveness of natural therapies. One hospital manager notes that “I think it is probably appropriate, to ensure our health dollars are being targeted in the right areas.’”… there has been a big movement towards natural therapies in recent years with patients looking for alternative solutions to their ailments. … They (natural therapy practitioners) should not be concerned but should be aware that we are being asked to review the effectiveness of natural therapies.’” (Young, Kane, “Therapies face private cover axe,” news.com.au, Sept, 17, 2003)
Problems in Singapore
Reflexology has become a profession of opportunity for “study mothers,” women who emigrate to Singapore from China seeking a better education for their children. One study mother hoped to find a job appropriate to her college degree but Singapore’s tough job market steered her to her current job
- working ten hours a day as a reflexologist. She is concerned about the corns that have developed on her fingers but earns twice as much money working as a reflexologist instead of store clerking. Authorities in Singapore have another concern - “massage businesses, where ‘special’ sexual services are sometimes just a few dollars away.Concerns have progressed to the point where “‘based on anti-vice feedback, the ministry (of manpower) will be stringent in granting work passes to certain occupations,’” said a Ministry of Manpower spokeswoman, referring to masseuses and foot reflexologists.’” … “David Yang, 45, who manages a foot reflexology and body massage shop in Chinatown, said it is now impossible to employ Chinese workers. “‘It’s good the government is stricter now otherwise things might get out of hand, I’ve heard of many foot reflexologists who end up providing ‘extra services,’” said Yang who employs two Chinese mothers. “Most Chinese mothers feel that, while there are cases of Chinese women providing sexual favors, the majority do not and it’s unfair to label all Chinese women as prostitutes.” (“Singapore deals with a flood of migrants from China,” Taipei Times, Sept. 23, 2003, p. 16)
Proliferation of Reflexology Products
Now available at a Discovery Channel store near you: reflexology products and books. The Discovery Channel label is on two products found at its 150 stores: the “Portable Spiny (Reflexology) Ball Stress Reliever” and the “Flexible Foot Massager.” The Spiny Ball is a hard plastic spiked ball. The Flexible Foot Massager is a unique product. The product consists of two half-domes with a flat surface and a rounded, spiked surface. Standing on the spiked surface is a challenge but the half-domes are flexible and give. Also on display, the Kunz and Kunz book, Reflexology, Health at your fingertips. (Products also available at www.discovery.com)
Reflexology’s in Fashion
Fashion company designer Eileen Fisher offers her employees a “$1,000 annual wellness stipend, to be spent on healthful activities like massage and reflexology.” (Pofeldt, Elaine, “Designing a Workplace Culture,” Fortune Small Business, September 24, 2003)
Best spas Among the world’s
ten best spas, two include pools to pay attention to the feet. “Circular
reflexology pools of pebbles” “The Ananda
(wellness centre in the Himalayas of India) has possibly the best
relaxation room in the world - floor to ceiling windows with
magical views of the river Ganges. The Wellness Centre has 20
treatment room, a couple of sauna and steam cabins, and circular
reflexology pools of pebbles, which massage your feet as
you walkthrough them (painful at the time but you feel great
afterwards).” “An invigorating Kniepp foot-massage
pool” “The five-star Angsana Resort is located
on the north-east shore of the historic Dead Sea and is the largest
non-medical luxury spa in Jordan … “An invigorating
Kniepp foot-massage pool is designed to boost circulation while the
Dead Sea’s salt concentration of 3 - 20%, maintained in the
pools has a detoxifying and rejuvenating effect.” (Duckett,
Susan, “Ten of the best,” The Spa Directory,
carlton Press, Sept. 13, 2003) Reflexology in
Popular Culture Light Entertainment April
7, 2003 Extra NBC “Thankfully the Canyon Ranch Spa decided to
plunk itself right in the middle of the madness here at the Venetian.
I’M going to get a massage. Now this is what I’m talking
about. This fabulous escape boasts 120 spa services, including reflexology,
pedicures, facials, and indoor rock climbing and full gym “ July 2, 2003 Today Show,
NBC (Pedicure demonstration)…activity
of grooming do you recommend putting in cream on and sleeping in
socks? “No, you could end up with a foot fungus. Don’t do
it but you can cream your feet before you go to bed. Yes, she (the
pedicurist) is also doing reflexology. (Eds. note: while
wearing thick rubber gloves). Reflexology is very relaxing.”
Katie Kouric: “All right, it’s kind of fun to pay
attention to your feet all year long but particularly in summer when
everybody else can see them …” June 20, 2003 Bold and the
Beautiful, CBS, Soap opera Nick: “Just relax,
enjoy.” Brooke: “You’re really good.” Nick “That’s
what they tell me.” Brooke: “where’d you learn to
do this anyway?” Nick: China. It’s called reflexology.
It is a way of relieving stress through pressure points. Yeah, see,
every organ in your body is connected to a pressure point in your
foot and in order to relieve that stress, you have to find the
pressure-point and apply the pressure. it puts the organ back in
balance. Brooke: “oh, oh.” Nick: “You see this one
right here that one’s connected to your liver and that one to
your spleen. There’s the kidney and you know what this one’s
connected to? Brooke: “What?” Nick: “Your heart.” May 30, 2003, WNYW
“Well, going to the
spa used to be considered a luxury. Linda in these stressful times it’s
become necessary. From aromatherapy products to reflexology
techniques the road to well being is simply rejuvenating.” Jul. 18 2003, Mirror.co.uk
“There are three
good reasons why men should applaud Serena Williams.… “First,
she has a set of very well developed and highly defined
muscles. She needs them to play tennis at the highest level. …
“Second, we should appreciate the fact that she is dedicated to
her career and the fact she looks great can be considered a bonus.
It's almost like women's tennis is a serious sport for a moment and
not just something played by Cheshire ladies who lunch in between
reflexology sessions and interviewing new “staff”.…”Third,
we are also slightly envious. (Bill Borrows, M columnist and
Editor-at-Large of Maxim magazine, “Serena: Sexy or Scary?
Serena sets off hot debate”) Light
Reading “‘I’m
okay (after finding a dead body)’” I said. “‘Thanks.
It was such a shock. I’d come up here (to a spa) from New York
City expecting to discover the benefits and joys of reflexology,
and the next thing I know I’m giving mouth to mouth to a mummy.’”
(White, Kate, A Body to Die For, Warner Book,
2003) Spring 2001 P. O. Box 35820,
Albuquerque, NM 87176 Web sites: www.reflexology-research.com
and www.foot-reflexologist.com Fax: 505-344-0246, Phone:
505-344-9392, email http://www.foot-reflexologist.com
http://www.myreflexologist.com
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