GCReflexology - Gabrielle Callahan

🔬 REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH | 2025

A randomized clinical trial has explored the effects of foot reflexology on pain and anxiety in people with leukaemia undergoing bone marrow aspiration.

The study included 68 participants who completed the trial. Those in the reflexology group received one 30-minute foot reflexology session, while the control group received routine care.

What did the researchers find?

Following the intervention, people who received reflexology experienced significantly lower anxiety compared with those receiving routine care alone.

Importantly, pain experienced during and after the bone marrow aspiration procedure was also significantly lower in the reflexology group.

The researchers additionally monitored physiological measures including blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation. While some changes were observed, the clearest findings of the study were the reductions in pain and anxiety.

The authors concluded that foot reflexology may be a valuable non-invasive, supportive approach for helping manage procedural pain and anxiety in people undergoing bone marrow aspiration.

This is particularly interesting for the reflexology profession. Even a single 30-minute session was associated with measurable differences in this clinical setting, adding to the developing evidence around the potential role of reflexology within supportive and integrative healthcare.

While the findings are encouraging, this is one clinical trial in a specific patient population. Further high-quality research is needed to establish how broadly these findings can be applied.

As always, reflexology is a complementary therapy and does not replace appropriate medical treatment or cancer care.

📚 Research:
The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Pain and Anxiety in Patients with Leukaemia Undergoing Bone Marrow Aspiration: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

_____

We're starting trouble today. 😇

Some reflexologists want nothing between their hands and the tissue.

Others have their favorite cream, balm, powder or lubricant and aren't giving it up for anybody.

So let's hear it:

Bare hands or product?

And if you're Team Product — what are you using and WHY?

Technique? Grip? Skin type? Tradition? Training? Personal preference?

Professional discussion is encouraged.

Good-natured trash talking may also be tolerated. 😂👣

How can reflexology help those suffering from symptoms related to lymphoma? "At baseline, both intervention and control groups were the same in terms of fatigue, pain, and sleep quality (p > 0.05). However, a significant difference was found between the two groups regarding fatigue, pain, and sleep quality after the intervention (all p < 0.05)," the 2019 clinical study found. Read the study here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31669916.

Check out upcoming reflexology courses for Laura Norman Holistic Reflexology at https://lauranorman.com.

https://icr-reflexology.org/icr-a-p-refresher-classes/

Dress Appropriately: Wear light-colored clothing and long pants tucked into socks in wooded or brushy areas.

Book your next appointment.

IT IS HERE!!!
The new American Standard Reflexology Maps!
ARCB utilizes this map and ask that you base your documentation and exam prep on this charts.
You can also find the Hand map on ARCB.net - Resources tab.

We’re excited to announce the 2024 release of the national certification exams!

Each of you played an important part in making the 2024 release a reality. Whether it was serving as a Subject Matter Experts (SME), providing draft questions, volunteering to take the Job analysis and/or the pilot exams. We are deeply grateful to each of you for your support the past two years.

As part of our front line support you know that the 2024 exam release is a huge step forward for our profession, and reflects an evolution for the United States reflexology community - raising our standards and professionalism while supporting reflexologists across the country.

Please join us December 2nd for a look at the new exams!

The ARCB Board of Directors

Email signup sent out this week.
If you didn’t receive it contact us.

ARCB News Journal Vol 38 2023.
To read full journal visit :
https://www.arcb.net/post/reflexology-today