Foot Reflexology

Reflexology is based on an absurd theory and has not been demonstrated to influence the course of any illness. Whether that is worth $35 to $100 per session is a matter of individual choice.
Claims that reflexology is effective for diagnosing or treating disease should be ignored.

This is according to Dr Stephen Barrett, writing in Quackwatch.

But according to Barbara and Kevin Kunz, internationally recognized authorities in reflexology, writing in Reflexology Research Project, controlled studies have shown foot reflexology applied during an active onset of angina and observed with EKG showed disappearance of symptoms and a change to T-waves in V1.3 elevated from depressed T-waves and T-waves in V5 inverted upright from an inversion of T-waves.

Also researchers at Glostrop hospital, Copenhagen, demonstrated that reflexology can help relieve the acute pain suffered by patients with kidney stones. 30 patients participated in the study and were divided equally into three groups: one group received reflexology treatment, one group received placebo treatment and the remaining groups were used as controls.

The results showed that 9 out of the 10 patients in the reflexology group experienced complete pain relief after the treatment which lasted for over an hour and in 5 of the patients pain was relieved for 4 hours. Dr Niels Baekgaard and Dr Vibe Hansen, who conducted the study, concluded that "Reflexology treatment of acute ureterolithiasis has a pain relieving effect" and when compared to Baralgin (a commonly administered analgesic), the findings revealed that reflexology actually works faster at alleviating pain although the effects last for a shorter duration.

So should people believe in scientific proof, or the time tested massage of the sole ? One shouldn't take those cobblestone pathways for bare-foot therapy too seriously, say foot reflexologists.
They simply provide a form of massage, certainly not miracle remedies for ailments.

One thing is certain. Those with serious disease such as cancer or heart attack make their way to ER, while those suffering minor ache and pain settle for the reflexology centre.