26/05/2024
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Worth the wait
Thanks to reflexologists Kevin & Barbara Kunz
REFLEXOLOGY LIGHTS THE BRAIN
Neurologists observed the brain light up "like a Christmas tree" during a groundbreaking research project aimed at seeing how reflexology affects the brain.
In the "Neural Pathways of Applied Reflexology" research project, even the most skeptical scientists from the team were stunned after analyzing data from thousands of brain scans performed during foot reflexology treatments.
The images were made using functional magnetic resonance (fMRI), which monitors changes in blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain. The results of these studies raise important questions about the interconnections of the human body and the importance of reflexology as an effective therapy.
Last week, reflexologists Kevin and Barbara Kunz presented on the reflectology community findings. Kevin and Barbara helped with the project and are independent researchers and authors of the publications.
Here's a summary of the discoveries that Kevin and Barbara shared:
"This study not only changes the way we see reflexology, it changes our view of how the human body works." Kevin Kunz
About research on reflexology and the brain
When Dr. Stefan Posse walked into his first reflexology session, at his wife's urging, Kevin immediately noticed that the esteemed professor and physicist was skeptical about the therapy's effectiveness. After the session, the physicist – who also runs the MRI research lab at the University of New Mexico – was certainly intrigued by the practice. In fact, this reflexology session was enough to start a whole research project on the effect of reflexology on the brain. In the coming months, Dr Stefan has joined forces with Kevin and Barbara, as well as a small team of other doctors and researchers who are also interested in the connection between mind and body. After four years, we already have preliminary results of their tests, based on two fMRI tests conducted at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
The first part of the study took place in April 2023 In a small group of healthy participants, the team examined the effect of reflexology on blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain. The study used state-of-the-art technology to collect real-time scans of the brain of each participant and reflexology techniques were used to the feet.
After applying pressure by reflexologists, the scientists expected of course, that the images would show activation in the sensory-muscular cortex associated with the feet. Surprisingly, the deeper parts of the brain have been activated. Moreover, certain areas of the brain were not directly connected with the feet. Furthermore, the activated areas were consistent with all study participants.
After obtaining the preliminary results, Dr Stefan and his team performed in September 2023 another study, this time comparing the same group of healthy participants with a group of stroke patients. Each patient has experienced a stroke in the last 4 to 17 years.
According to Kevin, researchers and neurobiologists were "surprised" by the results of both studies. Doctor Stefan even commented that during fMRI scans he witnessed "brain activation like a Christmas tree". Kevin added that the results showed reflexology's impact went far beyond researchers' expectations, revealing how foot reflexology activates deeper parts of the brain that are not directly connected to the feet.
"There were unexpected changes in blood flow to certain parts of the brain that were far beyond the sensual cortex of the foot," he said. "This study not only changes the way we see reflexology, it changes our view of how the human body works."
How reflexology affects the brain
A reflexology session often causes you to drift into another time and space. Some clients describe it as a state of deep meditation, and many report improvement in symptoms after a session, especially after a series of treatments. Studies have shown, that much more happens during reflexology treatment than was previously thought.
Here's a brief summary of what was discovered during this research.
The island's crust was one of the brain areas that was activated in all participants. This kora is connected to our psyche and emotional state. It's worth noting that it controls and regulates various parts of our nervous system and plays an important role in mental disorders. Another area of the brain that kept getting clearer was the coastal bend. This part of the brain plays a role in connecting our body with our mind and our sensory fields. By working with other parts of the brain, this bend helps us process internal and external information.
Finally, the mid-tortex was a part of the brain that was consistently activated in stroke patients who participated in the study. Memory, language comprehension, and processing of emotions are functions of this area. It also helps us to visually recognize familiar faces and objects. Interestingly, the medial plaque is the earliest area in the brain to indicate decline during Alzheimer's disease.
Limits of research
The study had several flaws, the main one of which was the small sample size of the participants. Only eight patients from two groups of healthy participants and stroke patients were selected in a study verifying the concept.
Also, the spring zones to which they were accessed were not consistent in both groups. This was due mainly to physical limitations of fMRI equipment and difficulty working in a confined space, especially with patients after stroke.
To illustrate this, in a group of post-stroke patients, reflexologists worked on the reflex zones of both feet - which relate to the eyes, the erosive nerve and the brain stem. In healthy participants, reflexologists worked on cerebral graft, eye, erosive nerve, adrenal and the adrenal lung, but only on the left foot.
Despite each of the limitations, neurobiologists continue to emphasize the reliability of the data because of the consistent findings in each participant group.
What's next with fMRI reflexology?
In early May, Dr. Stefan presented the results of a study of 5000 scientists at the annual meeting of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. After this presentation, he and his team will write an academic article in which they will present the results of the pilot test. Greater trials with even better technology are planned in the future. Applications for grants for further research have already been submitted. One of the more skeptical researchers on the team was so amazed by the results that he is considering further research.
If you would like to watch the full webinar on the study of fMRI, it is available through the Integrated Reflexology Consortium (IRC). There is a £5 fee to watch the presentation, which goes directly to the speakers, Kevin and Barbara.
Translation based on an article by Toria McGregor of Barefoot Holistics in Albany, Australia Barefoot Holistics Reflexology
Photo by Kevin and Barbara Kunz Kevin Kunz
