Friday, April 24, 2009

Is Reflexology a Scam?

Sometimes I get asked the question, 'is reflexology a scam?', so I thought I'd write a blog update about reflexologists and reflexology and try and get to the bottom of this problem.

Here are the main points people make supporting the idea of reflexology being a scam:
  • It doesn't have any medical backing whatsoever
  • Doctors, medical experts, and other sensible people keep criticising it
  • Reflexologists are generally quite kooky new age hippy types
  • The ideas behind it conflict with lots of proven, peer-reviewed medical concepts. Eg:
    • The notion that Qi (life energy or some such thing) exists in the first place
    • That this Qi flows around the body
    • That 'blockages' in this flow cause health problems
    • That you can unblock these blockages and fix the problems
    • ..By massaging feet for £25+/hour
And here is the evidence supporting reflexology:
  • It's quite relaxing and maybe that helps somehow
  • Some people believe in Qi and if people believe in something it must be true
  • Chinese people have believed in Qi for ages and use it as the basis for loads of traditional medicine
  • Maybe science isn't right all the time or even most of the time
...Personally, I'll let you make the decision over whether you think reflexology is a scam or not. There's plenty of evidence on either side! I don't know if I could ever be totally sure.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Reflexology Socks

Here's a link to some socks that are meant to provide reflexological benefits. I'm not sure about them. Personally, I think the services of a professional reflexologist are always better!