Circulatory System
Cardiovascular system
24 people participated in a study examining the impact of reflexology on baroreceptor reflex sensitivity, blood pressure and sinus arrhythmia. 10 people had reflexology, 10 had foot massage with 4 in the control group.
Results: The reflexology and foot massage groups showed significantly greater reductions in baroreceptor reflex sensitivity compared to the control group. This study found no significant difference in blood pressure after intervention. The frequency of sinus arrhythmia after reflexology and foot massage increased by 43.9% and 34.1% respectively."
(Frankel, B. S. M., "The effect of reflexology on baroreceptor reflex sensitivity, blood pressure and sinus arrhythmia," Complementary Therapies in Medicine ( England ), 1997, 5, pp. 80-84)
Coronary heart disease
58 cases of coronary heart disease were treated with reflexology and 67 cases with pharmacotherapy. 4 indexes were examined before and after treatment for both groups:
- clinical symptoms
- blood pressure/heart rate
- blood fat
- ECG.
1. Clinical Symptoms:
Chest distress, angina pectoris symptoms disappeared in reflexology group, unchanged in the pharmacotherapy group.
2. Blood pressure/heart rate:
Reflexology group (before): +185/80 / 86-74 ;(after):+160/75 /72-70 Pharmacotherapy group (before): +180/80 / 78-72; (after):+160/80 /76-70
3. Blood fat:
Reflexology group (before): high in some; (after): slightly changed, Pharmacotherapy group (before): high in some and (after): slightly changed
4. ECG:
Reflexology group (before): slight change in T-wave; (after): remarkably improved ECG, Pharmacotherapy group (before): change in ST-T wave and (after): certain improvement.
Zhongzheng, Li and Yuchun, Liu, "Clinical observation on Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease with Foot Reflexotherapy, 1998 China Reflexology Symposium Report, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, pp. 38 - 41