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Ear Reflexology
Believe it or not, some people now practice what is known as ear reflexology, or “auricular therapy”. There are points on the ears which are thought to correspond to the heart, according to TCM, or traditional Chinese medicine, and it is thought that rubbing parts of the ear will thus relieve anxiety, and promote tranquility and calm. Rubbing other ear parts will have effects on other parts of the body.
Ears as a window to health have fascinated us for centuries – indeed, millennia. It is reported that in 400 BC people used to burn parts of their ears to relieve back pain, and that auricular acupuncture took off as early as 400 AD. A French doctor called Dr Paul Nogier reportedly worked out the modern-day reflux cartography of ear therapy, which is used today, in the 1950s after treating patients who had suffered ear burns in an attempt to treat other injuries.
The best part is that now you can practice therapeutic ear massage yourself, simply by grasping your ear between your thumb and forefingers and rubbing them gently together. For maximum effect it’s recommended that a qualified ear reflexologist shows you the ropes first. Just make sure you’ve used a Q-tip in the last year or two to avoid embarrassment. Happy rubbing!
Does Reflexology Really Work?
One of the more popular alternative treatments, reflexology has countless proponents who say it has far-reaching and long-lasting health benefits. Reflexologists claim their therapy can help everything from arthritis (because they say it can help stimulate the adrenal glands and reduce dependence on cortisone) to urinary tract infections (by working the bladder and kidney points located on the bottom of your foot).
However, its critics say that it’s a load of old hokum, and that the only health benefit is one anybody would get after spending time in a tranquil, quiet room having a (hopefully) pleasant massage. Dr Stephen Barrett MD, for example, has written an article about reflexology in QuackWatch, where he recounts several reflexology sessions her personally undertook to ascertain their effect.
During one session, a reflexologist told him that he could cure his severe shoulder pain, which had already been approved for major surgery, in just a few meetings. “His ‘treatment,’ which lasted about 10 minutes, consisted of massaging the foot and from time to time, pressing hard on the ball of my foot, a procedure that was quite painful,” Dr Barrett wrote. “The ‘treatment,’ of course, did absolutely nothing to help my shoulder. A few months later, I had the surgery, which cured the problem immediately and permanently.”
Reflexology should not be intended as a substitute for conventional medicine, but if it can make you feel better and you actually enjoy the experience it might be worth a whirl. However, you should consult your doctor before trying out any alternative treatment, even one that may appear seemingly innocuous.
If you have a foot fracture, open wound in the foot or active gout in the foot, you should avoid this therapy. Ditto for people with current thrombosis or embolism. If you are in the early stages of pregnancy tell your reflexologist so he or she can adjust the treatment accordingly. Talk to your doctor first if you have vascular conditions of the foot or leg.
It goes without saying that a suspension of disbelief is important if you are undertaking any alternative therapy, and that keeping an open mind is vital. Reflexologists are adamant that they themselves are not healers; instead, they are participants helping the body to heal itself. Don’t expect reflexology to cure you of any major health conditions, but it might just help alleviate minor foot pain. Then again, it might just be another (rather costly) pain in the ass…
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