Thermography is a non-invasive medical technique that scans the body to detect certain illnesses and medical conditions. Many reflexology clinics and alternative medical practitioners, such as chiropractors, offer this service.
Reflexology is an alternative, holistic form of treatment that focuses on applying pressure to specific points on your body, usually on your ears or feet, to promote feelings of relaxation and wellness. Some research has shown that reflexology can provide benefits to certain physical and mental conditions.
About Thermography
Thermography, also known as digital infrared thermal imaging, is a method used to detect and monitor certain physical conditions. It is used to measure the amount of heat radiated by your body. The origins of thermography can be traced to the 1930s, when an electrical engineer named Dossa Evans showed his chiropractor an invention used to measure the temperature on both sides of your spine, according to Alternative Care Chiropractic. This device led to a number of scientific developments, ultimately leading to thermography. Although some practitioners use it to diagnose medical conditions, it is considered to be experimental and unproven by the American Medical Association, according to Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
What It Can Do
Proponents of thermography believe that it provides more reliable, detailed information than many commonly used forms of medical imaging, when used to detect and monitor certain conditions. According to Knoxville Reflexology Group, thermography can provide a means of visualizing and detecting pain as well as providing information about physiological change and metabolic processes. Thermograms may help detect conditions such as nerve pain, carpal tunnel disease, disc disease and whiplash.
About Reflexology
Reflexology is an ancient healing art form that has been used since ancient Egyptian times. Your body is believed to have certain pressure points and reflexology zones that correspond to certain illnesses and can also promote specific moods and emotions. During a reflexology treatment, a trained reflexologist will treat your feet and other parts of your body believed to have reflexology points, such as your ears, using gentle pressure to stimulate these points. Reflexology is thought to invoke feelings of calm and relaxation. While there's not a lot of evidence to back up its benefits, some researchers have found that reflexology treatments may help with certain illnesses and mental conditions.
Benefits
Reflexology treatments may help patients with chronic medical conditions by promoting feelings of relaxation and well-being. A study published in the January/February 2000 issue of the "Oncology Nursing Forum," found that reflexology treatments produced a significant decrease in anxiety among breast and lung cancer patients. In one of three pain measures, patients with breast cancer also experienced a decrease in their pain levels. Another study, published in the December 1993 issue of the journal "Obstetrics and Gynecology," showed that reflexology treatments helped improve symptoms of PMS in study participants, including improved mood and increased feelings of relaxation.
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