Medical applications of Reflexology: : Findings in Research about Cancer Care

Research demonstrates that cancer patients who receive reflexology work experience significant improvements in physical and emotional symptoms, being provided with help in the management of symptoms and the side effects of chemotherapy. That research is reported here in Medical Application of Reflexology: Findings in Research about Cancer. Studies from eleven countries show improvements for patients during all aspects of the cancer experience: - Chemotherapy Symptoms are lessened for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy when reflexology is applied. Results from research show patients experience decreases in nausea, vomiting, anxiety, fatigue and depression. - Management of symptoms during cancer care Management of symptoms is improved for cancer patients receiving reflexology as demonstrated by research. Lessened pain, anxiety, stress, nausea and depression was realized by hospitalized patients with implications for use of reflexology at home by trained family members. - Post-operative care Studies show that reflexology application post-operatively results in lessened pain and anxiety for cancer patients. - Palliative/hospice care Reflexology use for cancer patients in hospice or palliative care helps reduce physical and emotional symptoms, alleviate fatigue, improve quality of sleep as well as providing a method to experience a helping presence when applied by a family member.