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Examples of a few “abnormal” reflexology areas (RAs) with abnormal skin colour, swelling (convexity), and hollowness (concavity) formations. (a) Reddish brown colour on the RAs of pancreas (head), lumbar vertebrae, and knee-hip-sciatic nerve (medial). (b) Brown colour on the RA of knee and sciatic nerve (lateral). (c) Dark brown colour on the RAs of partial thoracic vertebrae (left) and lumbar vertebrae (left). (d) Black colour on the RA of gall bladder. (e) Swollen RAs of urinary bladder. (f) Hollowness (concavity) formation on the knee-hip-sciatic nerve (lateral).
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Scientific validation of reflexology requires an in-depth and noninvasive evaluation of "reflexology/reflex areas" in health and disease. The present paper reports the differential properties of "normal" and "abnormal" reflexology areas related to the lumbar vertebrae in a subject suffering from low back pain. The pathology is supported by radiolog...
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... 103 Several modern methods based on optical and spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and optical 410 coherence tomography have shown potential in in vivo identification of diseases such as cancers, including skin cancers and other skin disorders. [104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111] These modalities can be explored for EHK and other skin conditions as well. A recent study by Lima et al has shown classification 415 of nonmelanoma skin cancer from actinic keratosis (AK) and normal skin 112 suggesting potential of the technique in exploring other skin conditions including EHK. ...
Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EHK), earlier termed as bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma is a skin disorder characterized as an autosomal dominant and rare disorder which has been observed to affect 1 in over 200,000 infants as a consequence of a significant mutation in the genes responsible for the keratin proteins, mostly keratin 1 and 10. The features present at birth include erythema and blistering. In adults, the hallmarks include hyperkeratosis, erosions, and blisters. The major symptoms including xerosis, pruritus, and painful fissuring lead not only to cosmetic problems but also stress, inferiority complex and other psychological conditions. While clinical inspection followed by confirmatory tests including histopathology and electron microscopic assessment is used for diagnosis, treatment modalities can be further improved for better diagnosis. This article reviews subtypes of ichthyosis, with a focus on EHK, genetics behind the disease, recently reported mutations, the existing diagnostics and treatments for the same and potential of new modalities in diagnosis/treatment.
... Keeping this in view, the present trial was conducted based on the aforesaid hypothesis of reflexology that the stimulations generated by the finger movements on foot reflexology areas (RAs) would restore the homeostasis of the body organ functions and hence have therapeutic effect on diabetic neuropathy. In this context, it may be mentioned that the previous studies conducted by the presenting authors could reveal a few characteristic abnormal features of RAs corresponding to certain abnormally functioning body parts [21,22]. ...
... The SS-OCT with dermatology applications (OCM1300SS, Thorlabs Incorporated, Newton, New Jersey), comprising a high-speed frequency-swept external cavity laser ( central = 1325 nm), 3-dB spectral bandwidth (>100 nm), and an average output power of 10 mW, was used to record the subcutaneous data related to urinary bladder RAs at the pretherapy session. The instrument used for this purpose was described in detail in previous publications [21,24]. ...
... For the purpose of followup, the subjects were present at the reflexology laboratory (for reflexology group) and neuropathy clinic (both groups) once in a month for the remaining five months (initial one month was the training period for reflexology group patients). The quality assurance of the compliance of both group patients was monitored critically by pill counting method [33] (both groups) and by the reflexology method [21,22] (reflexology group) as well as by noticing the individual performances of the caregivers while applying the therapy. An identical method of health monitoring program for both the groups was followed and it was independently done by the clinicians physically located separately from the reflexology laboratory. ...
Background. The restricted usage of existing pharmacological methods which do not seem to provide the treatment of diabetic neuropathy may lead to exploring the efficacy of a complementary therapy. In this context, this paper was devoted to evaluate the efficacy of foot reflexology. This health science works on the hypothesis that the dysfunctional states of body parts could be identified by observing certain skin features and be rectified by stimulating certain specific areas mapped on feet. Method. Subjects (N = 58) with diagnosed diabetic neuropathy were randomly distributed into reflexology and control groups in which both group patients were treated with ongoing pharmacological drugs. Reflexology group patients were additionally treated holistically with the hypothesis that this therapy would bring homeostasis among body organ functions. This was a caregiver-based study with a follow-up period of 6 months. The outcome measures were pain reduction, glycemic control, nerve conductivity, and thermal and vibration sensitivities. The skin features leading to the detection of the abnormal functional states of body parts were also recorded and analyzed. Results. Reflexology group showed more improvements in all outcome measures than those of control subjects with statistical significance. Conclusion. This study exhibited the efficient utility of reflexology therapy integrated with conventional medicines in managing diabetic neuropathy.
... In reflexology , it is assumed that the particular body surface areas (which are interconnected to the internal body parts and maneuverable) manifest the functional status of the target organs and accordingly carry the characteristic physical signatures. The externally recordable surface features, which are observed either in single or in combination on the RAs, are stated as follows: (i) tenderness in response to pressure [2] [3], (ii) the skin colour (reddish brown, brown/dark brown, black), (iii) the texture (namely, scaling, cracking skin, recurring corns) [4], (iv) concavity, convexity formation (puffiness or swelling, depression) [5], (v) a rise in the localised temperature [6] [7], (vi) a change in electrical impedance [8], and (vii) the perceived presence of tiny granules [9] [10]. The methods for clinically assessing these RA changes suffer from subjectivity and thus pose certain limitations and thereby may mislead the reflexology researchers/practitioners when making conclusions about their observations [4] [11]. ...
... characterisation of the RAs mapped on the feet as related to the lumbar vertebrae (as per existing literatures [6] [12]) by skin swept source-optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) [13] [14] [15] in normal subjects and patients suffering from low back pain (LBP) [16]. Epidemiological studies have revealed that among musculoskeletal disorders, LBP is a common symptom and many subjects have reported experiencing LBP at least once in their life [17]. ...
Objective. When exploring the scientific basis of reflexology techniques, elucidation of the surface and subsurface features of reflexology areas (RAs) is crucial. In this study, the subcutaneous features of RAs related to the lumbar vertebrae were evaluated by swept source-optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in subjects with and without low back pain (LBP). Methods. Volunteers without LBP (n = 6 (male : female = 1 : 1)) and subjects with LBP (n = 15 (male : female = 2 : 3)) were clinically examined in terms of skin colour (visual perception), localised tenderness (visual analogue scale) and structural as well as optical attributes as per SS-OCT. From each subject, 6 optical tomograms were recorded from equidistant transverse planes along the longitudinal axis of the RAs, and from each tomogram, 25 different spatial locations were considered for recording SS-OCT image attributes. The images were analysed with respect to the optical intensity distributions and thicknesses of different skin layers by using AxioVision Rel. 4.8.2 software. The SS-OCT images could be categorised into 4 pathological grades (i.e., 0, 1, 2, and 3) according to distinctness in the visible skin layers. Results. Three specific grades for abnormalities in SS-OCT images were identified considering gradual loss of distinctness and increase in luminosity of skin layers. Almost 90.05% subjects were of mixed type having predominance in certain grades. Conclusion. The skin SS-OCT system demonstrated a definite association of the surface features of healthy/unhealthy RAs with cutaneous features and the clinical status of the lumbar vertebrae.
The ability to accurately locate the reflexive zones of the foot sole has been limited by research methods. In this paper, we propose a novel optical method to locate correctly the reflexive zones combining image registration and vision measurement. This approach can be performed quickly through transforming geometrically the standardized image (reference) of the reflexive zones in accord with that of the measured objects and projecting the transformed image back onto the plantar sole by an optical projection system. We present a novel transformation measure based on variable scale factor. For each point in the image coordinate system, the new coordinates are obtained through multiplying the initial coordinates by their corresponding scale factor. The deviations were calculated between the central point of the projecting image to that of the measured foot, and its 95% limits of agreement ranged from 2.35 to 2.50 mm. We demonstrate the algorithm working on 4 volunteer subjects' feet and the minimum difference was 1.51 mm. Results indicate that the proposed optical method locating the reflexive zones has better adaption and better operation, and can meet the requirement of self-medication and self-health compared with the traditional method via experienced doctors. This study lays a research foundation for locating other superficial features, such as acupuncture points, on body surface approximating a two-dimensional plane.
