REFLEXOLOGY CASE STUDYClient: Casey Lee (anonymous name)

by Connie S. Young, Certified Reflexologist

Client History Diabetic neuropathy;

Compliant diabetic who eats well and takes care of herself;

Normal weight, but swollen neck;

Open wound on great toe (ongoing condition for two years—started 5 Dec. 2006);

Callused feet on medial side—both feet—open wound on left great toe only;

History of Wound Treatment

Client treatment prior to reflexology: Used expensive cream application prescribed by

doctors (client said there was no visible healing);

Soaked feet in hydrogen peroxide every day;

Wrapped wound when it was seeping blood.

Client pursued many types of conventional medical healing and alternative healing modalities before trying reflexology as a “last resort.”

Reflexology Treatment/Study Client treatment—once a week sessions for first six

weeks Sometimes treatments were more than one week apart out of

necessity.

Assessment with client would determine further treatment at the end of six treatments. Client /Practitioner chose to continue treatments every two

weeks.

Client was requested to stop hydrogen peroxide soaking and only clean the wound dabbing it with hydrogen peroxide using cotton balls. Client chose to discontinue using hydrogen peroxide completely.

Client was asked not to change any other element of her routine concerning the wound during reflexology treatments for the duration of the case study.

Sinus ReflexesEye Reflexes

Ear Reflexes

Eye Reflexes

Lung Reflexes

Ear Reflexes

Sinus Reflexes

Lung Reflexes

PituitaryHypothalamus

Pineal

EsophagusThyroid

ParathyroidTrigeminal Nerve

Chronic eyesChronic earsPericardium

HeartLungs

AdrenalsStomachPancreasKidneysDuodenu

m

Liver Gall Bladder

Reflexes

Ileocaecal Valve

Spleen Reflex

UreterSmall

IntestinesSigmoid Reflex

AppendixColon Reflexes Colon Reflexes

Shoulder Reflex Shoulder Reflex

KneeKnee

Session One

Session One: Client’s feet are both callused and the pad of the right foot is quite swollen compared to the left foot. Notice the toes against the pad itself. Compare to Session Three.

Progression of Healing

Session One: Pictures were taken following the first reflexology treatment.

These pictures show the wound, but do not show the seeping of blood,

The photos show the swelling in the foot and the pad of the foot.

The right foot also had calluses that showed cracking and some roughness of skin.

Feet: Session One

Note the size of the toe and the swollen pad of the foot and great toe.

Session One

The picture is the same size as in

session one. So is the circle—this is to help the eye see the

difference in the wound.

Note the size of the toe and the swollen pad of the foot and great toe.

Session One

Dorsal Side: Session One

Note the swelling of the great toe on the

left foot—client complained that she could not “feel” her

feet.

Client Reaction

Following the first treatment, the client wrote: “Just wanted to let you know, that while I

cannot pinpoint exactly what, I can tell that my feet feel most decidedly different since the session yesterday.  I know this is going to be a worthwhile venture for me” (Casey Lee).

“P.S. In the meantime, I am trying to get more in touch with ‘feet’ things that are unfamiliar for me . . . I am excited, and will be in contact.”

Session Two

Progression of Healing Session Two: Pictures were taken after the foot was soaked in

clear water for five minutes prior to the reflexology treatment; The photo shows the yellowing underneath the skin showing

the depth of the wound; EPCs explained: “Diabetic?”; In an article entitled “Endothelial Progenitor Cell [EPC] Release

into Circulation is Triggered by Hyperoxia-Induced Increases in Bone Marrow Nitric Oxide [NO],” researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia believe “EPC mobilization into circulation is triggered by hyperoxia through induction of bone marrow NO with resulting enhancement in ischemic limb perfusion and wound healing” (3); (see Abstract);

Stimulating the reflexes of the feet may induce this healing process naturally. Further study needs to be pursued in this area;

Compare Session One with Session Two as the treatment given has improved circulation to the wound and allowed the body to begin the healing process without injections or other treatments.

Feet: Session Two;

Graphic Representation

Found in the article “Cellular and Molecular Basis of Wound Healing in Diabetes” by Harold Brem and Margana Tomic-Canic

AbstractEndothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are known to contribute to wound healing but the

physiologictriggers for their mobilization are often insufficient to induce complete wound healing in thepresence of severe ischemia. EPC trafficking is known to be regulated by hypoxic gradients

andinduced by VEGF-mediated increases in bone marrow nitric oxide (NO). Hyperbaric oxygen(HBO) enhances wound healing though the mechanisms for its therapeutic effects areincompletely understood. It is known that HBO increases nitric oxide levels in perivasculartissues via stimulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Here we show that HBO increases bonemarrow NO in vivo thereby increasing release of EPC into circulation. These effects are

inhibitedby pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME). HBO-mediatedmobilization of EPC is associated with increased lower limb spontaneous circulatory recoveryafter femoral ligation and enhanced closure of ischemic wounds and these effects on limbperfusion and wound healing are also inhibited by L-NAME pretreatment. These data show

thatEPC mobilization into circulation is triggered by hyperoxia through induction of bone marrowNO with resulting enhancement in ischemic limb perfusion and wound healing. (Goldstein et.

al 1)

Sessions One and Two

Session One: Note the size of the toe and the swollen pad of the foot and great toe.

Session Two: Here the swelling has receded and the skin is beginning to heal around the wound.

Client Reaction Following the second treatment, the client shared:

“Usually my feet feel like shapeless stumps that just ‘thud’ [on] the ground . . . sometimes with sharp knife-like pain that stabs, though I cannot really pin-point the exact location. This manifests itself in different degrees of precarious balance.

Immediately after the session yesterday, my feet felt much more in touch with the ground.  A vein in my left toe was visible to the knuckle right before the end of my big toe.

My balance today is pretty good, and, while sometimes, I limp, or my right foot drags a bit, there was none of that thus far today.  The sensation of having had a ‘deep tissue’ massage only in the feet (including toes, heels, and middle of foot) was not extremely strong, but very definitely present.”

Session Three

Session Three: The callused right foot was healing remarkably, while the left foot was definitely improved. Swelling was down and the client’s toes on the left foot were looking more normal in size. Compare to Session One. Back to Session Four.

Progression of Healing Session Three: Pictures were taken prior to

treatment. Indications: The wound was healing very slowly. The left foot was definitely less swollen. The client felt more ability to balance herself when

walking. She started to “feel” the treatment as if it were a “deep

tissue massage.” Hypothesis: Stimulating the reflexes of the feet may induce

EPC healing process naturally. Compare Session One with Session Two as the

treatment given has improved circulation to the wound and allowed the body to begin the healing process without injections or other treatments.

Feet: Session Three

Session Three

The picture is the same length (see green line) as in

session one. So is the circle—this is to help the eye see the

difference in the wound.

Session One and Three

The toe and pad of foot look less swollen and the wound is coming to the surface. There is also new, healthy skin forming at the edges of the wound.

Client Reaction Following the third treatment the client shared:

“The day after my appt. I noticed obvious foot veins, reaching at the highest, to the space between toes 2 & 3 (the big toe being #1) on my left side.  Veins were clearly seen on the right side to the 1st joint below the toe nail on my big toe.

Balance seems more grounded . . . and, it was tested as I worked a lot in my yard today, which has many sharp inclines and uneven surfaces.  The sore looks good, and seems to be ‘bonding’ some.  My feet felt sore, but in a healthy way . . . like they had been subject to a ‘deep tissue’ massage.

Also, I am noticing a little less pain/discomfort on the outside of  my  right knee and into my right hip” (Casey Lee).

Session Four

Session Four: The callused left foot was healing slowly, while the right foot was definitely improved. Swelling was down and the client’s toes were looking more normal in size. Compare to Session One, Session Three.

Progression of Healing

Session Four: Pictures were taken after the foot reflexology treatment.

Compare the pictures of the feet taken in Sessions one, three, and four. If you look closely at the left foot’s toes, you will see the swelling and its regression from Session to Session.

Feet: Session Four

Dorsal Side: Session Four

Session Four

Session Four

1 3

4

Sessions One and Four

ComparisonsSession

One

Session Three

Session Four

Before Treatment

After Treatment

Session Five

Progression of Healing

Session Five: Pictures were taken before the treatment and after the treatment to compare how the treatment affects the feet. It was interesting to note that the wound looked more dry after the treatment.

The client expressed concern that there was a new piece to the wound.

Feet: Session Five Before Treatment Feet: Session Five After Treatment

Before Treatment

After Treatment

Client Reaction: Session Five After the fifth treatment the client shared:

“More good news!  My sore looks good, and my feet are back to feeling more ‘grounded,’ thus . . . better balance!  I can feel a little more sensation in them, as well.

Thanks for working on the part of the right foot that affects my knee and hip. I have noticed less discomfort in the knee, in particular.

Finally, I am so glad you called my attention to my neck.  I have really been taking note of my mirrored reflection (for a change) . . . you are right again!  There IS a difference.  There is more definition in the neck, especially right at the jaw line. PLEASE keep working on that!

I believe your efforts on my behalf are paying off . . . thank you so much.”

~~Casey Lee

Dorsal Side: Session Five

1 3

4

Before Treatment

After Treatment

5 The wound shows a definite change in appearance from before the session

to after the session, which might

support the theory that EPC stimulus is

evident through reflex stimulation of

the foot.

ComparisonsSession

One

Session Three

Session Four

Session Five

Session Five

Session Six

Session Six

Progression of Healing

Session Six: Pictures were taken before the client’s treatment and just following the treatment as well.

The toe also diminished in size, which makes it difficult to see with the eye what has happened to the wound.

Feet: Session Six Before Treatment Feet: Session Six After Treatment

Session Five

Session Six

Before Treatment

After Treatment

After Footbath

Right Foot Progress

Session Six

One tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of sea salt added to the footbath.

Everything else was the same.

Before Treatment

After Treatment

After Footbath

LeftFoot Progress

Client Reaction Session Six Wound looked like it was coming

toward the surface and opening up more.

Swelling decreased. Client was still encouraged and

hopeful to see full and complete healing of this wound.

Dorsal Side: Session Six

Session Seven

Session Seven

Progression of Healing

Session Seven: Pictures were taken before the client’s treatment and just following the treatment as well.

Feet: Session Seven Before Treatment

Feet: Session Seven After Treatment

Dorsal Side: Session Seven

Client Reaction Session Seven Client is still encouraged and hopeful to see

full and complete healing of this wound. On Session seven the client also shared

that she had realized a side benefit of the treatments. She had decided to trim her toenails. Her third toe nail was prone to detach from the skin and fall off three times a year. When she started trimming, she felt she would need to be cautious of that toenail. She discovered that the toenail was now fully attached and just like her other toenails again. She was surprised and delighted!

Session Seven

Session Six

Session Seven

Session Six

Session Five

Session Seven

5 &7

The wound looks as if it is getting larger, but the skin

underneath is healing—the

surface is now creating

healthy skin. The wound is

less deep.

Session One

Session Five

Session Seven

Comparisons:Session

One

Session Seven

Session Eight

Progression of Healing

Session Eight: Pictures were taken before the client’s treatment and just following the treatment as well.

Feet: Session Eight Before Treatment Feet: Session Eight After Treatment

Session One

Session Eight

Comparisons

Session One

Session Four

Session Eight

Session Nine

Session One

Progression of Healing (continued)

Session Nine: Pictures were taken after the client’s treatment.

Feet: Session Nine After Treatment

Session NineSession One

Session One

Session Five

Session Nine

Session Five

Session Seven

5 , 7, & 9

The wound is knitting

together and the skin is definitely healing.Session Nine

Progression of Healing

Session Ten: Pictures were taken after the client’s treatment.

Feet: Session Ten After Treatment

Comparisons: Sessions One to Nine

Session One

Session Four

Session Eight

Session Nine

Comparisons

Comparisons: Sessions One to Nine

Session Ten

30 July 2008

20 August 2008

27 August 2008

5 November 2008

1 September 2008

10 September 2008

24 September 2008

8 October 2008

24 October 2008

5 November 2008

19 November 2008

Client Reaction Session Ten Client is still discouraged to see the

wound looks somewhat larger, but encouraged to know that it is not as deep as before and that healing is still visibly taking place.

The client also experienced a bit of a setback in that she realized she had developed an infection in a particular area of the wound, but nursed it back to health before coming to her tenth session for reflexology.

Session Eleven

Composite of Wound Inverted

9 11

Composite of Wound Inverted 3 December

200830 July2008

Composite of Wound Inverted 3 December

200830 July2008

30 July2008

11 February 2009

Comparisons

Session Eleven

Session Nine

Comparisons

Session Eleven

Session Nine

Session Sixteen

Comparison of Wound

1

23

4

5

67

8

10

9

11

16

Comparison of Wound

1

23

4

5

67

8

9

10

11

16

Conclusions

Reflexology can help the body’s processes to improve blood flow of the circulatory system, increase the efficiency of the nervous system, and allow the body’s environment to return to homeostasis.

Healing is enhanced and encouraged with reflexology treatments, even in diabetic wounds, so it would be appropriate to believe that health is also enhanced and encouraged in those who are already healthy, or in situations where people need healing of any chronic or symptomatic issue.

To assume reflexology is only a complimentary or alternative method of healing would be an understatement.

Reflexology is a necessary and vital treatment for preventative health, repairing health, and equipping the body to fight disease more efficiently.

Seeing is believing . . .

Can you live without reflexology?Sure, but after seeing this, do you want to live without it?

First Session

Tenth Session

Seeing is believing . . .

Can you live without reflexology?Sure, but after seeing this, do you want to live without it?

First Session Eleventh SessionTwelfth Session

Sixteenth Session

Session Sixteen

Healing 12 August 2009. . .

If the body can visibly heal its own wounds through this kind of hands on consistent working of the reflexes of the feet, what does it do to help the internal wounds, issues, organs, and systems of the body? We can’t visibly watch those changes. However, this evidence suggests to me that what reflexology can do to help the internal health and exterior health is palpable and worth our understanding and patience to wait for these results.

See why you need reflexology?!

Thanks so much!CyReflexology

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