RiEN Conference Madeira **** The Presentations ****

Have you ever been in a conference room and tried to write down everything that is being said?
Nowadays we film or take pictures of the powerpoint presentation also.

But, this does not actually allow us το actually "listen" and be inspired to the maximum by the speaker.
So for the people that attended our conference, which was by the way a huge success in every direction, we have a link further down leading to most of the presentations, nine to be exact!

For those that did not attend our conference this time....
We understand both your desire to continuously learn, and that maybe due to financial priorities you were unable to attend our RiEN conference in Madeira.

Because of this, and because the RiEN is exactly about networking, and thanks to our SUPER webmaster Ingrid De Vos, we have uploaded the majority of the presentations on our website for you too!
Please go and enjoy them, consider this as a membership benefit!

Of course everyone (members and non members) will take advantage of this now, but we are not promising to repeat it in the future.

A big THNAK YOU to all our members, associationS, schools and friends. 

Because of YOU, this SHARING is possible, we hope you are proud to be part of the RiEN.

You are a member of the RiEN if your National Association or school is a member of our network.

---------------- If you are not RiEN, then what? -----------

The link to the presentations:

http://www.reflexeurope.org/tiki-index.php?page=Upcoming%20conference

For the 1st time ever, three schools attended the RiEN AGM!

There was a voting and it has been included in our constitution that from now on school members may attend the RiEN AGM, BUT NOT participate during the procedures.

There ideas and opinions will and can be expressed to the board and representatives outside the meeting room. They are also allowed to participate in working groups for example the education working group.

The three schools that attended where:
- Inspira Premier Academy of Reflexology & Reiki,
- Reflexology Academy
- Ecole de Reflexologie Corps en Accord

We congratulate you on your passion and commitment to the progress of Reflexology inside Europe.

You have a lot to offer, please do so!

Can I work in another EU country? What qualifications are required?

We have read many times on social media questions like:

Can I work in another EU country?
What qualifications are required? 
Can I apply for national association membership? 
What are the legal requirements to practice in any of the EU countries?

So you might have level 3 or 4 or 5 qualification (UK), 
you might have trained in Denmark, or in France or elsewhere, 
what is the equivalent Qualification to the EU country you wish to work in?
Does your country offer a qualification, is it in effect at all?

For ALL these questions and many more, why not ask inside the network through your association, someone there knows!

This information is the result of teamwork, Heinrike Bergmans, Tracey Smith and the FFR France, for example.

Are you a member of an association member or student of a school member of the RiEN?

If you are not RiEN, what then?

Find out here!: http://ec.europa.eu/eqf/compare/select_en.htm#comparison

"A reflexology hypothesis of the Camuna civilization through the study of the 'Astronauts’ wall"

During our 6th European RiEN a very interesting presentation took place. 

"A reflexology hypothesis of the Camuna civilization through the study of the “Astronauts’” wall"
The presentation was from Carlo Ongaro member of FIRP http://www.firp.it/
e-mail:ongaro.carlo@libero.it


The conference was held in the University of Limerick, Limerick City, Ireland on the 8th and 9th September 2006

Our hosts where the Irish Reflexologists' Institute http://www.reflexology.ie/
and the Theme for the Conference was Alpha and Omega (The Begininning at the End).

Follows Carlo's Speech on the reflexology hypothesis of the Camuna civilization through the study of the “Astronauts’” wall.

In Italian language here: http://www.firp.it/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=85

Proto-historical premise.

The Camonica valley is one of the more impressive valleys that run perpendicular to the Po Valley,and during the glacial age it was entirely covered by huge mass of ice. Seventeen thousand years
ago, the imposing glacier started to shrink, and the valley started take on the current hydrogeological conformation. Towards the end of the upper Paleolithic, approximately 13,000 years ago,
the valley started to be covered with new vegetation, wild and luxuriant, thanks to the improved climate, thus creating an ideal environment for the habitat of a rich game.

Consequently, man’s first appearance in the valley can be pinpointed during this phase, as he was driven onward by the relentless need to hunt. It was from this moment on that the ancient inhabitant felt the need to carve on the dark Tonalite and Diorite rock the first iconographic images, or the first
rock carvings.
Around 5000 B.C., an early patriarchal society was formed, organized hierarchically and markedly religious and spirituality. Subsequently, the first commercial contacts began with the European and Balkan populations, in addition to contacts with the people of the Italian peninsula.

Analysis of the wall

The rock in question is located in an impracticable area, out of the reach of tourists. Although it is rich with carvings, most people are unaware of its existence. At present, only a few archeologists
have attempted a vague interpretation of the images but, as they were not knowledgeable about reflexology and its history, they were unable to come up with a suitable explanation. It must be
mentioned once again that this place is unique. In fact, out of more than 300,000 images that have been discovered (many of which repetitive), these images are not carved anywhere else. This puts
the ancient and unknown author in a position of privilege and supremacy. There can be two figures of this caliber: one is the leader, the other the priest and/or doctor/shaman. In the first place, we need to understand that iconographic language is not an end to itself, but instead is rich in meaning.
Each image carries concepts and thoughts with it; the figures etched in the stone must be considered as bona fide pages that highlight the reality, the credo and the beliefs of whoever carved them, once they are deciphered. What was once indelibly written on the hard stone was not used to describe in newspaper-style the everyday life of these people, but rather, as in a sacred ritual, it only served the author’s purpose. The natural world, sacredness, magic and medicine were considered as one: faces of the same medal.

In the first image (figure 1) we can see how the author wants to express in some way the fact that man is “incorporated” into the foot: to us this is the first indication of a reference to reflexology.
The spear, in all likelihood, indicates a prerogative of the Camuno man: without it man could not survive.

The interpretative keystone comes from the second image (figure 2) located in the center of the wall, almost as if to steal the scene from all the others. As you can see, there are two footprints with
a singular feature: they are carved in reverse, meaning that the big toe is on the outside and the little toe is on the inside. Certainly one is tempted to decipher this fact, however superficially, as a
mistake. But carving into such a hard rock, obtaining a groove that was once much deeper than the one we see today using technologically primitive tools, required a much longer and thought out procedure compared to the painted image. Carving and the time it requires bring with it a very a descriptive will that is deterministic and marked. It is highly unlikely that the subject of one’s own
thoughts and its logic would take a wrong path. Now, letting ourselves be ideally led by this will and wishing to reproduce this scene in an easier fashion on a sandy beach, we would have to not would be, we would also see that it would be quite impossible to walk since we would be offbalance.
In short, the physiological function carried out by the feet is abolished. But if the feet no longer support and allow man to walk, than what do these footprints indicate? In our opinion, the
ancient author could not have been clearer in the concept: the meaning is not to be found in physiology, but rather in logic: with man pictured inside and reversed, those feet will never be able
to walk or provide support; they become two “reflexology” feet, used to cure and heal man.

A bit farther away a third image stands out (figure 3): in all likelihood, this image expresses deep

concepts that correlate the physical existence with the spiritual world and the reflexology aspects.
The animals pictured here represent the physical existence: in fact, without them man could notive, and so carving into a rock the image of a fawn followed by tight and sharp curves that become
wider, finishing the path with the hoofs of a mature animal can only mean the path of life. At the end, life is tough and difficult (tight and intricate curves with one full footprint and one empty footprint at the side), then, in the mature age, everything softens, the curves unravel and life becomes familiar with the reflected element (footprints with a carved man slightly touched by the line). Here we cannot fail to note how the concept of this existential line was taken up in a philosophical and poetic fashion by the ancient Greeks, who described the same line with one of the three Fates, Klotho, who spun the thread of life. Subsequently, the same thread exits the animal’s tail, gently but at a different angle, and literally disappears, just like the soul leaves the earthly existence and follows its journey…
The last image (figure 4) of this extraordinary place shows some rather peculiar figures. In the foreground, there is a large globe with grooves in it, surrounded by three footprints, one full and the
other two with half busts. Next to the globe, there is a lighted elliptical image, a little below another spherical figure. The temptation to interpret the large globe as the earth (and the internal lines would confirm this) is strong. In fact, those grooves may mean communication paths, roads, or they may simply confirm concreteness and materiality. If this were true, we would have to conclude that these ancient men, in addition to having knowledge of the terrestrial sphere (which in itself would have a bewildering meaning) were also great travelers. The problem arises from the fact that, if these indelible “pages” are proof of conceptual and symbolic elements, it is difficult to imagine a sort of a “page turning” and to give, point blank, a geological and/or geographic interpretation, unless this interpretation fits into the context of the aforementioned considerations. The footprints with the half busts may represent the becoming of an awareness of reflexology: a sort of a teaching that starts to establish itself in the author’s mind.

Perhaps an ancient school, ante litteram, of foot reflexology!?

In conclusion, we can suppose that ancient European populations were familiar with and practiced foot reflexology if these hypotheses, born out by at least part of the academic world, were real.

Happy Birthday AoR, looking forward to the next 30 years

Beyond any doubt one out of two or three Reflexology associations that stand out in our Reflexology world is the Association of Reflexologists (UK) - AoR. The AoR for years now have inspired and directly or indirectly assisted Reflexology & Reflexologists around the world either on an individual practitioner level, either on an association level. It might seem as an exageration but it is fair to say that the UK is the "Mecca" of Reflexology! Or so we think.

    Whatever the case, this year is a very special one since the AoR are celebrating their 30th Birthday! On behalf of the RiEN, we would like to send our best wishes to our fellow RiEN member and request they keep up the good work.

Changes of renal blood flow during organ-associated foot reflexology measured by color Doppler sonography

Forsch Komplementarmed. 1999 Jun;6(3):129-34.
[Changes of renal blood flow during organ-associated foot reflexology measured by color Doppler sonography].
[Article in German]
Sudmeier I1, Bodner G, Egger I, Mur E, Ulmer H, Herold M.

Abstract
Using colour Doppler sonography blood flow changes of the right kidney during foot reflexology were determined in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised study. 32 healthy young adults (17 women, 15 men) were randomly assigned to the verum or placebo group. The verum group received foot reflexology at zones corresponding to the right kidney, the placebo group was treated on other foot zones. Before, during and after foot reflexology the blood flow of three vessels of the right kidney was measured using colour Doppler sonography. Systolic peak velocity and end diastolic peak velocity were measured in cm/s, and the resistive index, a parameter of the vascular resistance, was calculated. The resistive index in the verum group showed a highly significant decrease (p </= 0.001) during and an increase (p = 0.001) after foot reflexology. There was no difference between men and women and no difference between smokers and non-smokers. Verum and placebo group significantly differed concerning alterations of the resistive index both between the measuring points before versus during foot reflexology (p = 0.002) and those during versus after foot reflexology (p = 0.031). The significant decrease of the resistive index during foot reflexology in the verum group indicates a decrease of flow resistance in renal vessels and an increase of renal blood flow. These findings support the hypothesis that organ-associated foot reflexology is effective in changing renal blood flow during therapy.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=%5BChanges+of+renal+blood+flow+during+organ-associated+foot+reflexology+measured+by+color+Doppler+sonography%5D

Catalonia - Regulation of Natural Therapies July 2014 Regulación de las Terapias Naturales Julio 2014

After many years of hard work, yesterday July 3, 2014 a new milestone was marked in the field of natural therapies. A resolution in the Parliament of Catalonia, for the regulation of approved "the conditions for the exercise of the natural therapies performed by non-health professionals and non health centers" and "move to the competent authorities performing a given for the accreditation of training and no medical skills of professional practice of Natural Therapies. "

The proposal made by CiU and ERC in Catalonia, obtained the support of other political parties, getting 17 votes in favor and three abstentions which believe interesting to extend this regulation, creating multidisciplinary teams in public hospitals, among other proposals.

This initiative will clarify the current situation of controversy among health professionals and non-health professional natural therapists. At the same time the uncertainty of the end users, such as he showed us the 2008 study, Monitoring of natural therapies, "one of four Spaniards have used natural therapies" and "satisfaction has been outstanding" will be eradicated .

Finally, with words Badrena Alex, CEO of Ismet and promoter of creation of the proposed regulation with APTN-Cofenat, "this giant step will allow current and future therapists work safely, new students have criteria for the choice of training and end users to trust the quality of natural therapists "

From left to right, Alex Badrena director Ismet, Silvia Aguilera and Miguel López Ismet teachers and therapists, San-Antonio Roberto, president of APTN-Cofenat. 

- See more at: http://ismet.es/blog/2014/07/04/regulacion-de-las-terapias-naturales/#sthash.oDYIulJ0.dpuf

Después de muchos años de arduo trabajo, ayer 3 de julio 2014 se marcó un nuevo hito en el sector de las terapias naturales. Se aprobó una propuesta de resolución, en el Parlamento de Cataluña, para la regulación de “las condiciones para el ejercicio de las Terapias Naturales ejercidas por profesionales no sanitarios y en centros no sanitarios” y a “trasladar a las instancias competentes la realización de una propuesta para la acreditación de la formación y las competencias no sanitarias del ejercicio profesional de las Terapias Naturales”.

La propuesta planteada por Convergència i Unió y Esquerra de Catalunya, obtuvo el apoyo del resto de partidos políticos, consiguiendo 17 votos a favor y tres abstenciones las cuales creen interesante ampliar dicha regulación, creando equipos multidisciplinares en hospitales públicos, entre otras proposiciones.

Esta iniciativa aclarará la situación de controversia actual entre profesionales sanitarios y profesionales terapeutas naturales no sanitarios. Al mismo tiempo se erradicará la inseguridad de los usuarios finales, que tal como nos mostró el estudio realizado en 2008, Observatorio de las terapias naturales, “uno de cuatro españoles ha utilizado las terapias naturales” y “el grado de satisfacción ha sido sobresaliente”.

Finalmente y con palabras de Àlex Badrena, director general de ISMET y promotor de la creación de la propuesta de regulación junto a APTN-Cofenat, “este paso agigantado permitirá a los actuales y futuros terapeutas trabajar con total seguridad, a los nuevos estudiantes disponer de unos criterios para la elección de su formación y a los usuarios finales a confiar en la calidad de los terapeutas naturales”

- See more at: http://ismet.es/blog/2014/07/04/regulacion-de-las-terapias-naturales/#sthash.fThIACb8.dpuf

Can you diagnose with Reflexology?

Many question what is the benefit of being a member of an association, the benefit of being a RiEN member?

Today we will prove to you that there exists the benefit of acquireing knowledge. 

Knowledge is out there, it is being networked, the "other" question today is "Are you taking advantage of it?".

If you are not RiEN (a member through your national association), then what are you?

Now back to our question. 

This question has been asked many many times in the past, and it will definetely be asked over and over again in the future.

We as the RiEN, would like to add to the exisitng available information two interesting 

examples of scientists and physicians requesting this "Reflexology Diagnosis".

The first one was presented by Leila Eriksen (RiEN research group) during our RiEN

AGM in 2008 (Paris May 10th). She spoke to us about the  "Exceptional case history

registry" by NIFAB and NAFKAM and here.

Nifab.no is NAFKAMs (Norway’s National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine) website for providing the Norwegian population with evidence-based information about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

On page 12 of the documents Leila provided us, you can read

The Reflexologists record should contain:

(3rd bullet) Description/evaluation of the client and the clients disease/problems (a reflexological diagnose)

For more information on this, please contact Leila here

http://www.leilaeriksen.dk/da-DK/Velkommen/Engelsk-tekst.aspx

Secondly, having personally attended The First International Symposium on Reflexology and Cancer (ISRAC 2008) Israel Oct. 29th to Oct. 31st 2008.  we remember very well one of the exceptional presentations by Dr. Bibiana Carrasco Domínguez.

You can read her presentation titled Treating Children and Adolescents With Cancer in the Hospital Environment here.

Dr. Carrasco towards the end of her presentation said, "We inform the physicians and nurses of annything important we find (in the feet during their reflexology application). In some cases we found pain on a reflex where there was no correspondance to body pain or site of tumor. Upon describing these finbding to the physicians they explained to us that this "area" is where they suspect metatstasis. In other cases a decrease of felt pain in the reflex zone of the liver coincided with an improvement of Liver enzyme tests. With time, the physicians listen with an increasing interest to the information we provide them with."

It is not our intention to answer this question, rather it is to stimulate research into this question.

We hope we have helped.

As a side note.

It is against the law around the world and against Reflexology Associations constitutions for a Reflexologist to proceed to an action of diagnosis. 

For those who flert with idea, bare in mind that if ever it was proven possible for this to happen, Reflexology would then be considered medicine and our legal status would change. Not necessarily to the better.

Carefull what you wish for, it might happen!

 

Other examples trying to answer this question:

One example of trying to answer this question we can find in 1996, here by William T. Jarvis, Ph.D.

Later on in 2003, was published an interesting article examining again this potential of Reflexology found here.

Correlation study between conventional medical diagnosis and the diagnosis by reflexology (non conventional)

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Reflexology is a non-conventional method for diagnosis and treatment of physical and medical problems by touching or applying pressure on certain areas on the foot surface. The reflexology method is based on the presumption that all body organs and various systems are represented on the foot surface.

AIM:

The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the reflexological diagnosis method.

METHODS:

Eighty patients from various clinics and departments in the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, were examined twice by two different reflexologists. The diagnostics that resulted from these examinations were compared with the conventional medical diagnostics of the same patients. In addition, the level of correlation between the two reflexological examinations was tested.

RESULTS:

Out of 18 body systems in 6 a statistically significant correlation was found between the conventional medical diagnosis and the two reflexological examinations. In 4 body systems, there was a statistically significant correlation between the conventional medical diagnosis and one out of the two reflexological examinations. The systems in which correlation was found are characterized by having a defined anatomic region. The examination of the significance of the diagnoses regarding the components of the body systems resulted in statistical significance in only 4 out of the 32 components. Between the two reflexological examinations, a statistically significant correlation was found in 14 out of the 18 body systems, and in only 15 out of the 32 system components.

CONCLUSION:

The reflexology method has the ability to diagnose (reliable and valid) at a systematic level only, and this is applicable only to those body systems that represent organs and regions with an exact anatomic location.

PMID:

14518162 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Written By Spiros Dimitrakoulas Reflexologist RiEN Board