Reflexology for Cerebal Palsy
Whilst reflexology does not claim to diagnose, treat or cure a disorder,
it is thought that some disorders, such as these, have been shown
(through mainly anecdotal evidence due to limited investment in
scientific research) to respond well to reflexology.
Disorder of the nervous system is the most common reasons for seeking medical help. Cerebral Palsy is a main nervous system disorder.
Nervous System
The nervous system is an internal communication system, relaying
signals with short electrical impulses. The central nervous system
is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous
system extends to all other parts of the body and provides somatic
nerves to skeletal muscles and autonomic nerves to internal organs
and glands. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has two branches,
the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which governs the stimulating
and excitatory responses, and the parasympathetic nervous system
(PSN) which is responsible for storage, calming and restorative
functions. The overall function is to detect changes in the body’s
internal and external environment and to operate a response. It
works together with the endocrine / glandular system to control
all body functions and maintain homeostasis.
Therapeutic effects of reflexology on the nervous system
• The feet have 1000’s of nerve endings and specialised touch and
compression techniques used in reflexology stimulate them, sending
nerve impulses through the open neural pathways.
• Nervous system responses can be very rapid with consequently swift
responses in the vital organs and other body structures.
• Stimulation of the ANS activates the endocrine / glandular system
and a cascade of hormonal responses may result.
• Treatment of the nervous system improves the ability of the organs
and structures whose function has become diseased or depressed,
to respond positively to therapeutic intervention – all organs are
supplied by nerves, the nerves are stimulated, organs return to
normal function.
• Relaxation induced by reflexology helps balance the ANS, restoring
harmony to its sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.
• Break down of deposits in the feet and the stimulation of reflexology
decongests energy pathways allowing the nervous system to work optimally
(as it does for all systems).
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral is another word for the brain. Palsy means a complete or
partial loss of the ability to move a body part.
Cerebral palsy is not a single condition. It is an umbrella term used to describe a group of conditions that cause movement problems. Although the main problem is with the muscles in one or more parts of the body, the condition is caused by damage or faulty development in a part of the brain. The part of the brain affected is in a part that sends messages to muscles to control movement and co-ordination. The damage or faulty development in the brain usually occurs as a baby is developing in the womb. Sometimes it occurs during birth, or shortly after birth.
If someone has cerebral palsy it means that they are not able to control some of the muscles in their body in the normal way. So, for example, depending on the type of cerebral palsy and the area of brain affected, a child with cerebral palsy may not be able to walk, move, talk, eat, or play in the same ways as other children.
The following are more technical 'medical' definitions of cerebral palsy:
"Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term covering a group of non-progressive,
but often changing, motor impairment syndromes secondary to lesions
or anomalies of the brain arising in the early stages of development"
- Mutch et al, 1992.