One friend asked us about reflexology in connection with the latest comments on reiki.

It seems to me of what we can access that there are real similarities between these practices - we encounter for example the ubiquitous "qi" "chi" or "universal life energy" that gets manipulated by the mind or the fingers of the practitioner.

Reflexology as reiki was invented or "rediscovered" in the early 20th century as an "ancient" practice and since then they are developing together with other currents of the wideranging phenomenon of New Age or even Next Age (see Andrea Menegotto's CESNUR study in regard).

So my opinion also with reflexology is on the cautious side: if there is no scientifoc evidence of how it works, just reference to mysterious energies - in the existence of which the practioners require us to believe - these phenomenon are more quasi-religions than alternative or complementary healing methods and such not fittinf in the Catholic world-view. In fact, one danger is to get so involved in the practice of these that these become substitute of one's original faith and religious life.

The opinions we can find in Christian circles again will range from enthusiastic involvement to rejection as occultism. This latter is represented by this opinion of an evidently "conservative" web site (however good summary of reflexology)

http://www.angelfire.com/ms/seanie/newage/reflexology.html



We can find serious scepticism also from secular point of view on this site of the "National Council Against Health Fraud":

http://www.ncahf.org/articles/o-r/reflexology.html



--K