Alternative Therapies
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- Episode
- Reflexology
- Broadcast Info
- 2008 (59 mins)
- Description
- Reflexologists claim that the body is mapped onto the soles of the feet, and that pressing particular points can help with a range of medical conditions from back pain and asthma to infertility and migraines. But can it really work and if so, how? And what does mainstream science make of it?
In the second film in the series, Professor Kathy Sykes travels to Florida to meet the nephew of the woman who invented the term reflexology. She also hears about a reflexologist in Sheffield who believes that she has helped over 100 infertile couples to have babies.
Kathy also meets scientists who are troubled by the claims made by Reflexology. Dr Alice Roberts, an anatomist, cannot see how its main idea squares with conventional science. Professor Raymond Tallis fears that some of the claims made by reflexologists are a threat to rational thought.
Finally, Kathy meets Professor Leslie Walker in Hull who is using reflexology to help cancer patients feel relaxed. This takes her journey off in a whole new direction and to a cuddle party in LA. Here she explores the power of touch and massage.
reflexology body mapping on soles of feet relief of medical conditions Florida Sheffield infertility - Genre
- Medicine; Science; Health and Social Care
How to cite this record
The Open University, "Alternative Therapies". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ou/search/index.php/prog/7774 (Accessed 11 Jan 2025)