Aggressive and persuasive advertising can make you buy something you would never have bought in normal circumstances.

Such may be the case these days considering how some people have been persuaded to think that there is a novel way of treating nearly every disease called reflexology.

Multitudes of reflexology clinics have mushroomed in many corners of our fair city of Kampala and its suburbs and most of them promises heaven on earth.

The Canadian Association of Reflexology defines the practice as: "A natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears and their referral areas within zone related areas, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes without the use of tools, crèmes or lotions, the feet being the primary area of application, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body."

Reflexology is said to help promote relaxation and stress reduction, improving circulation in both the lymphatic and cardio-vascular systems, helping the body to normalize itself naturally without adverse side effects and in acting as a preventative health care.

A number of people have been healed from several illnesses such as persistent headaches, backaches and internal body pain rather miraculously simply by visiting a reflexologist.

Esther Nanteza recalls that a persistent migraine she had been suffering from for over a month disappeared in a matter of minutes when she visited one of the new reflexology clinics in suburban Kampala.

And 50-year old Gladys Nasuuna, Mityana says she is seriously looking for money to come to Kampala for reflexology treatment, because doctors in Mulago have failed to find the source of pain in her ribs.

And yet it appears obvious that while reflexology could indeed relieve pain for hundreds of people in Uganda, the dangers are far too many to ignore.

The greatest danger perhaps stems from the fact that reflexologists in this rather new field in Uganda, entirely operate outside the rigorous checks and supervision set by the medical council and therefore are not bound by minimum standards and ethics.

The increased proliferation of reflexology clinics and the persuasive advertisements has come with it has already got experts sitting on the medical council worried, according to the Commissioner of clinical services in the ministry of Health Dr. Amandua Jacinto.
He says that the council has considered in introducing guidelines to govern the practitioners of reflexology.

It is indeed out of such fears arising from misinformation about what reflexology can achieve and what it cannot, that have inspired the creation of associations like the Reflexology Association of Canada to safeguard both the interests of practitioners and the patients.

While acknowledging the positive impacts reflexology can have on a patient's health, Amandua argues that it is not a panacea.

"Reflexology is complementary therapy. It does not cure but can improve the patient's quality of life and reduce pain especially for patients with cancer and AIDS."

Jacinto fears that many people, especially those suffering from life-threatening illnesses such as HIV/Aids and Cancer may be persuaded to get off treatment in favour of reflexology and by he time they resume it is too late.

Amandua argues patients to always seek primary treatment from qualified health experts.
A recent visit by this reporter to one of the most advertised reflexology clinics called 'Health is Wealth' reveals that there is every reason to be careful before someone spends their hard-earned money.

Disregarding his education level, John Paul Kazungu, a self-professed Rwandan-trained reflexologist and the proprietor of the clinic, told this reporter that his treatment involves the combined use of massage and natural herbs and nutrition therapy.

Perhaps as an insight into his lack of understanding of what reflexology is, Kazungu confuses the treatment with other forms of treatment. He says for instance: "All tablets are made out of chemicals and herbs; reflexology is primarily to remove impurities and chemicals so we delete the chemicals and apply the herbs alone."

Going by the definition of the Canadian Reflexology Association given above, Kazungu's clinic appears to be offering some other treatment given the cocktail of treatment his patients undergo.

Kazungu brags that he treats a wide range of diseases including ulcers, high blood pressure, mental illness, diabetes, asthma, kidney failure, constipation and HIV/Aids.
The Canadian Reflexology Association warns that; Reflexologists Do Not:
v Diagnose conditions
v Prescribe substances
v Treat for specific conditions
vUse of tools and/or machines
(unless qualified).

By Daisy Nakandi