Report on a membership audit of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Reflex Therapy (ACPIRT)

Gunnel Berry; Beth Svarovska

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.04.002

Report on a membership audit of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Reflex Therapy (ACPIRT)

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2014 Aug;20(3):172-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.04.002. Epub 2014 May 9.

Authors

Gunnel Berry¹, Beth Svarovska²

Affiliations

¹ University College London, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Bedford Row, London WC1R 4ED, UK; Post Graduate Certificate in Research Methodologies, School of Health Professions, 49 Darley Road, University of Brighton, West Sussex BN20 7UR, UK; 202 Chidwall Road, Liverpool L15 6UY, UK; Health and Care Professions Council, Park House, 184 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4BU, UK; Hälsouniversitetet, Kansliet, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden; 5 Fore Street, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1HX, UK. Electronic address: gunnel.berry1@gmail.com.
² Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 ODF, UK; National Osteoporosis Society, Camerton, Bath BA2 0PJ, UK; MS Society, 372 Edgware Road, London NW2 6ND, UK; Polestar Pilates, 103 Worship St, London EC2A 2DF, UK; Pilates for MS™, Mariska Breland, Fuse Pilates, at Mbodies Training Academy, PO Box 433, Witney, Oxford OX28 9FA, UK. Electronic address: bsvar42@hotmail.com.

PMID: 25129885
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.04.002

Abstract

Reflex Therapy (RT), akin to reflexology, is a non-invasive physiotherapy modality approved by the UK Chartered Society of Physiotherapists. One hundred members of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Reflex Therapy (ACPIRT) participated in an audit to establish a baseline of practice. Findings indicate that experienced therapists use RT in conjunction with their professional skills to induce relaxation (95%) and reduce pain (86%) for patients with conditions including whiplash injury and chronic pain. According to 68% of respondents, RT is "very good," "good" or "as good as" orthodox physiotherapy practices. Requiring minimal equipment, RT may be as cost effective as orthodox physiotherapy with regards to duration and frequency of treatment.

Keywords: Complementary and allied medicines; Foot massage; Physiotherapy; Reflex Therapy; Reflexology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel
Female
Humans
Male
Massage / organization & administration*
Massage / statistics & numerical data
Medical Audit
Middle Aged
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Physical Therapists / statistics & numerical data*
Reflexotherapy / statistics & numerical data*
Surveys and Questionnaires