Google Website Translator Gadget_________ ATTENTION "Αγγλικά" is ENGLISH !!!!!

Τρίτη 30 Δεκεμβρίου 2014

Reflexology TOP TEN +1 for 2014!

Reflexology is continually advancing in knowledge, acceptance and integration, and beyond any doubt I "feel" that there is no stopping our modality.

As 2014 heads towards its end, it is a good time to reflect back on this year and take note of all that has happened Reflexology wise. 


Good and bad? Yes!


Obviously many things are worth mentioning, and many more have happened that we unfortunately have not taken notice of. 


This is because there is a language barrier regarding reading and understanding the information from all around the world. There is also an issue that many many Reflexologists are doing great things, but..., they are not spreading the information, networking, they have not even informed their association! Of course, I understand very well that much more is accomplished on an individual level then inside the workings of an association where procedures go through at a slow pace. Even when the information is communicated it is among Reflexologists, but it is not publicised. Besides english speaking countries, other countries (languages) do not exist! Second comes Spanish, Portugese. 


So, let me display my 2014 Reflexology Top Ten + 1, even if it is subjective. 

If you believe I have left something worthwhile out, tell me about it, I love reading about Reflexology!



Number 10.


The Reflexology work of Lorraine Senior with children with special needs in a

school setting hit a soft spot in me and got my attention not to mention inspired me a lot.

The aim of the therapy is to induce relaxation, improve mood, relieve tension, and encourage social interaction, increase receptiveness and support individual well being. Providing reflexology therapy on a regular basis using FRT Approach has been seen to alleviate the stress and tension particularly in the moment and observation, reflection and evaluation by therapist and staff is ongoing with its continued and increasing use and development in school.


http://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.gr/2014/11/the-power-of-reflexology-on-children.html

http://www.functionalreflextherapy.co.uk/news/article/a-head-teachers-view-on-the-value-of-reflexology.html

Number 9.


In January some interesting research results where published. It is no surprise that reflexology was found to...
 "Conclusion. This study exhibited the efficient utility of reflexology therapy integrated with conventional medicines in managing diabetic neuropathy."

I expect to see us working in this area more and more. Definetely a good read! 


Determination of Efficacy of Reflexology in Managing Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3913279/
http://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.gr/2014/10/determination-of-efficacy-of.html

Number 8.


Some more research came out in Febuary  

Reflexology: Its Effects on Physiological Anxiety Signs and Sedation Needs 

Reflexology can serve as an effective method of decreasing the physiological signs of anxiety and the required level of sedation in patients receiving mechanically ventilated support. Nurses who have appropriate training and certification may include reflexology in routine care to reduce the physiological signs of anxiety of patients receiving mechanical ventilation.


 - See more at: http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/JournalArticle?Article_ID=1637098#sthash.O83xEj12.dpuf


Number 7. 


In June, we read something alarming from our USA colleagues.
In conjuction with section 2706 (of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly known as “Obamacare") being put on the chopping block. this is concerning news!

The FSMTB (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) has just released a document that should be of grave concern to anyone practicing reflexology in the United States. The Model Practice Act sets out to define and regulate the practice of hands-on healing therapies to include pretty well any form of therapeutic touch. If this draft is accepted by the state legislatures and massage boards, it could very well make it IMPOSSIBLE TO PRACTICE REFLEXOLOGY IN THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT A MASSAGE LICENSE, EVEN IN THOSE STATES THAT HAVE EXEMPTED REFLEXOLOGY FROM MASSAGE.

http://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.gr/2014/06/things-do-not-look-so-good-for.html

Number 6.


Towards the end of this year we saw two exceptional examples of goverments getting into CAM all heart! 


One example is that of India appointing a Minister of Yoga

http://www.euronews.com/2014/11/10/india-pm-modi-appoints-yoga-minister/

Imagine a Reflexology minister one day....



..and Turkey legalizing alternative medicine, Reflexology included! 
On the down side of this latter news, we also read that 
"Only certified physicians and dentists can practice these treatments."
Ok I can tolerate that, ..with the hope to one day see Physicians practsing Reflexology!

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/12/turkey-alternative-medicine-legalized.html##ixzz3MixRoZb2

Number 5. 

I am biased on this one, but Madeira was the best, once again, a big thank you to our organizers, speakers and delegates!

The 8th RiEN conference in cooperation with the Reflexology organisation of Madeira took place in the Printing Press Museum, in Câmara de Lobos in Madeira, from 9-11 May 2014.
RiEN celebrated it's 20th anniversary!

You can download most of the conference presentations here:





Number 4.

I am delighted to add something from Greece.



It seems that three members of the Hellenic Association of Reflexologists (HAR) are offering Reflexology in the Pain Clinic of the University Hospital Aretaieio in Athens.


One of the volunteers participated by introducing reflexology with a lecture and demonstration. 

The conference was the 15th Panhellenic Conference on Regional Anesthesia, Pain Therapy and Palliative care. 


The Reflexologists name is Mirto Chiona and she spoke with other CAM therapists at the workshop titled "Stress management in chronic pain patient".
This is the second time Reflexologists of HAR participated at this annual conference. 




Definetely deserves being in the Top Ten.

You can read the scientific programme here:
http://www.regionalpainpalliativecongress2014.gr/03.programma.html









http://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.gr/2014/09/15_24.html


Number 3.


More research results!



Alternative therapies associated with reduction in cancer-related pain and anxiety, Allina researchers find.

For reducing pain, therapeutic body massage, reflexology, acupressure and acupuncture were most effective. For reducing anxiety, no significant difference was found among the therapies.
The study found, as already noted, that patients’ pain levels dropped an average of 46.9 percent and their anxiety levels dropped an average of 56.1 percent after the alternative therapy sessions. Patients with lung, bronchus and trachea cancer reported the biggest decline in pain, while patients with prostate cancer reported the biggest decline in anxiety.

http://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2014/11/alternative-therapies-associated-reduction-cancer-related-pain-and-anxiety-al




This Way In: New Guideline for Alternative and Complementary Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis

Reflexology: This CAM treatment, which involves applying manual pressure to points on the feet, is possibly effective for MS-related paresthesia, the guideline authors found. Paresthesia is similar to pins and needles; a person with MS may feel burning, prickling, or itching sensations on the skin. Dr. Giesser says that this is one CAM she would consider prescribing as an alternative to conventional treatments in cases where the conventional treatments have adverse side effects for a patient.
http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/Fulltext/2014/10020/This_Way_In__New_Guideline_for_Alternative_and.9.aspx




Number 2.



Dr. Heather Greenlee, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, developed a new set of clinical practice guidelines on the use of integrative therapies.
She presented her guidelines at a recent meeting of the Society for Integrative Oncology.

Greenlee and her colleagues reviewed nearly 5,000 articles published between 1990 and 2013. From this, researchers reviewed 203 separate randomized control trials of the various interventions.

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/11/06/alternative-therapy-guidelines-issued-for-breast-cancer-survivors/77032.html


Unfortunately Reflexology "only" got a C in breast cancer patients with quality of life and physical functioning outcomes!

Going through the supplementary data I was very disapointed to read in all cases that there is insufficient evidence, except for one case!

We got a C grade and the recommendation that "Reflexology can be considered for improving quality of life among breast cancer patients.
Once again, after so much effort and enthusiasm, after all the money spent, with so many difficulties in raising more needed money to conduct even more research, with the existing problems current research is being conducted and published, I question if we are on the right track.
How can it be that Reflexology is being utilized more and more by the public, but research does not reproduce the everyday Reflexologists results?
And what kind of research should we be involved in, maybe research that will enlighten Reflexologists themselves.
Oh well I guess it could have been worse.

Hey wait a second..., lets cheer things up! 
I love Sally Kay!


Lymphoedema and Reflexology Research Project

The results of the Tenovus funded research into lymphoedema and the reflexology are currently being finalised.
Impact of the research

Overall, the success of the study was measured in terms of meaningful changes in the volumes of the swollen arms and in the views of the participants about their experiences and the helpfulness of the reflexology treatments.




Number 1.


Reflexologists once again in the year 2014, in general, were unconcerened and unsupportive of issues regarding our modality and profession.  

I am a practising Reflexologist, I am also the current Chair of RiEN and previously board member of the Hellenic Association of Reflexologists. Through my engagement with these associations I have been enlightend and now acknowledge some facts. 
   
I must state that I am very disapointed with the lack of interest on behalf of the average Reflexologist around the world on matters having to do with legislation, regulation and anything else besides the actual practise of our modality. 
I find it interesting that a Reflexology article accompanied by a fancy chart depicting "miraculous Reflexology points" attracts 100% more attention and produces 20% more interaction then an article on legislation, or scrutiny regarding claims in advertisements. 

I read and hear about Reflexologists requesting/demanding these issues resolved but almost nobody actually wanting to dedicate/invest their precious time in proceeding towards this direction. A solution to this issue would be to pay someone to do this work for us, but with the majority of Reflexologists barely or not making a living off the practise of Reflexology, thus not even being able to pay their membership fee, a question arises.

Who will do the work needed for Reflexology to proceed? 


This is totally unacceptable!

It is not enough to pay your annual membership fee, you actually have to participate and contribute to your associations endeavours! 
You have a voice, use it. 
You are the one trying to make it in the real world, influence the decisions that are being made on your behalf by simply participating. If you do not, one day you might wake up to a reality that you will not approve. 
It might sound as if I am catastrophizing but the examples I am observing around the world suggest otherwise. Sometimes the numbers speak for themselves.






I imagine me pointing my finger this way will put me down in popularity in the New Year, ...but, I do not care!   

The following article adequately adresses and partially expresses concerns of mine that came up in 2014, and this is why I chose it for number 1, you might like to read it!




Are you up for facing some future challenges in Reflexology?

Some seventy four years after Eunice Ingham published her first book, the reflexology industry still cannot agree on the most basic of foot maps!

The medical model, proffered as the ultimate measuring tool, is unfortunately not constructed in a manner capable of appreciating the many complexities associated with the complex reflexology package.

The clinical world has its own agenda, and whilst reflexology can certainly play some part within that agenda, we would be foolish to believe from that place reflexology will eventually come to be recognised for all its therapeutic worth.

In essence, it is my conviction the presence of trademarking and ownership within our wider therapeutic community only serves to promote division, and hinder practitioner growth.

+1 

In Uganda Reflexologists are getting even!!!

Why? 



In 2010 Reflexology was banned in Uganda. In 2011, the Ugandan Reflexologists filed an application for judicial review at the court in protest of the ban, contending that the government never accorded them a hearing before their activities were outlawed. The ruling from that procedure pronounced that the ban was based on procedural error.

Reflexology practitioners won a landmark case against their government last year in April and the court lifted the ban on their activities.
Now "they are getting even" and have filed an application for bill of costs totaling sh17b.
If I converted this correctly we are looking at the figure of
six million one hundred fifty-five thousand sixty-three dollars!

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/663120-reflexologists-demand-sh17b-from-gov-t.html


Happy New Year, have a great 2015!




Παρασκευή 19 Δεκεμβρίου 2014

Σεμινάριο “Ορθοπεδικής Ρεφλεξολογίας” A’ επίπεδο, 6 – 7 Φεβρουαρίου 2015

 Το σεμινάριο για το Β΄ επίπεδο θα πραγματοποιηθεί το Μάιο Παρασκευή 8 και Σάββατο 9 Μαϊου 2015




Κε.Δι.ΒΙ.Μ 1 ΚΕΠΑΝΣΗ – ΣΠΥΡΟΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΑΚΟΥΛΑΣ : Σεμινάριο “Ορθοπεδικής Ρεφλεξολογίας” A’ επίπεδο, 6 – 7 Φεβρουαρίου 2015
Με χαρά ανακοινώνουμε τη συνέχεια της συνεργασίας μας με τον κύριο Σπύρο Δημητράκουλα. Συγκεκριμένα, στις 6 και 7 Φεβρουαρίου του 2015, θα πραγματοποιηθεί το σεμινάριο για το Α΄ επίπεδο «ΟΡΘΟΠΕΔΙΚΗΣ ΡΕΦΛΕΞΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ». Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες οι ενδιαφερόμενοι μπορούν να επικοινωνούν με τη γραμματεία της σχολής , τηλ. 2810285982, 2810 263833 μετά τις 7 Ιανουαρίου 2015. Καλές γιορτές σε όλους!



Μύηση στην “Ορθοπεδική Ρεφλεξολογία”.
A’ επίπεδο

 

Όπως γνωρίζουμε όσοι ασχολούμαστε με την Ρεφλεξολογία, η σύγχρονη ιστορία της ξεκίνησε από τον Δρ. Φιτζέραλντ και την δια χειρών θεραπεύτρια Γιουνίς Ίνγκαμ. Σήμερα παρατηρούμε ότι υπάρχουν πολλές μέθοδοι Ρεφλεξολογίας προερχόμενες από όλα τα σημεία του πλανήτη. Εύλογα ο κάθε αναγνώστης θα αναρωτηθεί “Υπάρχει άραγε Ελληνική Ρεφλεξολογική μέθοδος?” Η απάντηση σε αυτό το ερώτημα είναι ΝΑΙ! και ονομάζεται Όρθο-πεδική Ρεφλεξολογία (ΟΡ).

 

Μάλιστα, μέσα από την Αρχαία Ελληνική Γραμματεία

που μας κληροδότησαν οι πρόγονοι μας, προκύπτει ότι και οι αρχαίοι Έλληνες εξασκούσανε στα άκρα “ανατρίψεις” για πολύ συγκεκριμένους ανακλαστικούς λόγους.
Η συγκεκριμένη  γνώση καταγράφεται  και ερευνάται, και ένας από τους στόχος μας είναι να αποκατασταθεί η ιστορία της Ρεφλεξολογίας. Επιπρόσθετα να αναβιώσει θεωρητικά και πρακτικά η προσέγγιση των αρχαίων Ελλήνων σε ότι αφορά την “ανάτριψη” δημιουργώντας εκπαιδευμένους Ρεφλεξολόγους, που θα φέρουν τον διακριτό τίτλο “Ορθοπεδικός Ρεφλεξολόγος”.
Η διδασκομένη ύλη πλαισιώνεται θεωρητικά από απάνθισμα της καταγεγραμμένης γνώσης που μας παρέδωσαν οι Ιπποκράτης, Γαληνός,  Φιλόστρατος, Κέλσος, Πλούταρχος κ.α.

Τα θέματα που θα αναπτυχθούν είναι:


·         Η ανατομία του άκρου πόδα, ενδογενής μύες, οστά, νεύρα, σύνδεσμοι, τένοντες, σύνδεσμοι. Αναμφίβολα το αντικείμενο είναι πολύπλοκο, ωστόσο θα αποδοθεί με απλό, γρήγορο και ευχάριστο τρόπο.
·         Διάρκεια και ένταση πίεσης – τα διαφορετικά αποτελέσματα που επιφέρουν οι εννέα συνδυασμοί που μας παρέδωσαν οι Ιπποκράτης και Γαληνός.
·         Οι τέσσερις μεσημβρινοί του Ιπποκράτη και η σχέση τους με τα άκρα μας. Θα πραγματοποιηθεί σύγκριση με τους Κινέζικους μεσημβρινούς, το Νευρικό σύστημα, τις ζώνες του Δρ. Φιτζέραλντ και τις μύο-περιτοναϊκές αλυσίδες.
·         Τα τέσσερα είδη των “τρίψεων”, (σύμφωνα με ένα από τα τέσσερα μέσα που μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν, ένα π.χ. είναι το ελαιόλαδο) και οι προτεινόμενες συνθήκες εφαρμογής τους.
·         Παρατήρηση και αξιολόγηση της κατάστασης του πελάτη. Δημιουργώντας την καλύτερη δυνατή αιτιολογημένη πλέον θεραπευτική προσέγγιση.
·         Αποκατάσταση της ιστορίας της Ρεφλεξολογίας, τα ανακριβή στοιχεία και οι συνέπειες τους. (Τεκμηριωμένα στοιχεία με παραπομπές)
·         Θεωρία Πύρ – Ύδωρ αντί αυτής του Yin/Yang
·         Η φιλοσοφία και η ηθική που εξέφραζε ο Ιπποκράτης.

Επεξήγηση του όρου: “Ορθοπεδικός Ρεφλεξολόγος”.
Ορθοπαιδική ή Ορθοπεδική, είναι κλάδος της Ιατρικής που ασχολείται με τις παθήσεις του κινητικού συστήματος και τα κατάγματα. ΔΕΝ υπάρχει καμία πρόθεση δημιουργίας εντυπώσεων σύγκλισης προς την συγκεκριμένη ιατρική ειδικότητα. Στην προσπάθεια μας να βρούμε ένα χρηστικό και πρακτικό όρο με αρχαίες ελληνικές ρίζες καταλήξαμε στο “Ορθοπεδική Ρεφλεξολογία” επειδή:
·         Παρατηρήσαμε ότι στα ιατρικά συνέδρια, αλλά και στα διάφορα συγγράμματα και περιοδικά στην Ελλάδα, και στο εξωτερικό να χρησιμοποιείται αποκλειστικά το αρχικό όνομα “Oρθοπαιδική - Orthopaedic” του Nicolas Andry. 1741 (και στο λεξικό Ν. Ελ. Γλ. 2002 του Μπαμπινιώτη).
·         Πεδάω = δένω ισχυρά, έχει την ίδια προέλευση με το πους (=πόδι) δηλ., τις ινδοευρωπαϊκές ρίζες ped και pod.
·         “Ορθοποδώ”, συμπληρωματικά, μέσω της Ορθοπεδικής Ρεφλεξολογίας.
·         Η όρθωση του ατόμου θα γίνει με πέδες, δηλαδή με δεσμά, επιδέσμους. Τα χέρια του Ρεφλεξολόγου λειτουργούν ως πέδες στην συγκεκριμένη περίπτωση.
·         Ο τρόπος που εφαρμόζουμε τους χειρισμούς μας, υπακούοντας στους κανόνες που πρώτος κατέγραψε ο Ιπποκράτης, θα περιδέσουμε τα ανακλαστικά του πόδα ώστε να ορθοποδήσει το άτομο.

ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑ ΠΑΡΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΗΣΗΣ:
Το σεμινάριο απευθύνεται σε απόφοιτους Ρεφλεξολογίας και εν δυνάμει σπουδαστές της Ρεφλεξολογίας αλλά, και επαγγελματίες – σπουδαστές όλων των ειδικοτήτων δια χειρών θεραπείας. Η ολοκλήρωση και των δύο επιπέδων του σεμιναρίου δεν επαρκούν για να γραφτεί κανείς μέλος των σωματείων ρεφλεξολογίας Σ.Ε.Ρ. και/ή Π.Ε.Σ.Ρ.

Η ημερομηνία του 2ου επιπέδου θα ανακοινωθεί σύντομα.

Θα δοθούν πιστοποιητικό παρακολούθησης, σημειώσεις και πολύτιμα αρχεία σε ηλεκτρονική μορφή. Όπως και εκπαιδευτικό power point.


Πέμπτη 20 Νοεμβρίου 2014

Ομιλία: ΡΕΛΕΞΟΛΟΓΙΑ, Αυτά που γνωρίζω κι εκείνα που πιστεύω.

Για τους συναδέλφους στην Κρήτη 
Με μεγάλη χαρά και ενθουσιασμό έχω αποδεχτεί την πρόσκληση του Ι.Ι.Ε.Κ. MORFI να σας επισκεφτώ την Κυριακή 7 Δεκεμβρίου και να μιλήσω για την αγαπημένη μας μέθοδο, την Ρεφλεξολογία.
Κατά την διάρκεια της ομιλίας μου σκοπεύω:

- Να κάνω μία σύντομη αναδρομή στην πραγματική ιστορία της Ρεφλεξολογίας, την εξέλιξη της έως σήμερα (ενσωμάτωση της στην ιατρική, νομοθεσία, έρευνες, εκπαίδευση) στην Ελλάδα και σε όλο τον κόσμο, και να μοιραστώ μαζί σας, την πρόταση μου, για το εφικτό, ωφέλιμο (για τους επαγγελματίες και αποδέκτες της υπηρεσίας μας) μέλλον.
Οι πληροφορίες αυτής της ενότητας προκύπτουν από την πολυετή προσωπική ενασχόληση μου με τα δρώμενα γύρω από την Ρεφλεξολογία αλλά και της γνώσεις και εμπειρίες που έχω αποκομίσει ως μέλος του Δ.Σ. του Σωματείου Ελλήνων Ρεφλεξολόγων και ως ο τρέχων Πρόεδρος του RiEN.
- Θα μοιραστώ μαζί σας εμπνευσμένες νέες προσεγγίσεις τις μεθόδου μας τις οποίες αποκόμισα από το παγκόσμιο συνέδριο του ICR, στο οποίο ήμουν ομιλητής, αλλά και το πρόσφατο Ευρωπαϊκό συνέδριο του RiEN που πραγματοποιήθηκε στην Μαδέρα της Πορτογαλίας. Π.χ. Νεύρο Ρεφλεξολογία, Ορθοπεδική Ρεφλεξολογία, η σπονδυλική στήλη στην κνήμη, ήχοι και δονήσεις κατά την εφαρμογή της μεθόδου, έρευνες κ.α.
- Θα σας παρουσιάσω αποσπάσματα της μελλοντικής ομιλίας μου για το παγκόσμιο συνέδριο του ICR που θα πραγματοποιηθεί το 2015 στην Αγγλία. “Αφήστε στην άκρη τους ρεφλεξολογικούς χάρτες και την ενέργεια για λίγο, ας κοιτάξουμε λίγο την ανατομία των ποδιών και την φυσιολογία πίσω από αυτό που κάνουμε.”
- Εργαστήριο πρακτικής εξάσκησης

Θα χαρώ πολύ κατά την πρώτη μου επίσκεψη στο Ηράκλειο να γνωριστούμε και να ανταλλάξουμε απόψεις.
Με εκτίμηση,
Σπύρος Δημητράκουλας
Πρόεδρος του Δικτύου Ρεφλεξολογίας στην Ευρώπη (RiEN)
Εκπαιδευτής Ρεφλεξολογίας του Natural Health Science

Τρίτη 18 Νοεμβρίου 2014

Unfortunately Reflexology "only" got a C in breast cancer patients with quality of life and physical functioning outcomes!

Μία επισκόπηση ερευνών η οποία πραγματοποιήθηκε με το κίνητρο να δημιουργηθούν κλινικές οδηγίες για την χρήση ΣΕΘ από τους ασθενείς καρκίνου του μαστού, βαθμολόγησε την Ρεφλεξολογία με C στον τομέα βελτίωση της ποιότητας ζωής.
Τα αποτελέσματα δεν είναι καθόλου ενθαρρυντικά, είτε για εμάς, είτε για τον κόσμο των ερευνών.
Πως είναι δυνατόν τα καθημερινά θετικά αποτελέσματα της μεθόδου μας, η οποία απολαμβάνει καθημερινά όλο και μεγαλύτερη αποδοχή, να μην επαναλαμβάνονται στις κλινικές δοκιμές.
Που θα βρεθούν και άλλα εκατομμύρια για να γίνουν έρευνες, ποιος θα τις κάνει - αξιολογήσει? Το υπάρχον σύστημα "έρευνας" έχει αποτύχει.
Τελικά, τι είδους έρευνες θα πρέπει να κάνουμε, μήπως έρευνες των οποίων τα αποτελέσματα θα διαφωτίσουν τους επαγγελματίες?

Going through the supplementary data I was very disapointed to read in all cases that there is insufficient evidence, except for one case!
We got a C grade and the recommendation that "Reflexology can be considered for improving quality of life among breast cancer patients.
Once again, after so much effort and enthusiasm, after all the money spent, with so many difficulties in raising more needed money to conduct even more research, with the existing problems current research is being conducted and published, I question if we are on the right track.
How can it be that Reflexology is being utilized more and more by the public, but research does not reproduce the everyday Reflexologists results?
And what kind of research should we be involved in, maybe research that will enlighten Reflexologists themselves.
Oh well I guess it could have been worse.

Experts say more than 80 percent of breast cancer survivors in the United States rely on some form of complementary or integrative therapies such as vitamins, acupuncture, meditation, massage, and yoga.
Despite their widespread use, there has been little rigorous research to see if these practices are helpful or harmful.
To address this void, Dr. Heather Greenlee, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, developed a new set of clinical practice guidelines on the use of integrative therapies.
She presented her guidelines at a recent meeting of the Society for Integrative Oncology.
Greenlee and her colleagues reviewed nearly 5,000 articles published between 1990 and 2013. From this, researchers reviewed 203 separate randomized control trials of the various interventions.

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/11/06/alternative-therapy-guidelines-issued-for-breast-cancer-survivors/77032.html

The new guidelines come from the Society for Integrative Oncology, researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center with colleagues at MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and other institutions in the United States and Canada. More than 80 different therapies were analyzed by the researchers.
Meditation, yoga, and relaxation with imagery were found to have the strongest evidence supporting their use. They received an "A" grade and are recommended for routine use for anxiety and other mood disorders common to breast cancer patients. The same practices received a "B" grade for reducing stress, depression, and fatigue, but are also endorsed for most patients with breast cancer.
Acupuncture received a "B" grade for controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and can be recommended to most patients. More than 30 interventions, including some natural products and acupuncture for other conditions, had weaker evidence of benefit due to either small study sizes or conflicting study results, and received a "C" grade.
These results were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monograph (2014; doi:10.1093/jncimonographs/lgu041) and were presented at the 11th International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology in Houston, Texas.
A number of interventions did not have sufficient evidence to support specific recommendations. "This does not mean that they don't work, this means that we don't yet know if they work, in what form, or what dose is the most effective. The vast majority of therapies require further investigation through well-designed controlled clinical trials," said Greenlee.
http://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/the-society-for-integrative-oncology-sio-and-co-researchers-issue-a-report-card-on-complementary-therapies-for-breast-cancer/article/383467/

Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Use of Integrative Therapies as Supportive Care in Patients Treated for Breast Cancer

http://jncimonographs.oxfordjournals.org/content/suppl/2014/09/22/lgu041.DC1