> wrote in message ups.com...
>
> pearl wrote:
> > 'Paediatr Nurs. 2003 Apr;15(3):20-1.
> > Reflexology in the management of encopresis and chronic constipation.
> > Bishop E, McKinnon E, Weir E, Brown DW.
> >
> > Encopresis or faecal incontinence in children is an extremely distressing
> > condition that is usually secondary to chronic constipation/stool withholding.
> > Traditional management with enemas may add to the child's distress. This
> > study investigated the efficacy of treating patients with encopresis and
> > chronic constipation with reflexology. An observational study was carried
> > out of 50 children between three and 14 years of age who had a diagnosis
> > of encopresis/chronic constipation. The children received six sessions of
> > 30-minutes of reflexology to their feet. With the help of their parents they
> > completed questionnaires on bowel motions and soiling patterns before,
> > during and after the treatment. A further questionnaire was completed by
> > parents pre and post treatment on their attitude towards reflexology.
> > Forty-eight of the children completed the sessions. The number of bowel
> > motions increased and the incidence of soiling decreased. Parents were
> > keen to try the reflexology and were satisfied with the effect of reflexology
> > on their child's condition. It appears that reflexology has been an effective
> > method of treating encopresis and constipation over a six-week period in
> > this cohort of patients.
> >
>
> These kids are told to eat animals and are vitamin C deficient.
> Reflexology or laxatives may help but don't address the problem. I
> couldn't downloade the whole article.. did the authors make any mention
> at all of diet?? We are talking about the digestive system after all.
That is correct. Without identifying and removing the cause/s
of the disease, the effects of the treatment can be helpful, but
will not eliminate the problem. However reflexology is a branch
of holistic naturopathic medicine, and all aspects of the patient's
lifestyle should be considered. Diet is certainly very important.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine;
DEFINITION OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health
care - an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of illness. Naturopathic medicine is
distinguished by the principles which underlie and determine
its practice. These principles are based upon the objective
observation of the nature of health and disease, and are
continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances.
Methods used are consistent with these principles and are
chosen upon the basis of patient individuality. Naturopathic
physicians are primary health care practitioners, whose
diverse techniques include modern and traditional, scientific
and empirical methods. The following principles are the
foundation for the practice of naturopathic medicine:
PRINCIPLES
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
The healing power of nature is the inherent self-organizing
and healing process of living systems which establishes,
maintains and restores health. Naturopathic medicine
recognizes this healing process to be ordered and intelligent.
It is the naturopathic physician's role to support, facilitate
and augment this process by identifying and removing obstacles
to health and recovery, and by supporting the creation of a
healthy internal and external environment.
Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
Illness does not occur without cause. Causes may originate
in many areas. Underlying causes of illness and disease must
be identified and removed before complete recovery can
occur. Symptoms can be expressions of the body's attempt
to defend itself, to adapt and recover, to heal itself, or
may be results of the causes of disease. The naturopathic
physician seeks to treat the causes of disease, rather than
to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic physicians follow three precepts to avoid
harming the patient:
+ Naturopathic physicians utilize methods and medicinal
substances which minimize the risk of harmful effects, and
apply the least possible force or intervention necessary to
diagnose illness and restore health.
+Whenever possible the suppression of symptoms is avoided
as suppression generally interferes with the healing process.
+Naturopathic physicians respect and work with the vis
medicatrix naturae in diagnosis, treatment and counseling,
for if this self-healing process is not respected the patient
may be harmed.
Doctor As Teacher (Docere)
The original meaning of the word "doctor" is teacher. A
principal objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate
the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health.
Naturopathic physicians also recognize and employ the
therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.
Treat the Whole Person
Health and disease result from a complex of physical, mental,
emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors.
Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic
physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal
spiritual development. Naturopathic medicine recognizes the
harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual as
being essential to health. The multifactorial nature of health
and disease requires a personalized and comprehensive
approach to diagnosis and treatment. Naturopathic physicians
treat the whole person taking all of these factors into
account.
Prevention
Naturopathic medical colleges emphasize the study of health
as well as disease. The prevention of disease and the
attainment of optimal health in patients are primary objectives
of naturopathic medicine. In practice, these objectives are
accomplished through education and the promotion of healthy
ways of living. Naturopathic physicians assess risk factors,
heredity and susceptibility to disease, and make appropriate
interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness.
Naturopathic medicine asserts that one cannot be healthy in
an unhealthy environment and is committed to the creation
of a world in which humanity may thrive.
http://web.archive.org/web/200108170...uro.philo.html