Facilitating phenomenological interviewing by means of reflexology

E Ross,S Schulze,Petro M Van Niekerk,

doi:10.4102/curationis.v28i1.930

Abstract

The aim of this article is to show how reflexology could facilitate phenomenological interviewing by probing the life-world of individual participants. It presents a hybrid study of phenomenological interviewing and reflexology as a holistic method of health care. In this sense, it is an interparadigmatic study, since it rests on the interface of Western and Oriental thought. This article reports on seven cases which were included in the qualitative, empirical investigation. During the sessions, reflexological readings served as impetus for inquiry into the experiences of the participants, as congestions on reflex points and along meridians were interpreted in terms of physical organs and functions. These readings were related to corresponding emotions as accepted within the reflexology paradigm. It was, however, up to the participants to inform the researcher of events and/or circumstances that caused the emotions. Thus, nonverbal data communicated information that facilitated verbal exchange concerning the life-world of each individual participant.

Highlights

Involvement in com plementary/alternative health care of ten leads to fascination with the ways in which the mind/ body divide has been bridged, since physical conditions are inextricably linked with psychological experiences
These serve as indications of emo tional experiences it is up to individuals to share details of events or circumstances that led to such emo tional experiences
It is essential to understand how reflexology relates to and is influenced by Chinese medicine, because it has not al ways been associated with China

Summary

Introduction

Introduction ogyInvolvement in com plementary/alternative health care of ten leads to fascination with the ways in which the mind/ body divide has been bridged, since physical conditions are inextricably linked with psychological experiences. The aim of this research is to establish whether phenomenological interviewing could be facilitated by means of reflexology. While participants experiencing reflexology reveal details concerning their experiences verbally, their bodies share the degree to which such experiences are integrated into their physical existence.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion