Liz Strangways, reflexologist to the stars

Part three of my vendetta against local quacks focuses on Liz Strangways, who boasts of giving up a respectable career in human resources for the chance to spend her life rubbing people's toes.

(Image credit)

Liz is quite careful to avoid making illegal health claims - and good for her - but it has proven impossible to restrain her delusions entirely. Hopefully, she'll be happy to receive a gentle nudge in the right direction.

About reiki - a theatrical but useless magical hand-waving therapy - she says

"Reiki works to heal you at the level of your energy to the root of any disease..."

Precisely which "any disease" she means, I can't be sure. Liz is less reticent in her boasts for reflexology.

"Reflexology may help to cleanse the body of toxins and impurities."

For those Doubting Thomases among you, Liz offers a glittering celebrity endorsement from the Olympic silver medallist, Kriss Akabusi, who writes

"Liz is a totally committed person in what ever she does and brings a high level of integrity to the table. Liz and I worked together on various projects in my charity where she was dedicated to developing expert knowledge in various facets of the work..."

This "expert knowledge" of which Akabusi speaks presumably refers to this discussion of the "Science Behind Reiki", which starts in the usual way:

"The Science Behind Reiki - What is Energy? - Einstein and later quantum physicists have explained [continues for several more pages]"

ASA complaints follows!

"The website makes a number of health claims which I suspect are misleading.

1. ( http://www.lizstrangways.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/2865?opendocument&part=2 )

"Reflexology is a method believed to activate the healing powers of the body"

I'd like to challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate her claim that reflexology can 'activate the healing powers of the body'.

2.

"a modern scientific method called reflexology"

I'd like to challenge whether the description of reflexology as a 'modern scientific method' is misleading.

3.

"What joins the ancient and the modern is the long-established principle that there are energy zones that run throughout the body and reflex areas in the feet that correspond to all the major organs, glands and body parts."

I challenge whether the correspondence between 'reflex areas in the feet that corrrespond to all the major organs, glands and body parts' is in fact a 'long-established principle', in the sense that it is supported by evidence.

4.

"Reflexology may help to cleanse the body of toxins and impurities."

I challenge whether reflexology can 'help to cleanse the body of toxins and impurities'.

5.

"How does reflexology work?
Since ancient times various methodologies have been employed to strengthen and balance the flow of energy. Many of these systems, including acupuncture, shiatsu and reflexology agree that this energy flows in zones or meridians throughout the body. Reflexologists specify that there are ten energy zones that run the length of the body from head to toe - five on each side of the body ending in each foot and running down the arms into the tips of the fingers. All the organs and parts of the body lie along one or more of these zones. Each zone can be considered a channel for the intangible life energy, called chi or qi in oriental and martial arts. Stimulating any zone in the foot by applying pressure with the thumbs and fingers affects the entire zone throughout the body, revitalizing and balancing the entire zone which may improve the function of the organs in that zone."

I challenge whether 'Stimulating any zone in the foot by applying pressure with the thumbs and fingers affects the entire zone throughout the body, revitalizing and balancing the entire zone which may improve the function of the organs in that zone" can be substantiated.

6. ( http://www.lizstrangways.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/2865?opendocument&part=3 )

"Reiki encourages and supports your positive personal choices such as... reducing your need for alcohol and tobacco."

I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate the claim that reiki can be used to reduce tobacco and alcohol addictions.

7.

"Being complementary, Reiki is effective alongside orthodox healthcare and natural remedies, expanding treatment options."

I challenge whether the word 'effective' is misleading and can be substantiated.

8.

"Reiki works to heal you at the level of your energy to the root of any disease"

I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate her claim that reiki 'works' and can 'heal you' of 'the root of any disease'.

9.

"The Science Behind Reiki - What is Energy? - Einstein and later quantum physicists have explained... [continues for several pages]"

I challenge the description of reiki as supported by 'science' and explained by 'Einstein and later quantum physicists' can be substantiated and whether it is misleading.

10.

"What is interesting is that science has confirmed something that has been part of the spiritual wisdom of many cultures for thousands of years; that an unseen energy flows through and connects all living things."

I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate her claim that 'science has confirmed' that reiki energy 'flows through... all living things'.

I've made some screenshots of the relevant pages, which are available at:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=8oIjxV78e9
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=9Am117px0f
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=xo8dTrAta1
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=NUC5cARees
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=80aToecvzq
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=za0HaVkvDx

I can confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general."