Reflexology areas on the foot correspond to areas of the body, and that by manipulating these one can improve health through one's qi. Reflexologists divide the body into ten equal vertical zones, five on the right and five on the left. Concerns have been raised by medical professionals that treating potentially serious illnesses with reflexology, which has no proven efficacy, could delay the seeking of appropriate medical treatment. Reflexologists posit that the blockage of an energy field, invisible life force, or Qi, can prevent healing. Another tenet of reflexology is the belief that practitioners can relieve stress and pain in other
The Berlin Patient The Berlin Patient The Berlin patient is a phrase that has been used on two distinct and unrelated occasions: in the first case, to describe a person who has exhibited prolonged "post treatment control" of HIV viral load after HIV treatments were interrupted; and in the second case, to describe the one individual who is considered to have been cured of HIV infection. Both cases originated in Berlin, Germany. The first Berlin patient was described in 1998. After receiving an experimental therapy, the patient, who has remained anonymous, has maintained low levels of HIV and has remained off antiretroviral therapy.