Reflexology
Involves applying gentle pressure to the feet or occasionally the hands. Summary. Reflexology works on energy pathways similar to acupuncture. It aims to relax you, ease stress and tension and help with general wellbeing. Reflexologists believe that certain points on the feet correspond to organs in the body.
What is reflexology good for!
Reflexology triggers relaxation, resulting in reduced levels of stress and tension. This practice is also helpful in increasing blood flow and circulation throughout the body. While reflexology should not be used as a replacement for medical therapy, it can nicely complement your ongoing medical treatments.
Reflexology is based on the Chinese principle that certain areas on the soles of your feet or hands – containing millions of nerve endings – correspond to other parts of the body. All systems and organs of the whole body are said to be mirrored or reflected in smaller peripheral areas.
‘Reflexology stimulates the body into healing itself by improving circulation, reducing stress, pain and restoring natural balance.
Reflexology involves an initial consultation, looking at your feet and making an assessment, I will ask you about your medical history, health issues, lifestyle and diet.I will then apply painless pressure to your feet using my thumb and forefinger to identify which areas of your body aren’t functioning properly.’
Sessions usually last 30 to 60 minutes and focus on the soles of your feet, ‘unless you are very ticklish, in which case they can massage your hands. I would advise five or six sessions to treat specific health conditions and you do not have to undress.’
Benefits of Reflexology
Nerve Endings.
- As our bodies age, our nerve endings become less sensitive in parts of our body, particularly in our extremities. That being said, reflexology has been connected with stimulating more than 7,000 different nerve endings in a single session, thereby increasing their function and reactivity. Opening and cleaning out neural pathways can help improve functionality and flexibility in many areas around the body. Neural pathways are like muscles, so it is good to work them once in a while to keep them sharp!
- By aligning the functioning of various organ and muscle systems, reflexology can increase metabolism and energy creation processes within the body. If you need a boost of energy or are always feeling sluggish, perhaps a reflexology session can help put some pep back in your step!
Increased Circulation.
- One of the most well-known and verified benefits of reflexology is an improvement in circulation throughout the body, which means that blood and oxygen are being cycled through the body more effectively. This means more oxygen reaches vital organ systems, thereby optimizing their functioning and further increasing the metabolism. This also results in faster healing and re-growth of damaged cells.
Relaxation.
- Reflexology has been known to open neural pathways, and this sort of free-flowing neural activity results in a more relaxed state in the body. For this reason, reflexology can flood your system with relaxation, inducing a state of calm throughout your body and mind. In this same vein, reflexology is commonly used to cure sleep disorders. Insomnia can be a very troubling condition to suffer through, but reflexology helps your body relax and get back to its normal, healthy Circadian rhythms.
Eliminates Toxins
- Reflexology has been shown to improve bladder function and to reduce urinary tract issues. What this means in terms of toxicity is a more efficient system of eliminating toxins and other foreign substances, thereby protecting your body from the various diseases and health conditions that can often arise from a compromised urinary system.
- The open neural pathways can benefit our central nervous system in a variety of ways. It not only enhances the brain’s ability to handle inputs more effectively, thereby speeding up our cognitive powers, but also increases the physical reaction rate and boosts memory.
Reduction of headaches
- Reflexology is primarily used by many people as a method of eliminating pain. As an analgesic treatment, reflexology can reduce the severity of migraines and headaches, simply by relieving tension in the muscles that can often result in these conditions. Any headaches induced by stress can also be eliminated since stress and psychological factors often manifest in the physical symptoms of a migraine. This is actually one of the most popular applications of reflexology.
Speed Healing
- The combination of increased nerve activity and circulation, as well as the more balanced functioning of the metabolism, means that cells re-grow faster and wounds are able to heal quicker. Also, the pain-relieving qualities of reflexology mean that patients recover rapidly, and are more willing to get back into routine life!
Cancer Treatments
- Although reflexology isn’t connected directly to curing cancer, it has been known to ease the side effects of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. It helps with sleep, reduces anxiety, and also reduces the chances of vomiting or other commonly experienced indigestion issues. The more general effects of reflexology, such as clearing neural channels and increasing circulation, can help to slow the spread of cancer and can stimulate antioxidant activity to destroy cancer cells. Research is ongoing in this field.
Pregnancy and Menstruation
- Reflexology can be very beneficial for pregnant women, particularly in terms of labour lengths and their need for analgesics during labour and postpartum recovery time. It can reduce the chances of postpartum depression and can also help a woman’s body heal itself faster and get back to its normal metabolic activity quickly.
- Although much of the research on reflexology has been criticized or cited as Reflexology should be considered as a supplemental treatment to formal medical advice and treatment for the more serious conditions that have been touched on in this article. Kick your feet up and get healthy!