Reflecting on Reflexology

I love offering multiple modalities, they work congruently with one another.  I am often asked which modality I prefer to offer or which one I would suggest and why… Although I love all of the modalities I offer and they work so well together, I do like to get my hands on the feet to perform Reflexology.  I can get a great sense of what is going on in the whole body physically, emotionally and even spiritually.  This might sound a little strange but your feet tell a story and I love putting that story together,  then work towards healing.  During sandal season it’s such an amazing treatment to relax the foot, especially those arches! (Did you know the arch of the foot is a window to your spines health?)  Below is a run down of what makes Reflexology amazing.

Reflexology 101

What is reflexology?

Reflexology is a type of massage that involves applying different amounts of pressure to the feet, hands, and ears. It’s based on a theory that these body parts are connected to certain organs and body systems. People who practice this technique are called reflexologists.

Reflexologists believe that applying pressure to these parts offers a range of health benefits.

How Does Reflexology Work?

There are a few different theories about how reflexology works.

In traditional Chinese medicine Reflexology rests on the ancient Chinese belief of qi  or “vital energy”.  According to this belief, qi flows through each person.  When a person feels stressed, their body blocks qi.

This can cause an imbalance in the body that leads to illness. Reflexology aims to keep qi flowing through the body, keeping it balanced and disease free.

In Chinese medicine, different body parts correspond with different pressure points on the body. Reflexologists use maps of these points in the feet, hands, and ears to determine where they should apply pressure.

They believe their touch sends energy flowing through a person’s body until it reaches the area in need of healing.

Other theories:

In the 1890s, British scientists found that nerves connect the skin and internal organs. They also found that the body’s entire nervous system tends to adjust to outside factors, including touch.

A reflexologist’s touch may help to calm the central nervous system, promoting relaxation and other benefits just like any form of massage.

Others believe that the brain creates pain as a subjective experience. Sometimes, the brain reacts to physical pain. But in other cases, it may create pain in response to emotional or mental distress.

Some believe that reflexology can reduce pain through calming touch, which may help to improve someone’s mood and reduce stress.

Zone theory is another belief that some use to explain how reflexology works. This theory holds that the body contains 10 vertical zones. Each zone contains different body parts and corresponds to specific fingers and toes.

Practitioners of the zone theory believe that touching these fingers and toes allows them to access every body part in a particular zone.

What are the Potential Benefits of reflexology

Reflexology is linked to many potential benefits, So far, there’s evidence that reflexology may help to:

In addition, people have reported that reflexology helped them:

What does the Research Say?

It may have some value as a complementary therapy to help reduce symptoms and improve someone’s quality of life, much like massage. Since the massaged area is the feet, for some people that will provide even more relief of stress or discomfort.

Is Reflexology Safe to Try?

Generally, reflexology is very safe, even for people living with serious health conditions. It’s noninvasive and comfortable to receive.

However, you should talk to your doctor first if you have any of the following health issues:

You may still be able to try reflexology if you have any of these issues, but you might need to take a few precautions to avoid any adverse effects.

Some people also report having mild side effects after reflexology treatment, including:

lightheadedness
tender feet
emotional sensitivity

But these are short-term side effects that tend to go away shortly after treatment.

Not a Fan of having your Feet worked on?
Try Hand Reflexology

Hand Reflexology is another way to experience healing.  You might be drawn to receiving Hand Reflexology if you experience sore hands from working with them especially if you work doing repetitive hand movements.  Hand Reflexology is especially effective for the reflex’s that run from the waist up.

What is hand reflexology?

Hand reflexology is a massage technique that puts pressure on various reflex points around your hands. The belief is that these points correlate to different body parts and that massaging the points can help to relieve symptoms in other areas of the body.