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Reflexology
Reflexology is a holistic healing technique in which pressure with the fingers and thumbs is applied to “reflex” zones that have been mapped out on the feet and hands. By applying pressure and stimulating the feet or hands you are increasing circulation and promoting healing in the corresponding part of the body.
Therefore stress and other conditions can be improved in the same way an acupuncturist can break up blockages in Qi using acupuncture needles. Reflexology is much more than a foot massage.
The practice of Reflexology dates back to Ancient Egypt, India, and China, but it wasn’t until 1913 when Dr. William Fitzgerald introduced the therapy to the Western World as “zone therapy” that it became well known in North America. He noted that reflex areas on the feet and hands were linked to areas and organs in the same zone on the body.
According to the zone theory, the body is divided into ten equal longitudinal zones, five on the left side and five on the right. These zones run through the body from the crown of the head to the tips of the toes. The five zones on the left side correspond to the left foot; the five on the right side correspond to the right foot.
In the 1930’s Eunice Ingham further developed this zone theory. As she worked with Dr. Joe Shelby Riley, an osteopath, she observed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot was mirrored in the corresponding part of the body. She plotted these “reflex” points on a foot map and renamed the practice Reflexology.
The Reflexologist learns the position of the “reflex buttons” on the hands and feet which connect to all the organs and glands. When stimulated, these “reflex buttons” send out a surge of healing energy, encouraging the corresponding body part to heal itself.
Your feet are extensively connected to your nervous system through the 7,200 nerve endings in each foot. These nerves are part of the sympathetic nervous system that senses pain and pressure, hot and cold, wet and dry, etc. Your sympathetic nervous system is also responsible for the “fight or flight” response.
Proper stimulation of these nerves can induce the “relaxation response.” This will produce a cascading effect, reducing stress throughout the nervous system. This will cause the blood pressure to fall, respiration to slow down, and heart rate to drop. Your whole body will relax and begin to repair the damage caused by excess stress.
Studies have shown reflexology to be a natural therapeutic approach to health and healing. It is considered to be safe and effective. Reflexology can be performed anywhere, requires no special equipment, and is noninvasive. Reflexology is inexpensive, low-risk, flexible, and easy to learn. You can purchase a reflexology foot or hand chart and learn to do the procedure on yourself.
The results of various clinical studies carried out over the last decade or so show the effectiveness of reflexology in the relief of pain and anxiety in cancer patients.
One study involving patients with breast and lung cancer showed a significant decrease in anxiety and pain after foot reflexology treatments. This suggests reflexology could be taught to this population group for relief from pain and anxiety due to their condition.
To test the effectiveness of combined holistic care, 20 terminally ill cancer patients received a footbath containing the essential oil of lavender followed by a reflexology treatment with jojoba oil containing lavender.
The patients reported feeling significantly less fatigue and said they felt better physically and mentally. They even asked if the treatments could be continued.
In a Korean study, 46 middle-aged women were trained to perform their own reflexology treatments. The study focused on menopausal symptoms of depression, stress, and immune system function.
After 6 weeks, the women showed significant improvement in feelings of depression, perceived stress levels, systolic blood pressure, natural killer cells, and IgG (natural killer cells and IgG are indicators of improved immune function).
Self-applied foot reflexology could be an effective holistic method of lowering depression and stress, and strengthening the immune system in middle-aged menopausal women.
Other studies have shown reflexology to be effective for:
• Back pain• Infertility
• Arthritis
• Sleep disorders
• Hormonal balances
• Sports injuries
• Digestive disorders
Reflexology will work for anyone and everyone. If you don’t believe it will work, that’s okay. You’ll have a positive experience anyway. The key is to relax. The more you allow yourself to let go and relax during the session, the better your outcome will be.
Besides, what’s better than a good foot massage? And foot reflexology is so much more.
You can find books and tools on learning and using reflexology at The Holistic Intent Store.