Reflexology
Making You Feel Good From Top to Toe
Reflexology is a pressure point massage applied to the feet, hands and ears in order to stimulate energy flow to areas in need of healing elsewhere in the body.
Based on the ancient Chinese belief in qi – the ‘vital energy’ that circulates through the body at all times – when this flow of energy becomes blocked, usually through stress, it can lead to imbalances in the body that cause illness.
Reflexology works to keep qi flowing. In turn, this keeps the body balanced and better able to combat disease.
The Background to Reflexology
In Chinese medicine, different parts of the body correspond to different organs and systems in the body. Maps are then used to navigate these points – usually in the feet, but also the hands, and ears – to determine where pressure needs to be applied in order to reach an area in need of healing.
Some years after the Chinese came up with this correlation, British scientists in the 1890s discovered that nerves do in fact connect the skin and internal organs, and that the nervous system adjusted to external factors, such as touch. Therefore, it was thought that a reflexologist’s touch could help calm the central nervous system thereby bringing relaxation and other benefits to patients.
Over the years, different schools of thought have developed that all fall under the general reflexology umbrella, including ‘zone therapy’, a practise that divides the body into ten longitudinal zones from head to toe. This differs slightly from reflexology which defines a precise correlation between pressure points and afflicted areas of the body with feet and hands, each divided into 12 respective pressure zones.
What are the benefits of reflexology?
Reflexology has been linked to a number of potential benefits including:
- lower stress and anxiety levels due to neural pathways being flooded with calm energy, bringing peace and tranquillity to body and mind;
- better sleep thanks to lower stress levels restoring healthy Circadian rhythms;
- enhanced cognitive function due to open neural pathways allowing the entire brain to work faster and more efficiently;
- relief from migraines and headaches by increasing blood flow and relieving muscle tension;
- and improvements in circulation, resulting in blood and oxygen circulating through the body more effectively, reaching vital organ systems and optimising their function while increasing metabolism and energy levels.
Regarding the efficacy of reflexology, a number of studies have found positive results in terms of managing pain and anxiety levels.
A 2011 study of women with breast cancer found that reflexology helped to reduce some of their symptoms including shortness of breath. Participants also reported improved quality of life.
Another study looking at premenstrual syndrome found that women who received two months of reflexology treatment reported significantly less painful PMS symptoms than the women who did not.
Regarding anxiety, in 2000 researchers looked at the effects of a 30-minute foot reflexology session on people being treated for breast or lung cancer. Those who received the treatment reported lower levels of anxiety than those who received no reflexology treatment.
A 2014 study found that people undergoing heart surgery who had a 20-minute foot reflexology session once a day for four days reported significantly lower levels of anxiety than those who didn’t.
In more anecdotal evidence, reflexology has been said to:
- help boost immune systems;
- fight colds and bacterial infections;
- clear up sinus issues;
- relieve back problems;
- correct hormonal imbalances;
- and improve digestion.
Are there any side effects with reflexology?
Reflexology is a non-invasive therapy that the majority of people enjoy rather than tolerate. However, those with the following medical conditions are advised to consult a doctor before seeing a reflexologist:
- circulation problems in the feet;
- blood clots or inflammation of leg veins;
- gout;
- foot ulcers;
- fungal infections, like athlete’s foot;
- open wounds on hands or feet;
- thyroid problems;
- epilepsy;
- and low platelet counts or other blood-related problems, which can cause bruising and bleeding.
Pregnant women are also advised to speak to their doctor before undergoing reflexology.
Neomed’s resident physiotherapist Lubka Mlčúchová said: “According to reflex zones that are linked to specific organs and body parts, an experienced therapist can diagnose and ‘treat’ conditions with the application of massage or placing pressure on specific points.
“Reflexology is an ancient massage technique that is beneficial for everyone, with a few notable exceptions. However, generally speaking, reflexology is a very pleasant and relaxing therapy that gives people an immediate sense of relief, not only on the feet.
“Regular sessions can help in a number of ways including with constipation issues, detoxification, headache, nervous tension or stress.”
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