What is reflexology?
Sonia Jones ND from the Haven Spa and health Clinic
For thousands of years a system of pressure and massage applied to the feet has been refined and perfected into the holistic health treatment known today as reflexology. Reflexology has the capacity to help many conditions, but it is also possible to detect existing ailments and any potential future problems we may face.
Reflexology is considered a truly whole body therapy applied through the feet, the principles of the treatment work with the reflex areas in the feet and hands that correspond to all of the body’s tissue, glands, organs, in fact every part of the body, plus the mind and soul. It is a method of activating a healing response within the body. Stimulating these reflex areas correctly can help many health problems in a truly natural holistic way. A similar principle and action of acupuncture but without the needless.
Reflexology in skilled hands is not just a foot massage it is a serious therapy in the health field helping many conditions. The wonderful thing about reflexology is it can be learned by anyone and be given to anyone from babies to the elderly, with no need for any special equipment. Just using the hands, making it a very safe and simple but extremely affective therapy, that can be done anywhere and anytime.
Touch has been part of healing forever. When we suffer pain we instinctively place our hands on the painful area to sooth the pain. It is a basis instinct to use pressure to relieve painful symptoms. When a child hurts themselves, they are instantly better when their mother rubs the injured area.
Our body is constantly trying to achieve homeostasis, a Greek word for balance. Medical text books devote many pages to explaining how the body achieves this. Every second of the day hormones and chemicals are produced to either speed things up or slow things down. When we get cold the body shivers in an attempt to keep us warm, when the body gets hot we sweat to cool down. Certain foods and drinks elevate our blood sugar levels too high, the body responds by producing the hormone insulin to bring blood sugar levels down again. Then there are hormones that break down calcium in our bones and others that rebuild it again. Of-course this is a mere fraction that goes on every slip second of every day. Reflexology stimulates responses in the body that help the body in its quest for homeostasis, this intricate balancing act.
The feet and hands contain thousands of nerve endings, stimulation of these sensory nerve endings send messages up the spinal cord to the brain. The brain then reads these impulses as potential problems in the corresponding part of the body which is related to that part of the hand or foot known as reflex zones. This is a very similar principle to acupuncture. The body then decides for itself whether a part needs stimulating or calming down. Reflexology actives the body’s own healing power. In the case of weight loss reflexology can help the body cope with stress, balance blood sugar levels more efficiently, cope with withdrawal symptoms better, increase energy and more.
Touching another person’s feet is something most people hardly ever do, for that that matter we hardly ever allow someone else to touch our feet. Yet it feels so wonderful, a real treat, even a short massage on the feet can ease away a stressful day and make you feel less tired. Most people like having their feet massaged.
Some people say ‘they couldn’t possibly have a foot treatment like reflexology because their feet are far too ticklish’. In the many years I have practiced reflexology this has never been a problem. The feet are handled in such a way that even the most sensitive of people have had no problems what so ever.
Though reflexology does not treat specific diseases, it does bring about a change in the body that enables it to heal itself.
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