Reflexology?

Heard wonders about reflexology so I decided to have a go for one session yesterday. If you are wondering what is reflexology – reflexology is a natural healing art, based on the principle that stimulating reflex points on the feet, hands or ears can have a beneficial effect on other parts of the body. By applying technique a reflexologist can break up patterns of stress in other parts of the body.

Did a quick research on Google and found this –

“Pressure applied to the feet generates a signal through the peripheral nervous system. From there it enters the central nervous system where it is processed adjustments in fuel and oxygen. Finally a response is fashioned that is sent onto the motor system. This message is feel forward to adjust the body’s tone or overall tension level. If applied property the tone will reset itself to a lower operating tempo. A lower operating tempo means a lessening of stress and less wear and tear on the body’s systems.”

“The purpose of the nerves is to carry messages and instruct the body. When the nerves improve that instructs the body, the instruction has to improve, the body has to improve. Every nerve in the body begins and ends in the hands and feet. By applying this specialised exercise pressure on the foot, the outcome is improved instruction to each and every part of the body, resulting in a re-educating, re-patterning, and re-conditioning of the nerve instruction through the reflex/neutral electrical system of the body.”

“The purpose of the blood is to transport nutrition, glucose and oxygen to all parts of the body. The blood travels approximately 168,000 miles per day to supply about 60 trillion cells in the body. The heart pumps about 100,000 times per day. It is in the hands and feet that blood transfers from arteries to veins to return back to the heart. This is the reason why the feet must be flexible and dexterous. Stress, which can be responsible for 80% to 90% of ailments, can act like a tourniquet, wrapping around the body, squeezing so tightly that it causes an impediment of blood flow which results in an ischemic condition. Since the capillaries feed the functioning part of the body, we are only as healthy as out capillaries. Again, by using this specific, highly specialised relaxation technique, reflexology is able to relax a specific area of the body enough to improve the blood supply to that area. This will then allow improved transportation of the nutrition, glucose and oxygen which that area of the body desperately needs to function or to regulate.”

“It is essential to remember that we are not only what we eat, we are what we supply to our cells and then assimilate. The purpose of the lymphatic system is to cleanse and purify the bloody and lubricate the muscles. A healthy system is a cleansed system; congestion is a disease. The absence of balance in the body is disease. The lymphatic system cannot cleanse or purify very well if it is weak, sick or congested. A healthy person body will rid itself of at least 8 pounds or toxic waste per day through the four channels of elimination – kidneys, bowels, skin and breath. The lymph flows in one direction only, towards the heart; also every lymphatic vessel begins and ends in the hands and feet. By using reflexology, we are persuading the body to correct, strengthen and reinforce itself.”

The most common form is foot reflexology which I tried yesterday where the foot reflexologist applied pressure to specific points on my foot.

Reflexology sessions generally last from 30 minutes to an hour. The session I had yesterday lasted about 40 minutes and it is a clothed session with only the removal of my shoes and stockings.

It didn’t hurt for me which is good. I understand that too much pressure can actually be harmful and could lead to surgery. I guess personal preference is something you should communicate with your reflexologist.

I did feel relaxed while in the session. Not so sure how relaxed I felt after. Apparently how long that relaxation lasts is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the session.

Reflexology is safe for everyone and it’s recommended to be used throughout a lifetime. Because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body.

Research has found that not only is it beneficial as a tool for relaxation and stress relied, it is also an effective tool for improving circulation; relieving pain, detoxification, recovering from surgery and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. But I guess in general terms; the benefits of reflexology have to do with the reduction of stress. I am very doubtful that reflexology can benefit certain conditions and diseases.

The website I was reading advised the following “ The goals of reflexology are to re-educate, re-pattern and re-condition the nerves through the neural/electrical system of the body. This will cause four reactions:

• To relax a particular area of the body through a highly specialised specific relaxation technique
• To improve nerve, blood and lymphatic supply
• To persuade the body to biologically correct itself
• To allow the body to reach homeostasis
• The blood circulation system will be boosted
• It can help prevent and cure many symptoms such as headache, stress, asthma, constipation, sinusitis and migraine
• It can relieve pain and stiffness caused by too much exercising or using muscles for too long

In a society that relies on chemically laden prescription drugs to cure the sick, reflexology is providing success stories worth examining.

Reflexology has made its mark in the world of alternative therapies because apparently it works. I have my doubt but I am trying to hopefully prove me wrong. Regardless, reflexology should only act as a compliment to standard medical care. It should not be construed as medical advice. It should not be a replacement to medical help. Please remember that reflexology is not a miracle cure and not everyone will respond in the same way.

Found this on the Internet –

• The massage must be done with accuracy to avoid wrong reflection which will cause muscle infection
• One should not receive massage until at least one hour after meal
• One should hydrate as much as possible before coming to a session
• After receiving massage, one is required to drink water to eliminate toxin and lactic acids developed during the massage process
• Pregnant women, menstruating women and who are bleeding internally and externally are not allowed to receive foot reflexology massage
• Both masseur and clients are prohibited from washing hair, hands, feet or taking a bath within one hour of foot reflexology massage in order to prevent the body’s elements from the effect of coldness
• Foot reflexology massage can be given every day but the total duration of both feet in a day should not exceed 45 minutes. However, only 10 minutes is allowed for patients who used to suffer from heart attack.

The reflexologist I tried with yesterday I believe was not experienced, so I will be on a hunt again to look for a better one. I might even try to learn the techniques for myself. I guess having the knowledge to treat myself and my family will be one of the smartest things I can do – obviously assuming that it works to begin with.

I guess I am quite practical. I do however believe in faith and healing. I don’t believe in fairies or the Easter Bunny. I personally would like to open to anything that can improve my health.