Reflexology involves stimulating points on the feet, hands, and ears to affect corresponding body parts, potentially offering benefits like stress reduction and improved circulation; discover what to anticipate during a session.
Let’s dive into what you should know about treating reflexes, along with details and explanations about reflexology:
What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is an ancient healing method that relies on the concept of having different points on the soles of the feet, hands, face, and ears that correspond to the body’s organs. By stimulating these points, you can affect specific body parts.
Evidence of successful reflexology treatments dates back to 2500 BC in ancient Egypt. North American Indians also recognized the connection between the soles of the feet and various body parts, understanding that stimulating specific points on the feet could alleviate pain or illness in the body.
Reflexology isn’t a substitute for traditional medicine. Instead, it’s a complementary therapy that helps the body heal and feel comfortable. It’s also non-invasive, as it involves massaging the patient or preventing them from taking medications or asking them to stop taking some medication. Thus, it does not prevent the diagnosis of the patient’s condition by the doctor.
The Basis of Reflexology
The basis of reflexology can be summarized as follows:
- Treating a person from a holistic perspective (body, mind, and spirit). Reflexology involves treating the entire body, influencing circulation throughout the body.
- Cleansing the body of toxins through massage and activating lymphatic drainage on the hands and feet. Stimulating lymphatic drainage also helps boost the immune system and eliminate toxins in the body.
- Relaxation is the foundation of reflexology, enhancing the body’s self-healing abilities and promoting a sense of comfort.
Benefits of Reflexology
Reflexology doesn’t aim to diagnose or treat diseases. Instead, it focuses on stimulating the body’s natural energy and contributing to self-healing. Therefore, reflexology relies on several benefits, including:
- Reducing tension.
- Improving blood circulation.
- Enhancing the body’s nutritional functions.
What Can You Expect During a Reflexology Session?
Here’s what you can generally expect during a reflexology session:
- Preparing the essential elements for the session, including:
- Personalized nutritional system.
- Adopting a natural lifestyle.
- Medical and nutritional history.
- Removing accessories and jewelry. This treatment differs from other types of treatments like massage and traditional medicine, as it requires the removal of clothing that may cause discomfort.
- Relaxing on a comfortable chair during the treatment or lying on the back.
- Starting the reflexology session, which involves massaging the soles of the feet and hands for about an hour. During this time, the therapist feels for any slight changes in the texture of the feet and hands, as this indicates that the area the therapist is working on corresponds to a specific sensation in the body and is causing pain for the patient. It’s important that the therapist communicates with the patient about their feelings and the nature of the pain for the patient. It’s not uncommon for the pain to cause discomfort.
Most clients report feeling relaxed and comfortable after the treatment. Some may even feel lightheaded. However, others might experience gassiness, constipation, or a frequent need to urinate.
In cases of high exposure to cold, patients may experience worsening symptoms before improving. That is, there is a need for concern about this. It’s also worth noting that the body eliminates harmful toxins after treatment.
Who Benefits from Reflexology?
Reflexology is particularly helpful for individuals dealing with the following conditions:
- Stress in the nervous system.
- Pain in the neck, back, shoulders, or waist.
- Headaches and migraines.
- Symptoms of menopause.
- Hormonal imbalances.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Menstrual problems.
- Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy can greatly benefit from reflexology to alleviate the side effects of treatment.
Are There Any Negatives to Reflexology?
No, there aren’t any negatives to reflexology, as it’s a treatment that relies on massaging the soles of the feet and hands.
Myth & Facts
Myth: Reflexology can diagnose and cure diseases.
Reflexology does not diagnose or treat diseases.
Fact: Reflexology helps to treat chronic diseases and reduce their effects.
Reflexology helps to reduce the effects of chronic diseases and treat them.
