How Can Reflexology Help You?
What Is Therapeutic Reflexology?
The term therapeutic means the healing of disease. Reflexology is a method of massage used on the feet, hands and sometimes ears. It works on the principle that the body structures are reflected on the feet, hands and ears. By working these reflexes with thumbs and fingers the body structures are stimulated to encourage balance in the body. In other words the reflexes are stimulated to tell overworked organs to rest and under worked organs to get working. Reflexology also works on the zone theory where the body is divided into 10 zones, each finger and toe representing a zone. If a part of the zone is congested the rest of the zone is affected.
The feet reflect the body systems.
It can help stretch the Plantar Fascia.
Your feet take most of the impact when running.
How Is Reflexology Used In Remedial Massage?
Reflexology can be used in a remedial massage therapy session to assist in the healing of several conditions that affect the feet such as: achilles tendonitis, bunions, heel spurs, neuromas, plantar fasciitis, arch pain and flat feet. Reflexology can assist with healing plantar fasciitis by stretching the fascia in different directions allowing the fascia to become fluid again which helps protect the nerve endings.
Reflexology can assist in the pain relief of bunions by relaxing the muscles around the big toe. These muscles are also linked to the urinary system by stimulating the kidneys to expel uric acid. A build up in uric acid is one of the causes of gout, arthritis and bunions.
If you’re a runner reflexology can be beneficial to increased elimination of lactic acid. Running effects the whole body and so reflexology can help heal the body as reflexology promotes healing for the entire body not just the system in focus. Your feet take most of the impact while running so a good reflexology session can help ease the tension that the feet experience. Reflexology can help speed up recovery time from a training session or injury
Improved nerve function
Nerve endings become less sensitive as we grow older. Most of the nerve endings are found in our hands and feet. Reflexology helps stimulate these nerve endings which increases their function and reactivity. Stimulating the nerves in the feet can help with proprioception and your balance.
Improved Energy levels
By stimulating the body system reflexes the body’s metabolism increases. A better metabolism the better your energy levels.
Relaxation
By stimulating the nerve endings, the body manages to relax and spreads calmness throughout the body and mind. Reflexology can be used to assist in the treatment of sleep disorders like insomnia. By creating a relaxed state of mind and body it may be easier to sleep.
Reduces Headaches
Reflexology is mainly used to alleviate pain. By relieving the tension in the corresponding reflexes it is often experienced that the severity of the migraine or headache decreases. If the headache is caused by hormones the endocrine system will be the main focus to help balance out the hormones. If it is stress related, reflexology can assist in relaxation and so alleviate the headache.
Improves circulation
As with any massage, blood and lymphatic circulation increases. Increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. This improves the functioning of organs and better healing of damaged cells. With improved circulation comes the benefit of getting rid of toxins in the body. Especially with stimulating the urinary system to be more efficient there is a decreased chance of you contracting a disease due to a ineffective urinary system.
Stimulates the nerve endings.
