Massage Therapy

Pressure Point Therapy – Reflexology

Reflexology: An Effective Pressure Point Therapy  

When it comes to pressure point therapy, reflexology must be the most popular one. Reflexology is a practice of applying pressure to specific body points on the hands and the feet. It promotes relaxation and has the ability to improve one's overall health.  

The power behind reflexology is the idea that the foot and the palm of a person are connected to the glands, organs, and the systems of the body. The thumbs and fingers of the practitioner press the certain points. Doing so are regarded to encourage the healthy functions of the body. 

The root of reflexology is not specifically determined, but it is believed that the early Chinese, Indian, and Egyptian practice it. One of these people are said to have started the field, as it is known today. 

But it was William H. Fitzgerald that had modernized reflexology. It was in 1900 that he introduced zone therapy, an evolution of reflexology. He was an American physician specializing in ear, throat, and nose. In his studies, he had found out that pressing certain areas of the foot and the hands could benefit the health of the body in general. 

By 1930, his colleague Eunice Ingham had proposed that the foot is better to work on rather than the hands. Ingham is a physical therapist and she continued to draw maps of the feet showing its correlation to the other parts of the body.  

In her study, she had found that the toes are related to the head and the neck. The ball of the feet, on the other hand, corresponds to the lungs, chest, and the heart. In general, the left foot corresponds to the body's right side and the right is to the body's left side.  

It is also believed that reflexology follows the same concept as the Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine regards the body to be filled with energy. Now when the flow of that energy is blocked, diseases will follow.  

In the research conducted for reflexology, it is found out that there are 7,000 neurons and nerve endings are found in the foot. If the nervous system is the brain of the computer, the foot serves as the keyboard. Pressing the several points on the foot are regarded to unblock the body's energy and enhance its flow on the different parts.  

Reflexology is very similar to the theory followed by acupressure and acupuncture. The only difference is that the other two involves the rest of the body parts. Reflexology, on the other hand, focuses more on the feet and hands alone.  

As one presses the foot and the hand the right way, the chemicals monoamines and endorphins are released. These are the body's natural defense against pain. These compounds work to relieve stress on the body. And even the current day medicine agrees to this concept. 

Before a reflexology session starts, a small conversation has to be initiated first. The practitioner may need to know the patient's lifestyle and general health condition. They also have to be informed of any current and previous sickness. 

During the actual session, your shoes have to be removed and will be asked to sit in a reclined chair. A lying down position is also acceptable. The reflexologist would then proceed to educate you on the important points of the foot.  

The session starts with the rubbing of the foot. This is to warm-up the feet for the rest of the session. Areas of the feet that feel sensitive and taut are telltale signs that its particular body part is suffering from energy blocks.  

The practitioner will further determine what other body parts need attention. Then he will center on these areas. The whole session may last anywhere from 30 minutes to as long as an hour.  

To fully maximize the reflexology's health benefits, a session has to be scheduled weekly. Try to know the specific points the practitioner focuses on. So the next time, you can conduct the sessions yourself.  

Reflexology is a good alternative medicine. But it should never be used to replace a doctor's prescribed series of medications. Reflexology is going to be helpful in speeding up the healing process. If you haven't tried it yet, do so now. Experience its natural benefits.  

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