I love going for my reflexology treatment each week, but colleagues often ask what is reflexology good for? I know that they think it's just an excuse for nothing more than a relaxing massage and a chat with my therapist. But, I know it's much more than that. OMG! When will male dominated mainstream medicine ever wake up to his wonderful health giving therapy. That's what I'm thinking.
Read-on for my summary of what it really is good for. And, no. It's not just a women's feelgood thing.
What is Reflexology
It's is a method performed by a specialist which includes concentrating on specific pressure points found on the feet and hands with the purpose of treating certain symptoms. This method appears safe enough, as the worst case situation is a soothing massage. Still it's wise counsel to check that the specialist is certified by the association of reflexology. There are reflexology shoe inserts available that claim to have the exact same result as that produced by a expert.
History of Reflexology
Edwin boring wrote in his book, a history of experimental psychology, that Russian Psychologist v.
M. Bekterev (1857-1927) used the term objective psychology to designate his work but later in 1917 he coined the name reflexology to explain his work in the field of psychology.
It is recommended that you discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor. A short disclaimer and medical history is necessary prior to the commencement of pregnancy reflexology treatments.
Practices resembling it may have existed in previous historical periods. Similar practices have been documented in the histories of China and Egypt.
Reflexology Health
What is Reflexology Good for 1. Promoting Good Health
Here we discuss a very useful reflexology benefit for women, who keep getting colds and other minor illnesses.
In addition, itis considered a perfectly safe complementary therapy during pregnancy. As long as you are healthy, there are no problems with your pregnancy and you have discussed having the treatment with your midwife.
Reflexology zones are located in the feet, hands, teeth, ears, and tongue. Following these simple techniques is super relaxing and may even offer additional health benefits.
This controlled pressure alleviates the source of the discomfort. In the absence of any particular malady or abnormality, it may be as effective for promoting good health and for preventing illness as it may be for relieving symptoms of stress , injury, and illness.
Reflexology Well Being
It's is the practice of massaging and working with these reflex points to help improve blood circulation, reduce stress and help balance the body.
Some energy therapies include acupressure, acupuncture, reflexology, reiki and meditation. Acupressure is the art of utilising pressure points that are located all over the body. Acupuncture has many health benefits including pain relief and helping people to stop smoking.
It's a therapy that uses finger pressure on various points of the body to help it heal or to remove pain and discomfort.
Maternity Reflexology
Maternity reflexology is a type of this special massage technique that specifically offers care to women at the pre-conception stage by helping the body be as optimally ready to conceive, as well as providing support through pregnancy and all the changes the body goes through, to birthing and postnatal care.
It is a wonderful therapy to have on a regular basis during pregnancy. Some research has shown that regular treatments of the massage during pregnancy can shorten the duration of labour with women often requiring less pain-relief during the course of delivery.
It can also be helpful in a woman’s later life also as it can help with menopause symptoms such as mood swings, disrupted sleep and hot flushes.
It is said that maternity reflexology can also help with the following in pregnancy:.
- Constipation;
- Co-ordination and acceleration of regular contractions;
- Preventing a retained placenta;.
Applying Reflexology
With repeated practice of applying pressure and manipulating nerve endings, reflexology can help to clear any blocked channels by increasing circulation, bringing new nutrients to the tissue and calming nerve impulses to improve overall health and balance.
It's use in pregnancy is a very gentle, relaxing yet powerful treatment with excellent results. Reflexology in general is an extremely relaxing treatment, applying gentle pressure to the feet which in turn stimulate, relaxes or balances the bodily systems depending on what is needed at that particular time.
Now, wait a minute! Massage for hands and feet is fairly easy to accept as beneficial. They do a lot of work. But ears? A practitioner believes that ear areas also correspond to various organs and systems throughout the body. So, applying pressure to certain areas on the hands, feet, and ears will affect the organs to the benefit of your health.
The Process During Labour
The most valuable thing in reflexology for labour is calming the mother so she feels relaxed. The treatment will help to improve and stimulate several conditions that occur during the process and as a consequence, help the mother to better administrate her energies towards this task.
If you have been having this form of treatment all the way through your pregnancy, the process of inducing labour might be easier.
The idea behind it is that all the body's organs, glands, and main joints are reflected in the feet and that applying pressure to specific points on the feet can stimulate the body's natural healing processes.
Foot
Reflexology is a unique method of using the thumb and fingers to stimulate more than 7,200 nerve endings in each foot.
The classic massage is a massage with a direct effect. TA foot massage has using the technique has a reflective effect, while a massage method known as Thai massage can be both direct and indirect.
Hand
Reflexology utilizes finger and thumb techniques on the feet and hands to promote deep relaxation, clarity of mind, and a sense of well-being.
Some healing modalities, such as this are wholly based on the law of correspondence with a map of the body being reflected in the hands and feet.
It is the application of pressure on reflexes in the feet, hands and ears, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. It uses reflexes that are in an orderly arrangement resembling a shape of the human body on the feet, hands, and outer ears, using unique micro-movement techniques such as thumb or finger walking, and hook to create a response throughout the body.
Thai Hand Reflexology
A Thai massage stick is a small wooden tool or accessory for giving clients foot and hand massages.
Advanced Certification
My practitioner has an advanced certificate in the method which can be applied for pregnancy clients.
Practitioners
The American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB) has a three-part examination process to ensure the practitioner has met the standards set by the board. Always check for practitioners who ARCB qualified.
According to the many practitioners, the method is a simple, non-invasive method to help balance the body. It has been described as a natural therapy that requires the application of a specific type of pressure on particular areas of the feet, hands, and sometimes also ears.
To avoid doubt, many practitioners invite Mums-to-be to get back in touch once the pregnancy is established. However, there are reflexologists who are experienced or who specialise in maternity reflexology and they may be able, so do talk to them.
Practitioners believe that a properly executed foot massage works thousands of nerve endings that correspond to various body parts and organs of the body.
Thanks for assistance from Scotland Holistic Glasgow during the preparation of this article.
