Reflexology

Reflexology is a holistic therapy complementary to conventional medicine and completely drug free, which helps to balance the body and stimulate the body's own natural healing abilities. The treatment involves gentle pressure point massage to the reflex areas on the feet which correspond with the various parts of the body. Consequently not only symptoms but also their causes receive treatment.

Although there is scriptural evidence to suggest that reflexology was being practised as far back as ancient Egypt, the science of reflexology used today was founded by Dr William Fitzgerald, an American ear nose and throat surgeon. Fitzgerald claimed that applying gentle pressure to specific areas on the hands and feet could trigger health benefits in corresponding "zones" of the body.

In the 1930s, Eunice Ingham, a physical therapist and a colleague of Fitzgerald, took the therapy, further postulating that working on just the feet (not the hands) was the best way to affect the health of the rest of the body. She observed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrored congestion or tension in a related part of the body. Therefore, treating the areas of the feet could have a relaxing and healing effect on different organs and tissues inside the body.

How Does It Work?

Exactly how reflexology works remains unclear, although several possible explanations have been put forward. It is generally understood that reflexology works on subtle energy channels in the body similar to the acupuncture miridian pathways. these vital energy pathways are blocked by illness, stress, congestion, injury, and toxicity. The nervous system provides a "keyboard" to access, control, and release the subtle energy patterns.It is thought that stimulating some of the more than 7,000 nerve endings on the foot can unblock and increase the flow of this vital energy to various parts of the body and thus promote healing.

Sometimes lactic acid can be felt in the foot in the form of little crystals. This is a sediment due to poor eating or lack of exercise and can be crushed and reabsorbed into the body thereby allowing the lymph system to eliminate the waste product.

Reflexology helps maintain good health and here are just a few examples of conditions Reflexology might help:

• Angina
• Asthma
• Circulatory imbalances
• Depression
• Emotional Worries
• Infertility
• Menstrual Problems
• Migraine
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Stress (the most common complaint which affects all of us at some time)
• Terminal Illnesses
• Arthritis (Osteo and Rheumatoid)
• Back Pain
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Digestive Disorder
• Hiatus Hernia
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Sinusitis

What to Expect in a Typical Reflexology Session

• Most sessions last about an hour


• You may need to fill out a health history on your first appointment


• Some Reflexologists devote full time to the feet; others combine hands, feet and even ears


• You will remove shoes and socks


• A short foot/hand inspection may take place


• You will either lie comfortably on a massage table OR on a Reflexology lounge-type chair with feet elevated


• Sometimes essential oils, lotions or creams are used; not always


• There might be a whirlpool foot soak, paraffin dip, heating pad or other specialty treatments, depending on the practitioner


• The practitioner makes every effort to work within the pain tolerance of the individual


• Afterwards, a relaxed state is generally felt


• Water intake should be increased post session to increase detoxification

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