Use reflexology to relieve stress and tension

Imagine lying back in a comfortable reclining chair or therapy couch, there is soft relaxing background music. The room is warm and tranquil. Your shoes and socks have been set aside. You are relaxed. A pillow or towel is tucked under your knees. The bare soles of your feet are just at the edge of the recliner or couch. Two hands firmly grasp your right foot and begin kneading it, loosening each toe and relaxing the foot’s many muscles, tendons, bones and ligaments, and stimulating over 7,000 nerve endings. Relaxing even more, you close your eyes. The reflexologist’s thumb systematically probes the inner sole of the foot, crossing the ball of the foot, up to the toes, covering every inch, including the ankle. Your left foot is then relaxed in precisely the same manner.

From ancient illustrations and artefacts we know the early Chinese, Japanese and Egyptians worked on the feet and hands to promote better health. Reflexology, as it’s known today, is a science and healing art based upon the theory that there are reflex areas, or specific points, in the feet and hands that correspond to all the glands and organs in the body. The term “reflex” refers to the fact that these points are responsive to stimulus. Corresponding reflexes are located in the hands.

Due to stress, illness, or inactivity, muscles in our bodies weaken; the muscle tissue in our feet give way and excessive pressure is exerted on nerve endings. As a result of these stresses, our bloodstream becomes congested, lacking in its oxygen-rich nutrients. Without the full cleansing power of the blood supply, waste matter collects in the feet, forming crystal-like deposits. The feet are “worked” to break down these deposits, which build up around the reflexes and nerve endings in the feet. The only tools used are the thumb and fingers on the reflex points. Reflexology improves circulation, increases energy levels, and helps the body achieve homeostasis or balance.

The philosophy of reflexology is often misinterpreted to be the same as massage. Reflexology is not massage, nor is it a replacement for modern medicine. Reflexology is based on theories that nerve pathways exist throughout the body. When any of these pathways become blocked, the body experiences levels of discomfort. Reflexology may assist in reviving one’s energy flow and bringing the body back in to homeostasis, a state of balance.

People are often amazed by the simplicity of reflexology and baffled by the results of applying precise pressure to the reflexes in the feet and hands.

Allergies	Headaches	Sinus problems	Asthma	Carpal tunnel synd
Constipation	Diahorea	Menstrual problems	Backaches	Arthritis
Anaemia	Angina	Bronchitis	Colitis	Irritable Bowel
Diabetes	Eczema	Emphysema	Fibroids	Gallstones
Gout	Hay fever	High blood pressure	Hernias	Impotence
Indigestion	Infertility	Mastitis	Migraine	Oedema
Psoriasis	Low energy	Prostate problems

It is important to note that reflexology is not meant to take the place of modern medicine, but rather to complement it.

A professional reflexologist never diagnoses, prescribes or claims a cure for anything.

In general a course of Reflexology will involve between six to ten treatments depending on the severity of the problem and how long the problem has been present.