What Reflexology is about
- FEET FACTs:
- Each foot has
- 26 bones and 33 joints
- A network of more than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments
- The heel bone is the largest of the bones in the foot
- There are: over 7,000 nerve endings in each foot
- 250,000 sweat glands and when active,
- eet can produce over 100grs of perspiration a day, sometimes more.
- When these are out of alignment, so is the rest of the body!
Reflexology has evolved over centuries and new discoveries how our bodies work, what finely tuned machines they are and how important a balanced system is to our health, mentally and physically.
Today Reflexology is taught and practiced as a non-evasive complementary health therapy to promote deep relaxation, homeostasis and well-being.
Reflexology is not just a foot massage, although this is where most of our nerve endings sit and is therefore the most effective massage therapy when it comes to to maintaining a good balance, it also applies to the hands and ears.
Reflexology is also known as ‘Zone Therapy’, following clearly delineated lateral 'Zones' on the feet and hands, soles/palms, dorsal, medial and lateral zones and based on the theory that different points of the feet, lower legs, hands, face or ears correspond with different areas of the body. Sometimes there will be lots of tender areas coming up but generally speaking, Reflexology is super pleasant and induces a sense of relaxation and well-being.
Reflexologists work on ensuring the body’s balance is restored and maintained. Treatment is holistic and tailored to each individual’s needs, taking the whole person into account, the physical as well as the non-physical sides. The aim is to achieve the body’s balance, to reduce tension, relieve stress, anxiety and other conditions that cause an imbalance and blocked energy channels.
The experience is individual and not everyone responds to the treatment. But with increasing stress levels in our lives and a faster pace, Reflexology is one way to bring back calm and well-being of the person as a whole.
For example, if we imagine the big toe represents our Head and Brain, we are able to stimulate certain reflexes, such as the Hypothalamus, the Pineal and the Pituitary glands, simply by using pressing and circular movement around the top of the big toe. This will help to clear the mind and helps with pain relief.
Working on the middle of the foot will stimulate the solar plexus, which encourages deep breathing, promoting a feeling of content and restoring clarity and focus.
Just below the Solar Plexus is the reflex for the Adrenal glands. By working the Adrenal glands we manipulate Cortisol and Adrenalin levels. Cortisol and Adrenalin are hormones that control fight and flight responses which emerge during stressful situations, for example job interviews, tests and exams, arguments, conflicts etc. There are additional hormones, such as Aldosterone which regulates blood pressure and Noradrenaline/Norepinephrine which is responsible for an increased heart rate down and blood pumping from the heart during a fight or flight response, all regulated by our Sympathetic System. There is a lot of power in the adrenal glands and an imbalance in these glands result in stress, nervousness and anxiety. Reflexology has a calming effect and opens the channels from blocked energy.
It’s commonly accepted that reflexology can reduce pain and stress while improving the mood of the person receiving the massage. Clients have credited the technique with boosting their immunity, improving digestion, easing spinal pain and arthritis or recovering from colds and infections.
Endocrine Hormone Balancing reflexology is said to boost fertility, clears up sinus problems and helps women experiencing menopause with weight gain, night sweats and mood swings.
Other improvements include general body functions such as blood circulation, brain power, metabolism, nerve function and the elimination of toxins.
Medical experts claim that the way the nerves are stimulated during reflexology can prompt the body into healing itself. This is because the treatment stimulates circulation, while sending a clear message to the central nervous system that acts like something of a wake-up call. Reflexology is basically a study of how one part of the body relates to another part of the body, using a map of hands, feet and ears. It works on the principle by applying pressure to certain parts, or reflex points on the hands or feet has a direct impact on the corresponding parts in the body.
Six Methods of Reflexology
Standard Reflexology Zone Therapy or Ingham Method
Vertical Reflex Therapy (VRT)
Meridian Reflex Therapy
5 Elements Reflexology
The Morell Technique
HAND REFLEXOLOGY
Hand Reflexology works systematically across a number of reflex points in the hand. It is relaxing and gives relief to overworked hands and is suitable for those with busy lives.
Zone Therapy or ‘Ingham Method’
First practiced in the UK in 1930. This method is the most popular method used today and focuses on stimulating areas of the body where nerve endings are bundled. These bundles are most prominent in the hands, feet and ears. The principle of the Ingham method works on applying pressure using thumbs and fingers and a range of techniques to stimulate nerves, improve blood supply and circulation, loosen knots and blockages and reduce stress, anxiety, tension and depression. The idea is that by pressing certain reflex points at the bottom of the feet, on the hands or on or around the ear, reflexologists can stimulate the nervous system, determine the root cause of pain and relieve tension. The extend of pressure is adjusted based on each patient’s tolerance or pressure sensation. There are no known side-effects.
Vertical Reflex Therapy (VRT)
This is a fairly new method of reflexology. It was first developed by Lynne Booth in the early 1990’s. VRT is ideally incorporated into a classical reflexology treatment at the beginning and the end of a session. It is applied to the weight-bearing feet or hands for a few minutes before a conventional reflexology treatment. The client is in an upright position, e.g. standing up in a weight-bearing position while the reflexologist applies pressure to the reflex points on the dorsal side of the foot. It is mostly used for small children, as part of a palliative care and older people, for sports injuries and in the workplace. The anatomical explanation for VRT’s effectiveness is that the nerves on the passive feet are naturally de-sensitised but, when weight-bearing, these nerves become sensitised and appear to send a stronger healing impulse to an organ, gland, muscle or vertebrae.
Meridian Reflex Therapy
The Meridian Therapy goes back 3000 years and was first practiced by the Chinese. The principles of MRT are based on a network of energy channels - or electric pathways - covering the body that are similar to the zones traditionally known in Reflexology. There are 12 major Meridians, each passing through the one side of the body and having a mirror image on the other side. A basic understanding of the Meridians can help a Reflexologist understand the disease pathways and assist them in pinpointing problem areas. The electric energy running through these meridians is known as Chi (Prana in Indian Ayurveda). This energy is derived from the food we eat the air we breathe, and is considered to be the root of life or life’s energy force that nourishes body and mind. A healthy diet, exercise, healthy breathing, good posture and limited stress will maximise Chi and ensure a healthy individual. When meridians are running on a low current, evidence will be felt in the form of congestions or blocked channels along the pathways. These congestions are many of the diagnostic conditions that most people suffer from, such as sinus problems, constipation and headaches. These are in fact one and the same problem, toxic molecules sticking together and obstructing the energy flow along the meridians.
The Five Elements Philosophy
Again, ancient Chinese Philosophy established the five basic elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood found in the universe and consequently in man. Each of the Five Elements is associated with a variety of factors, for example; body organs, sense organs, body tissue, colours, seasons, climate and emotions. Any extreme reactions to any of these factors can indicate an imbalance in the related element. This in turn can be related to the respective meridians and be used as an additional assessment tool. A quick example; a patient presenting warning symptoms along the Spleen/Pancreas Meridian, are shown as nail disorders, bunions, knee pains, varicose veins, uterus congestions, prostate problems, hernias in groin region.
Colon and digestive problems, or abdominal pains might also express imbalances within the Earth Element. This could show up as congestions relating to the fatty connective tissues and the patient might have a weight problem, or psychologically be a “needy” person constantly looking for sympathy. This type of patient would often present a blood-sugar imbalance and present addictive behaviours in controlling the need for stimulants, such as cigarettes, alcohol, sweets and simple carbohydrates.
Combining the Chinese philosophies of Meridian Theory and The Five Elements into the science of Reflexology explains why sometimes organ reflexes are very sensitive, even though the patient’s case study does not relate to these organs, or vice versa, why some reflexes are not sensitive although it would have been expected. The answers will prevail, resulting in a better outcome for the therapist and most importantly, the patient.
