What is Reflexology?

Reflexology helps relieve stress, which in turn provides many benefits for the body. This includes helping ease pain and tension and restoring balance to the body for overall health and wellbeing. Some studies show that it may even be more effective at relieving pain than aromatherapy and body massage. Because it doesn't require being touched all over your body, it's an excellent alternative for those who are uncomfortable with traditional massage. It can even be used to complement other treatments, including cardiovascular issues, asthma, diabetes, cancer treatment, anxiety, headaches, and more.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is the procedure of applying pressure to specific reflex points on the hands, feet, or ears. By activating these points, the therapist can also identify and eliminate areas of energy blockage, which may be the underlying cause of pain, stiffness, and disease. For instance, by stimulating the therapy zones in the ball of the feet, the therapist can alleviate symptoms related to the chest and heart.

Practitioners of reflexology believe that these specific pressure areas in the body relate to the body's organs and systems, which when stimulated through pressure, encourage proper energy and nutrient flow to the organs and systems to stimulate natural healing and support overall health. Reflexology has been used for centuries, beginning with the ancient Egyptians and Chinese, as an effective method of therapy to address the adverse effects of various ailments. However, it has since been researched and expanded to include additional therapy zones on the ears and hands, also known as modern reflexology.

Today, reflexology and all its principles are used as a safe and effective way to alleviate symptoms of various imbalances, including pain and stress, arthritis, migraines and tension headaches, hormonal imbalances, sports injuries, back pain, and digestive disorders. It is even used to help alleviate cancer pain, surgery-related pain, and as post-operative care.

What a Massage Therapist Does During a Session

During the initial visit, the massage therapist will learn about your health history as well as your current lifestyle, and then use your personal information to develop an individualized therapy. The therapist will also take this time to explain how reflexology works.

The therapist will then have you get relaxed by having you take off your shoes and socks and then lie comfortably on a massage table, or they may have you sit in a reclining seat. To pinpoint areas of concern, the therapist will then analyze the feet by stimulating various points to check for tension or pain in the body.

The therapist may first heat your hands and feet using a combination of massage and rapid movements followed by applying pressure with their thumb or finger to perform reflexology. Sometimes tools, such as brushes, dowels, and balls are also used to perform reflexology. Your therapist might also use lotion or oil during your session.

A typical therapy session typically lasts anywhere from a half hour to an hour, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Over time, stress and pain can take a toll on your body, which can cause you to not perform at your peak. It can also put a damper on your mood and make you miss out on many of life's important moments and events. So, if you suffer from chronic stress or pain due to a busy lifestyle, illness, or certain injuries, consider reflexology as a natural way to help alleviate symptoms and help improve your quality of life.

Eugene Wood is a Licensed Massage Therapist located in Nassau County NY. Learn more about advanced massage therapy by visiting his website.