What exactly is Reflexology Anyway?
It can be easy to confuse foot massage with Reflexology which is a holistic therapy that makes a direct link between care of the foot and the health of other parts of the body. Simply put, specific 'reflex' points on the foot are directly connected by channels to the limbs, muscles and vital organs in the rest of the body.
In general terms, pressure points on the left foot align with the left side of the body and those on the right foot align with the right side of the body.
Reflexologists provide both diagnostic and remedial treatments. By touching the different reflex points on the feet they may be able to identify an ailment elsewhere - say, for instance, in the eye. Conversely, if a patient should already be aware of an existing eye problem, the Reflexologist may be able to alleviate the problem by applying light finger pressure to the corresponding part of the foot.
In layman's terms, the art or science of Reflexology is based on balancing the energy (sometimes referred to as chi) which flows through the channels that connect reflex points on the feet to the corresponding parts of the body. This is done by identifying imbalances on the foot and then using gently thumb & finger pressure on the area. This releases any blockages and improves the flow of energy and blood to the affected part of the body.
The technique has obvious similarities with Acupressure and, indeed, the origins of Reflexology can be traced back to Ancient Egypt and to Thai, Indian and Chinese medical cultures of some 2,000 years ago. Reflexology in western terms was born in the 1930s and, like professional foot massage, is now widely available at health clubs, spas and via private qualified practitioners.
If you go to a Reflexologist, don't expect a vigorous foot rub. Both the diagnostic and remedial aspects of the therapy can be extremely gentle in terms of touch. You might also experience side effects such as a desire to laugh or cry, sleepiness, tingling of the flesh or slight nausea. Side effects depend on your health and usually only last for the first 24-48 hours.
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