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One afternoon, I was at
my friend's home visiting her and her newborn son,
Jackson. She was excited and anxious about being a new
mom and concerned about a skin reaction he was having,
which she believed was from the laundry detergent she
was using. As I peered into the bundle of blankets, I
saw a cute but pink-dotted little baby. I took his tiny,
two-day-old foot between my fingers and rolled my thumb
gently on the bottom of his sole. I then took my fingers
and held what I like to refer to as the "Spock Point" at
the tip of his ears to counter allergic reactions. To
both my friend's, my, and surely Jackson's delight, we
watched his little pink dots completely disappear from
his skin. What Jackson experienced was his first
reflexology session.
You don't need to be a polka dotted infant to reap the
benefits of reflexology. Whether you are young or old,
in good health or weathering the effects of stress,
trauma or disease, reflexology can benefit almost
everyone. It can assist people dealing with issues
ranging from chronic stress and pains to digestive
disorders and hormonal imbalances. In addition,
reflexology is a safe, natural and non-intrusive form of
therapy that can be learned easily and self applied
whenever needed. Besides that, it feels great!
So what exactly is reflexology?
For thousands of years the feet, hands and ears have
been used to facilitate healing. Within the last
century, reflexology has been redefined into what we
recognize it as today. It is based on the premise that
the human body is completely reflected, as reflex maps,
on the feet, hands and outer ears. In essence, these
areas serve as a mirror to our state of health, as well
as to adjust the body's natural processes,
physiologically and psychologically, to help us regain
and maintain a normal equilibrium and sense of health
and well being. In practice, if a client complains of
neck pain, the points relating to the neck, or "neck
reflexes," would be stimulated. These areas would
include the base of the toes and fingers and the lower
part of the helix and antihelix on the ears. With all
holistic work, the entire body reflexes are always
included in a session, as the body system works as a
whole entity in harmony.
What can reflexology do?
People seek reflexology for a wide range of issues
including stress and tension, aches and pains, digestive
disorders, hormonal imbalances, infertility, certain
types of paralysis, repetitive stress symptoms, injuries
and much more. It has a balancing effect that helps to
calm what is overactive and stimulate that which is
underactive, giving a feeling of overall wellness while
enhancing current health issues.
I've worked with several women regarding infertility
issues, and am happy to say many of them are now proud
mothers. One client came in to find relief from her
excruciating migraines she received like clockwork two
days before her menstrual cycle, every month for five
years. After her first session, the headaches were gone.
With routine visits, she is able to keep them away.
Another client was able to quit taking his pain medicine
for his back. I've seen a few a clients gain improvement
from certain types of paralysis, and countless clients
have found relief from their aches, pains and tension.
It is important to remember that every body is unique.
The results people receive vary as much as their
individual constitutions do. I have no doubt that the
people I have worked with who have had such positive
results are individuals who have healed themselves.
Reflexology facilitates them in their healing process. I
believe a person's health cannot improve until they have
the desire to change and believe that their health can
improve. For some, who have chronic ailments that
accumulated in their bodies over a long period of time,
it may take longer to restore balance.
How does reflexology work?
As a holistic therapy, reflexology is theorized to work
on many levels as it affects the biomechanics of the
foot structure, neural circuitry, vascular circulation,
holographic microsystems, the meridian system, emotional
networks and much more. Let's take a look at a few of
these in more depth.
Structurally, reflexology directly works on the
biomechanics of the feet. If any part of the foot
structure deviates from normalcy, postural integrity of
the body is compromised; which affects not only the
skeletal structure, but the inner organ systems as well.
By relaxing the tissues of the feet, reflexology enables
the body to have a solid foundation that can promote
good posture and overall health.
Within the circuitry of the body, reflexology is
believed to aid in unblocking congested nerve endings.
The extremities of the body -- being the feet, hands and
ears -- have a rich supply of nerve endings. Stress,
tension, chemical imbalances, injuries or an acidic pH
can cause the nerve endings to become clogged and
congested. By palpating these areas with a reflexology
technique, the nerves are stimulated, congestion
disperses and circulation (both neural and vascular)
improves. This brings both increased vitality and health
to the reflex area, the corresponding body area and the
entire body as a whole.
On a more subtle level, as Eastern thought theorizes,
when the foot is being palpated, or reflexed,
acupressure points are being stimulated, affecting the
body through meridian pathways. There are over seventy
five acupressure points found on the feet and hands
alone, not to mention the hundreds of auricular
microsystem points found on the ears. While reflexology
differs from acupressure with its mapping of points,
they both overlap and integrate with one another well.
The results of reflexology have also been attributed to
the theories of laying on of hands and the emotional
power of touch, the power of love, the healing effects
of rest and even the placebo effect. Although there is
not one definitive explanation of how reflexology works,
the answer most likely rests in the combination of many.
Why choose reflexology?
Reflexology, in most cases, brings about a deep
relaxation. This in itself reduces the stress that
creates many of our ailments today. It is safe,
therapeutic and feels wonderful. Don't be fooled by the
myth that it must be painful to benefit you. I have
clients that rave about how pampered they feel during a
session. Reflexology is also non-intrusive. If you don't
like to disrobe, don't like needles, don't like to take
medicines or remedies, don't worry! Reflexology only
requires that you expose your feet, hands and ears.
The main reason for choosing reflexology, however,
should be for its health benefits. Reflexology is
beneficial in both gaining and maintaining a healthier
constitution. It works the body on a deep level,
affecting the organs and body systems as well as the
outer structures promoting a sense of balance, health
and well being.
What to expect during a session
A reflexology session usually begins with a brief intake
of a your health background and current issues. Before
the session starts, shoes and socks are removed and you
are either seated in a reclining chair or asked to lie
on a reflexology table (usually pillows and blankets are
offered for comfort). At that point, an initial scan of
the reflexes are viewed and the reflexologist begins to
palpate your feet and hands. As a general rule, only the
practitioner's hands will give the pressure to the
reflexes. Pressure should be deep enough so that your
tissues are thoroughly worked, but gentle enough to keep
you comfortable and relaxed. Relaxation is the key here,
without it our body cannot heal. The ear points are
worked with lighter pressure, and in most cases, points
are held as well as palpated. Some sessions utilize a
combination of the feet, hands and ears, while others
are a lesser combination of the three according to the
practitioner's experience and your current needs.
After the session, you will most likely feel very
relaxed and possibly sleepy. However sometimes clients
leave feeling instantly energized. It really depends on
your body's constitution and overall health needs. Give
yourself some time to rest. As reflexology stimulates
your entire body, it is important to drink plenty of
water following the session to flush out any impurities
and to re-hydrate your body.
It is hard not to enjoy the day or evening after a good
reflexology session. A client once told me, "there is
nothing more heavenly than having my feet rubbed." So
whether you go to a reflexologist, share a foot rub on
the couch with your sweetheart, or work your own feet
routinely you are benefiting from the wellness
reflexology can bring.
© Laura Lee Ostrowski, 2004. All Rights Reserved.
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