Full Article

What Reflexology Can Do for You

What can reflexology do for you? Many people uneducated in the science and benefits of reflexology think of it as a foot or hand massage. This is a very basic interpretation of reflexology. Pressure is applied to the hands and feet as in a massage, but the pressure and accompanying stretching movements combine to trigger reactions in body parts that correspond to a spot on the hand or foot. There are literally hundreds of studies that show that reflexology works. One study on cancer patients showed that 100% of those who participated had a better overall quality of life after being reflexology treatments.

What is the Science Behind Reflexology?

Reflexology is based on defined network of zones and reflex areas on the hands and feet that are believed to be a mirror image of the body, reflecting different organs, glands, and other body parts. The concept goes further in that it is believed that applying pressure and stretching techniques to these areas can end patterns of stress and pain in these parallel body parts.

Reflexology utilizes a specific chart of the hands and feet as a map for the body. Logically, the left hand and foot represent the left half of the body and the right hand and foot, the right half. Some of the other "map" points are:

• The reflex area for the spine travels down the inside of the feet and the hands.
• The outside of the feet and hands represent the reflex areas for the arm and shoulder.
• The head is represented by the tips of the toes.
• The pressure point for the heart and chest are near the balls of the feet.
• Organs like the liver, pancreas, and kidney are attached to the arch of the foot.
• The lower back and intestines and connected to the heel.

The reflexology chart of the foot alone contains dozens of pressure points that represent body parts.

What Reflexology Can Do for You 

Reflexology is beneficial because stress on certain body parts is reduced. The level of tension in the body is set by the feet and hands.

The pressure applied during a reflexology treatment sends signals through the nervous system into the brain for processing. The brain passes these signals on to the internal organs and chemicals like endorphins are released that help to reduce pain and stress.

Reflexology is used for:

• Pain reduction (including post-operative)
• Stopping fatigue
• Rejuvenating tired feet
• Overall enhancement of medical care (as noted in the cancer study mentioned earlier)
• And to care for depression, anxiety, and stress.

These are just a few of the benefits of reflexology.

After reflexology, people generally feel relaxed and often sleepy. Very rarely it can cause feelings of nausea and anxiousness. This is temporary and is actually considered part of the process of healing.