Reflexology…Fancy Enough?

Reflexology is a therapeutic practice wherein the application of pressure on feet or hands is used to deal with various ailments. It helps people relax and alleviate stress. It uses a foot chart to guide the reflexologist as they stimulate the predefined pressure points.

What’s the idea behind this?

It is believed that these reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and applying pressure to them produces benefits for the person’s health. Reflexologists reckon that the pressure applied to the foot provokes relaxation and treats the complementary area of the body.

A theory that explains how reflexology produces pain relief is the neuromatrix theory of pain. This theory proposes that the awareness of pain does not result from the brain’s registration of injury, but from its presentation of emotional ordeals through a system of neurons termed the neuromatrix. The brain performs this as a reaction to the receptive experience of injury, but it also functions unassisted by sensory input and establishes pain in response to cognitive aspects. Hence elements that impact the brain, such as stress and anxiety can also influence your experience of pain. As per this concept Reflexology may reduce pain by reducing stress and improving mood. However, this is criticized and not widely accepted.

How’s It Any Different From Massage?

It is often confused with other treatments like massage and acupuncture. However, some distinctions are essential enough to categorize them as varied treatments.

Massage constitutes applying pressure to the majority of the soft tissues, to exterminate external pain mainly. Nevertheless, it doesn’t work the same way with reflexology. In this treatment, pressure is applied on specified points, which makes it all the different.

While acupuncture and acupressure, like reflexology, use reflex points on the body to impact various parts of the body, the points used are, however, different. Unlike reflexology, acupuncture doesn’t use points only on the feet and hands, it uses points throughout the body.

History of Reflexology

Many different theories explain this method of treatment. It is believed to originate from Egypt. However, studies suggest that it originated from China.

It is, however, historically unclear.

According to Chinese Philosophy, Qi (pronounced as chi) is the force that connects everything in the universe.

It is translated as vital energy. Qi flows through every individual. When someone experiences stress, their body fences the flow of Qi. This is believed to result in an imbalance in the body that leads to various ailments. Reflexology is expected to keep the flow of Qi continuous through the body, without any disruption, to keep stabilized and healthy.

Should You Get This Therapeutic Treatment?

Reflexology is widely used by people to treat their health issues as it proposes insurance and significance. It also delivers natural healing without consuming any medications. People can apply it without any hesitation. Its cogency in dealing with the root of some conditions helps treat health concerns such as easing day-to-day anxieties and appeasing the effects of ailments. However, it is not useful for diagnosis.

Stress is an approved explanation for the initiation of any illness. Reflexology presents widespread benefits and reducing stress is one of them. Applying pressure to the specific area at the feet and hands evokes relief while softening the targeted area simultaneously. It is one of the ways to hinder the routine of redundant stress that people have due to their lifestyle.

Book your reflexology session if you deal with stress and have some sort of ailment you aren’t able to get cured.