Reflexology is a natural healing therapy in which the foot is the source of healing. Reflexology is based on the premise that your body’s organs, internal and external body parts are all connected to specific areas of the foot and hand. By applying pressure to these specific reflex areas on your foot and hand the corresponding organs, nerves or body parts will become stimulated. This stimulation allows your body’s organs and body parts to heal itself. There are many benefits of reflexology and the 5 most common benefits are: reflexology is noninvasive and can be performed by you on yourself. Reflexology reduces stress and tension. Reflexology stimulates circulation and helps the body to detoxify. Reflexology is great for pain relief especially from headaches. Lastly reflexology benefits your body by aiding your digestive system.
The benefits of reflexology are explained in detail below:
1. Reflexology’s aim to restore the body to its normal functioning involves no major expenses, no special equipment, no drugs and medication. And the results can be felt almost immediately. All you need is a reflexology chart and/or book to guide you find the correct reflex points on your foot or hand. There are online reflexology courses that will teach you how to do reflexology on yourself or on others. Though foot reflexology is much more popular, for DIY purposes the hand sometimes is much easier to work on. Reflexology socks or gloves can also be used for beginners. They are fairly inexpensive and they have all the pressure points are marked on them already.
2. Reflexology decreases the stress and tension in the body, by applying pressure to specific reflex areas of your foot. The main area the reflexologist works is the sinus, eyes, throat and head reflexes to reduce the tension.
3. With reflexology, your body relaxes and your blood and lymph circulation increases. Consequently the cells of the body get cleansed and nourished, and the organs and glands of the body are revitalized. Reflexology treatment on the liver and kidney reflexes encourages the elimination of toxins from the body.
4. Pain relief especially from headaches, is the most useful of benefits. Sinus headaches specifically benefit from reflexology treatments. There are some DIY hand reflexology treatments that are very effective for these headaches. One treatment involves using a golf ball or any ball that is similar in size and hardness, to provide pressure to specific reflex areas on the hand to provide relief from a headache.
5. Acid reflux, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, are just some of the digestive disorders that reflexology can help with. For specific problems as these you would get the most benefit by going to a qualified reflexologist for treatments. Initially a number of regular treatments would be required for you to get some relief and then you would only go for maintenance treatments.
As you have read reflexology can benefit the body in many ways. Only 5 of the top benefits have been explained. There are many other symptoms/problems that can benefit from reflexology. Reflexology is a therapeutic and preventative therapy that involves applying specific finger and thumb pressure techniques to the foot or hand reflexes in order to create an environment within the body that allows it to heal itself.
Take control of your health.Learn Reflexology at Home!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Foot Reflexology Techniques
Unlike a traditional foot massage which uses slow, gentle, gliding strokes over the foot, to provide a relaxing feeling. A reflexology practitioner uses very specific finger, thumb and hand pressure techniques to apply pressure on the reflexes of the foot. This stimulation of the organs promotes good health and induces healing within the body.
There are a combination of techniques used during a foot reflexology session. These techniques range from basic to more advanced methods of applying pressure to the foot. The following are some of the most commonly used techniques:
1. Effleurage- Is a basic stroking technique which is used in the beginning of a foot reflexology treatment. This technique is initially used with a little bit of oil to warm up the foot and relax the client. Effleurage is used also within the reflexology treatment and at the end of the reflexology treatment.
2. Thumbwalking- Is a reflexology technique that requires practice to perform it correctly. This technique is used through out the foot reflexology treatment.
3. Friction Circles- This reflexology technique involves using the fingertips and thumb. The fingertips make small circular on the top of the toes while the thumb works the sole of the foot. This technique is also used in all stages of the reflexology treatment, from the beginning to the end.
4. Spinal Twist- This is an advanced reflexology technique where the hands are placed on the spine of the foot and a wringing action is made. This technique can be used if the back area of the body needs treatment.
5. Lung Press- This reflexology technique is done by placing the fist over the lung area ( the soles) of the foot and then gently moving the foot toward the client and then back again.
6. Hook and Twist- This reflexology technique uses the thumb to apply pressure on the reflex area and then the thumb rubs across the reflex point.
These are just some of the many different techniques used in a foot reflexology treatment. Reflexology is one of the few alternative therapy’s that can be done on one’s own self or done on someone else’s foot as a treat.
Learn Reflexology at Home!
There are a combination of techniques used during a foot reflexology session. These techniques range from basic to more advanced methods of applying pressure to the foot. The following are some of the most commonly used techniques:
1. Effleurage- Is a basic stroking technique which is used in the beginning of a foot reflexology treatment. This technique is initially used with a little bit of oil to warm up the foot and relax the client. Effleurage is used also within the reflexology treatment and at the end of the reflexology treatment.
2. Thumbwalking- Is a reflexology technique that requires practice to perform it correctly. This technique is used through out the foot reflexology treatment.
3. Friction Circles- This reflexology technique involves using the fingertips and thumb. The fingertips make small circular on the top of the toes while the thumb works the sole of the foot. This technique is also used in all stages of the reflexology treatment, from the beginning to the end.
4. Spinal Twist- This is an advanced reflexology technique where the hands are placed on the spine of the foot and a wringing action is made. This technique can be used if the back area of the body needs treatment.
5. Lung Press- This reflexology technique is done by placing the fist over the lung area ( the soles) of the foot and then gently moving the foot toward the client and then back again.
6. Hook and Twist- This reflexology technique uses the thumb to apply pressure on the reflex area and then the thumb rubs across the reflex point.
These are just some of the many different techniques used in a foot reflexology treatment. Reflexology is one of the few alternative therapy’s that can be done on one’s own self or done on someone else’s foot as a treat.
Learn Reflexology at Home!
Reflexology- The Therapeutic Massage
Reflexology is and alternative health therapy, which involves massaging the foot, hand and sometimes the ears. The basis of reflexology is that the foot represent the whole body in miniature and that applying pressure to specific areas of the foot will improve the functioning of specific organs in the body and improves the general well being of an individual.
In reflexology the body is divided into longitudinal zones or meridians. Each zone or meridian runs from the head to the toes and fingers. The body’s energy, flows through these reflexology zones/ meridians and all the body parts and major organs that fall within each pathway are linked to each other and most importantly to the “reflex” area of the foot and hands. There are numerous reflexology foot and hand charts that show which parts of the feet/ hands are connected to which body parts and organs.. An example taken from the reflexology foot chart is that the tip of the toes on the foot represents the head and neck area - the ears, eyes, nose and throat. It is believed that disease is caused by blockages within these zones. Thus reflexology concentrates on using pressure techniques on the reflexes of the foot, hands and ears, in order to clear out any blockages, which in turn reduces stress and tension within the body. The overall effect of a reflexology treatment is to create a state of balance within the body, that allows the body to heal itself and be healed.
Reflexology treatments usually last between 40 minutes and an hour. Because reflexology is holistic in nature, the reflexologist will start the session by working on the entire foot and then target specific areas of the foot. Areas on the foot that require extra work are usually parts of the foot that feel tight and sensitive during the reflexology treatment.
Everyone from the very young to the old can benefit from reflexology. Reflexology provides pain relief, especially from migraines and sinus problems. Reflexology is also beneficial for digestive and circulatory problems. Reflexology increases the blood and lymph circulation through out the body, which creates an environment that allows the body to heal itself more effectively. Reflexology also stimulates the body to detoxify. Therefore some people may experience side effects from a reflexology treatment. Some people become very lethargic where as others may feel nauseous or get a headache. Patients are advised to drink lots of water after a reflexology treatment to help the kidneys flush out the toxins.
Reflexology is a holistic alternative therapy that is preventive and therapeutic in nature. It does this by applying pressure on the reflex areas of the foot and hands in order to create a state of balance and harmony in the body.
Learn Reflexology at Home!
In reflexology the body is divided into longitudinal zones or meridians. Each zone or meridian runs from the head to the toes and fingers. The body’s energy, flows through these reflexology zones/ meridians and all the body parts and major organs that fall within each pathway are linked to each other and most importantly to the “reflex” area of the foot and hands. There are numerous reflexology foot and hand charts that show which parts of the feet/ hands are connected to which body parts and organs.. An example taken from the reflexology foot chart is that the tip of the toes on the foot represents the head and neck area - the ears, eyes, nose and throat. It is believed that disease is caused by blockages within these zones. Thus reflexology concentrates on using pressure techniques on the reflexes of the foot, hands and ears, in order to clear out any blockages, which in turn reduces stress and tension within the body. The overall effect of a reflexology treatment is to create a state of balance within the body, that allows the body to heal itself and be healed.
Reflexology treatments usually last between 40 minutes and an hour. Because reflexology is holistic in nature, the reflexologist will start the session by working on the entire foot and then target specific areas of the foot. Areas on the foot that require extra work are usually parts of the foot that feel tight and sensitive during the reflexology treatment.
Everyone from the very young to the old can benefit from reflexology. Reflexology provides pain relief, especially from migraines and sinus problems. Reflexology is also beneficial for digestive and circulatory problems. Reflexology increases the blood and lymph circulation through out the body, which creates an environment that allows the body to heal itself more effectively. Reflexology also stimulates the body to detoxify. Therefore some people may experience side effects from a reflexology treatment. Some people become very lethargic where as others may feel nauseous or get a headache. Patients are advised to drink lots of water after a reflexology treatment to help the kidneys flush out the toxins.
Reflexology is a holistic alternative therapy that is preventive and therapeutic in nature. It does this by applying pressure on the reflex areas of the foot and hands in order to create a state of balance and harmony in the body.
Learn Reflexology at Home!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Reflexology hand chart
Hand reflexology is not as popular as foot reflexology, but if you want to do a DIY( do it yourself) reflexology treatment, then hand reflexology is a good place to start. It is much easier to work on your own hand than on your foot. A must have is a good reflexology hand chart. A reflexology hand chart shows where the body's organs, glands and body parts are found on the hand. You will need to refer to this reflexology hand chart to check were you need to massage, for your specific needs.
Alternatively you can use this interactive reflexology hand chart to see where the body is represented on the hand.
Alternatively you can use this interactive reflexology hand chart to see where the body is represented on the hand.
Reflexology foot chart
In reflexology the body parts are reflected in
miniture on the foot.
Use this interactive chart to see where different
body parts are represented on the foot.
The 6 main mappings of the feet are:
1. Tips of the toes reflect the head
2. The balls of the foot is the ribcage area eg lungs,
3. The arch of the foot is the abdominal area
4. The heel represents the pelvic area.
5. The ankle is the reproductive area
6. The outer foot reprsents the outer body parts
eg the arms
miniture on the foot.
Use this interactive chart to see where different
body parts are represented on the foot.
The 6 main mappings of the feet are:
1. Tips of the toes reflect the head
2. The balls of the foot is the ribcage area eg lungs,
3. The arch of the foot is the abdominal area
4. The heel represents the pelvic area.
5. The ankle is the reproductive area
6. The outer foot reprsents the outer body parts
eg the arms
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