Reflexology

Reflexology - The Zone Therapy

Reflexology is also known as zone therapy and is the actual practice of pushing, massaging and squeezing different areas of the feet. In some cases, certain parts of the palms and the ears are also massaged. The overall goal of reflexology is to encourage a beneficial effect on different areas of the body and to also improve your health in general. This massage is done without using any oil and the thumbs are usually used.

Even though there is little evidence as well as agreement on just exactly how reflexology could or does work in practice, there is one joining theme that lays claim that different areas of the foot are known to correspond to different parts of the body. With that being said, if these spots are manipulated, it can also improve your health overall.

There are skeptics that have really expressed concern with the whole concept of using reflexology in the treatment of serious conditions because it can really delay conventional medicine that has been proven to work. The thing is that reflexology is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. This alternative line of treatment should be used as a complement and not instead of conventional medicine. Today, there is a move to make it part of the hospitals and the HMOs and it is being considered for insurance reimbursement.

Let’s go back in time a little and look at what it meant to the ancients. It has been a part of the medical systems in China, Japan and Egypt and archeological evidence points to this. It made its appearance in the West when there were connections seen between the nervous system and reflex in the 19th century.

How does Reflexology work?

What people believe is that it is a system that taps into the reflex network and when pressure is applied at the pressure sensors which lie at the soles of the feet and the palms, it provides ease and relief to the parts affected with discomfort and pain. According to reflexologists, the soles and the palms are a map of the body and therefore, this is where healing for any part can begin. Massaging these parts brings the body back into a state of balance or equilibrium or homeostasis. In some ways, it follows the same principles of acupuncture or acupressure.

It is easy to practice this anywhere. You can even do a general well-being reflexology massage with a roller for the feet for about ten minutes everyday. This can be done at work, while you’re in the kitchen or sitting at the computer. There have been over 170 studies done on this subject and of the, 95 were controlled studies and it was wonderful to see that 90% of these came up with positive results. They all showed that reflexology impacted life for the better.

Reflexology need not be an all or nothing formula. One can very easily integrate it into one’s life. There are many nurses and cosmetologists who have taken a course in reflexology to better their care and skills. It takes such a little time of yours each day and what’s more, the massage feels so good too!