Posts for Tag : reflexology

The Benefits of Foot Reflexology

After a long day of running errands and going about the city in your high heels you just want to go home, kick off your killer shoes and relax. You rub the soles of your feet and realize that simply rubbing and massaging your tired feet on your own is just not enough. Your next best option would be to get a foot reflexology massage. Foot reflexology has been around for many decades now and is used in many different countries, not only because it relaxes a person’s tired feet, but also because of the many health benefits that a person could get from it.

How can reflexology improve your overall well being?

Reflexology is an application wherein a therapist applies pressure on different parts of your foot. The stimulation of these different pressure points on the foot corresponds to specific areas and organs in the body to produce a therapeutic effect. Reflexology ChartAlthough reflexology has not been used to cure any health ailments, experts agree that when it is used to compliment other medical treatments, it can improve the patient’s positive response to the treatment. It has been used in many patients suffering from serious psychological and physiological conditions such as anxiety, diabetes, migraines, sinusitis, kidney malfunction and cardiovascular issues.

 

The practice of reflexology has been growing even in the technology driven Western world. More and more people are starting to believe in its many therapeutic benefits and there are now more people in the health care industry who are getting the education and training that they need to become reflexologists. For instance, in the early 1990′s there was an increase in the employment of reflexologists in different companies and municipalities in Denmark. Studies show that since then, there has been a decrease in absences due to sickness in many companies. In addition to that, employees started to report an improvement in their overall health and attitude towards their jobs.

 

According to many of them, reflexology has helped them deal with stress better and ultimately, led them to perform better in their jobs. Many believers and practitioners of reflexology maintain that pressure received on the feet actually send signals that promote balance in the nervous system and release chemicals such as endorphins that lead to the reduction of stress and pain. While a good number of physicians believe that there is a lack of scientific evidence to prove the healing powers of reflexology, there are also those who believe that it is a good way to complement any medical treatment that they are going through, even if it is only for the purpose of reducing pain and discomfort.

Which particular pressure points in the foot correspond to different organs in the body?

Anybody who is training to become a reflexologist needs to become familiar with the reflexology map or the different zones first before anything else. This map represents the different points in the foot and which one of them will have a therapeutic effect on which particular organ of the body when stimulated. The most basic information that any aspiring reflexologist should know is that the left foot corresponds to organs found on the left side of the body, while the right foot corresponds to organs found on the right side of the body.

 

1.) Arch of the foot — When your therapist stimulates this part of your foot it directly corresponds to your bladder therefore helping improve your bladder function.

2.) Tip of the toes — When pressure is applied on the tip of the toes, they will have therapeutic benefits on your head, brain as well as your sinuses.

3.) Mid-foot — This corresponds to your stomach, pancreas, small and large intestines, gall bladder, liver, adrenal glands, diaphragm and solar plexus.

4.) Big Toe — This is one of the most important points of pressure because it stimulates some critical organs of the body such as the hypothalamus, pineal glands and pituitary glands.

5.) Ball of the feet — There are many different pressure points found in this particular portion of the sole of your feet. Some of them include the lymph nodes, shoulders, breasts for the females, and the thymus.

6.) Heel — Stimulating this part of your foot benefits the following areas: hip, appendix, cervix for the females, knee, lower back, tailbone, sciatic nerves, bladder and rectum.

 

Many reflexologists start a session by asking the patient first if he is experiencing pain on a particular part of the body. This way he will be able to focus on those parts that need to be worked on the most. For those clients who just want relaxation, reflexologists may choose to conduct general or integrated sessions.

Who can benefit the most from reflexology?

Just about any adult who feels tired and stressed out from their daily routines can go for reflexology just to help them relax. There are however, certain categories of individuals who stand to benefit the most from reflexology and this include the following:

1.) Senior citizens — If you are living with your parents you know that they are almost always in a state of pain or discomfort stemming from their back, joints and muscles. Hiring a reflexologist for them at least two times a month will be beneficial for easing their aches and pains.

2.) Athletes — People who engage in rigorous sports expose their bodies to trauma and wear and tear compared to regular persons. Having regular total body massages and conditioning combined with reflexology will help improve blood circulation in their muscles in order to maintain optimum functioning in their bodies.

 

3.) Patients undergoing cancer treatments – Medical practitioners who believe in the benefits of reflexology often recommend this to their patients. Even if it just to help ease the pain and discomfort that they feel from undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, reflexology can already be greatly beneficial.

 

So after an extremely tiring day, going for reflexology is a great way to unwind and relax. In addition to peace and relaxation, your organs and the rest of your body will also experience many benefits for your overall health to improve your mental, emotional and physical functioning.

 

It would be perfect we all  had our own live-in reflexologist, but shy of winning the lottery, or hooking up with a truly extraordinary mate, we are on our own…but maybe not entirely. Kenkoh, a Japanese company has teamed up with Happy Feet Plus in the US to bring us a sandal which combines the principles of traditional foot reflexology with the modern science of footwear manufacturing. People report that by merely slipping them on and wearing them twenty minutes a  day, they feel invigorated and foot happy. These sandals have been tested at the Kyoto  Institute and…well see the sandals and the finding for yourself here.

Reap Multiple Benefits Through Foot Massage

The benefits of foot massage go way further than just a relaxing treat. It has long been known and accepted that the feet contain lots of different pressure points and nerves that can be manipulated to provide relaxation, pain relief, and more. Having a foot massage performed by a trained reflexologist, pedicure technician, massage therapist, podiatrist, other therapy professional or even your partner can help relieve your pain and leave you reinvigorated. If you need some ammunition to get your partner on board, read on about the health benefits of foot massage and if you promise to return the favor, you can receive the benefits of foot massage on a regular basis.

Relaxation and Rest

With over seven thousand nerve endings in the feet, they are a treasure trove of pressure points waiting to be unlocked to provide tension release and relief. Using a reflexology pressure point chart, locate the point for the solar plexus on the booth feet. Applying pressure to the solar plexus pressure points in your feet will immediately release stored stress and allow your body to decompress, relax and unwind.

Remofoot massageval of Toxins and Improved Circulation

Foot massage can help reduce high stress rates that can often restrict blood flow and compromise circulation. Destressing through foot massage helps the body release stress hormones that inhibit circulation and can help improve blood flow and decrease toxins that accumulate in your body.

Nail And Toe Care

Foot massages are a great way to avoid painful foot, toe and nail problems. Using a moisturizing massage cream can prevent dry, cracked, painful heels that can lead to fissures and infections. Massaging cream into your toenails and cuticles will keep them hydrated and can help avoid the onset of thick, yellow or calloused skin and nail problems.

 

Diabetics and People With Foot Ulcers Benefit From Massage
People with compromised circulation can derive great benefits from foot massage. In studies, people with diabetic foot ulcers saw a significantly decreased healing time when their foot ulcers were treated with massage. It is theorized the benefits derived from increased circulation through massage are behind the results and doctor recommend massage therapy in tandem with standard medical and surgical treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Cancer Patients

Cancer patients also report multiple benefits from receiving foot massages. After receiving foot massages, cancer patients report feeling less nausea, pain, fatigue, vomiting, and decreased anxiety. Massage may help cancer patients on multiple levels, both physically and mentally by providing pain relief and tension relief. Incorporating massage therapy into a cancer treatment plan can be a successful way to manage the ravages of cancer.

 

Ancient people revered the feet as the house of pressure points and knew that manipulation of those points can effect the way people feel and function. Tap into this ancient wisdom and use the power of acupressure points to alter your mood, pain state, disposition and to increase circulation and flush out toxins. Try a foot massage once a day for a week and see if you do not feel differently. Once you see and feel the difference, you will be a devotee of foot massage and its benefits.

 

Happy Feet Plus offers a way to give yourself a foot massage every day without effort, by simply putting on a pair of sandals.

Kenkoh massage sandals are a Japanese sandal designed using the ancient principals of reflexology. Hundreds of nodules gently massage your feet as you walk. Wearing them may initially take a bit of getting used to, but thousands of people sear by them and give them credit for a variety of health benefits. You can find out all about them at http://www.happyfeet.com/kenkoh