Can Reflexology reduce physical, emotional and psychological stress
and tension?
Reflexology reduces physical, emotional and
psychological stress and tension. This reduction of stress and
tension results in a greater degree of relaxation in the body and a
consequent revitalization and rejuvenation of the functioning of the
body. Reflexology also increases the body's awareness of itself. The
combination of therapeutic relaxation and increased awareness
facilitate movement toward optimal healthy functioning. In this
sense reflexology is healing.
ART means that the application of reflexology is most beneficial
when the practitioner is bringing their intuitive senses into play
with their practice of reflexology. Everyone who uses the techniques
of reflexology will find that the results are beneficial. However,
the practitioner that develops awareness of their intuitive senses
and applies reflexology in accordance with their intuitive senses
will have more effective results.
The basic techniques used in the practice of reflexology are very
simple and easy to learn. As in many other activities it takes some
practice of the techniques to become familiar with them. In this
process of practicing the techniques it is inevitable that some of
the benefits of reflexology will be discovered. The most common
benefit to be discovered is how profoundly relaxing reflexology is
for most (not all) people that it is applied to. Even for relatively
healthy people in our hectic western society, the feeling of
profound relaxation is a blissfully pleasant experience that is
deeply appreciated.
Beyond these pleasurable feelings of relaxation, recipients of
reflexology often report a wide range of other benefits, such as:
feeling more centred, feeling more solidly connected to the ground
and paradoxically feeling like walking on air, experiencing deeper
sleep, relief from a wide variety of aches and pains, relief from
headaches, clearing of sinus congestion, etc..
The range of potential benefits available from reflexology is very
wide. It is believed that reflexology moves the body from
functioning in the sympathetic nervous system modality (fight or
flight) to the parasympathetic system modality (rest and repair),
that reflexology improves the assimilation of nutrients to enhance
the provision of nourishment for healthy functioning; that
reflexology improves the circulation of the blood and lymph with
consequent improved nourishment and cleansing of the cells and
elimination of accumulated toxins; similarly, that reflexology
strengthens the functioning of the immune system. In short, by
revitalizing and rejuvenating the intricate functioning of the
physical body reflexology assists the body in it's inherent process
of healing itself.
As a consequence, reflexology powerfully complements all other
healing modalities. In particular it enhances the effectiveness of
nutritional therapies including herbology, and, manipulative
therapies such as physiotherapy and chiropractic.
When a person is experiencing extremely acute pain, such as a severe
whiplash, reflexology, unique in it's ability to relieve stress and
tension through stimulation of the distant reflexes, can safely ease
the pain until it is conducive to the direct stimulation of massage
therapy or physiotherapy. In this way, reflexology is very
beneficial for the person who is presently experiencing extreme pain
and who is understandably not receptive to any direct stimulation of
the injured area.
As reflexology gains wider acceptance as a therapy, it's
effectiveness for specific conditions is being researched. Recently,
the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, a prestigious
medical research journal, published an evaluation of the
effectiveness of reflexology for women suffering with pre-menstrual
syndrome (PMS). This study, which evaluated 38 symptoms experienced
by these women, reported that the symptoms were reduced by 46%
during treatment, an improvement that was sustained at 41% for two
months beyond the cessation of treatment. The journal concluded that
reflexology should be considered an effective therapy for PMS.
Many other studies evaluating the effectiveness of reflexology for
specific health conditions have been published in Denmark, England
and China. In these countries, reflexology has been integrated into
the national health care system - which has made it easier to get
research studies conducted. The health conditions focussed on in
these studies include: headaches, back pain, asthma and constipation
- a wide variety of conditions for any one therapy to address. In
general, the results of these studies report reflexology to be
effective for 75% to 80% of recipients.
Reflexology teacher at Massage School in Maui, Hawaii
Aloha School of Massage Therapy
355 Hukilike Street
Suite 203
Kahului, Maui 96732
info@alohamassageschool.com
808-871-9966
We look forward to hearing from you.
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