Reflexology is a brilliant method of treatment using gentle to firm massage on acupuncture meridians areas found in the feet and the hands.
Most commonly, the feet are used as the areas to be treated. It works in a very similar way to acupuncture. It is gentle effective and a wonderful diagnostic tool. Practitioners are able to provide patients with reliable and good quality advice on their system health.
It is also a brilliant non invasive way to subtly stimulate internal organ systems that do all the hard work as we go about our daily chores. Reflexology encourages organ systems to work in balance. Organs such as stomach, liver, spleen, heart channels and your emotional self become very congested and sluggish affecting our physical and emotional health.
Relexology treatment may work by normalising reflexes disturbances of our autonomic nervous system. This self adjusting system is the brain, control box and subconscious system that looks after our day to day internal equilibrium and emotional well being through the thyroid, adrenal glands and vascular tonicity.
It is said to have originated in China some 5000 years ago, when pressure therapy where used to correct energy fields in the body. It was not until around 1913 that the therapy was introduced to the west by an American ear, nose and throat consultant, Dr William Fitzgerald.
In the feet, there are reflex areas corresponding to all the parts of the body and these areas are arranged in such a way as to form a map of the body in the feet with the right foot corresponding to the right side of the body and the left foot to the left side of the body. Thus, it becomes possible to treat the whole body and the treat the body as a whole. This latter point is an important factor of a natural therapy and allows not only symptoms to be treated but also their causes.
Reflexology theory is about energy, spiritual and describes channels that energy moves round in. Within the body this could mean blood, lymphatic flow or even our collected ” self” our well being. Illness occurs when ‘energy channels’ in the body are blocked and physiology is disrupted from its homeostatic ” balance”. This altered state causes damage to the smooth running of internal cleansing, nutritional and oxygenating systems.
This will almost certainly affect our emotional state as it disrupts the smooth running of our kidneys and adrenals. Massage is aimed at breaking reflexes or stimulating these blocks, in part and possibly sending many vibrant signals thought the nerve potentially energising electrical impulses or the internal fluid movement along your nerves axo plasmic nerve flow ! This may break previous adjustment reflexes caused by life style stress , fear etc.
Reflexology is about allowing energy to flow freely again and so to heal the damage. Reflexology does not claim to be a “cure all”, but numerous different disorders seem to be responding well to this natural therapy. These disorders include such things as migraine,In fertility, sinus problems, hormonal imbalances, breathing difficulties, digestive problems, circulatory problems, back problems, tension and stress to name a few
What can you expect?
Our Reflexologist at the Welwyn and Hatfield Practice is Tracey Weaver she has many years experience in reflexology and healing therapies. At first a detailed medical history will be taken. You will then be seated in a reclining chair or treatment couch asked to remove shoes and socks.
Tracey will initially examine the feet before commencing with the precise massage movement. The particular type of massage involved requires the application of a firm pressure using the side and end of the thumb. In some instances, the fingers may also be employed.
All areas on both feet will be massaged. Areas corresponding to parts of the body which are out of balance will feel uncomfortable or tender when massaged and the degree of tenderness will indicate the degree of imbalance. The sensitivity of the feet varies from person to person and the trained practitioner will understand the correct pressure to apply and how to interpret the tenderness felt. The massage should not be uncomfortable, even to the most sensitive feet.
Out treatment at The Welwyn and Hatfield Practice lasts up to an hour and at the end of the session, the feet should feel warm and the patient relaxed. The number of treatment sessions required will vary depending on the condition being treated.
Following treatment, it is sometime possible that the eliminating systems of the body become more active in order to rid the body of unwanted toxic matter. For example, treatment of a congested sinus may result in a cold; and constipation treatment can cause increased bowel movements. However, treatment is correctly applied so side affects should be minimal.
Try not to do anything strenuous after and enjoy the amasing experience of feeling peaceful and so relaxed.