Reflexology - an excellent way to a well-balanced body

Reflexology in general

Reflexology is still considered a complementary medical practice - however, it is becoming more and more widespread as more and more people find it effective. It is a 3,000 year old practice used by the Incas, evidenced by outlines of reflexology zones etched into caves. You may say that "reflexology is the Indian parallel of Chinese acupuncture".

Pain is a sign of organ weakness

The theory of reflexology is that your entire body is reflected in zones on your feet. Application of pressure to a zone will have an effect on the corresponding organ and redress an imbalance. If the patient feels pain when pressure is applied, it signifies weakness in the corresponding organ - and an imbalance in the entire body.

By applying pressure of varying strength on foot reflex zones, impulses are sent to the organs represented by the zones, thereby stimulating the circulation, a better transportation of oxygen and an improved flushing of toxins from the body.

Inner cleaning

In fact, reflexology is a kind of inner cleaning. The many waste products that are deposited with time make your organs weak and inhibit natural body processes - with various diseases and syndromes as a result. Reflexology will cleanse your body of waste products and re-establish the optimum function of your organs.

Reflexologists are excellent at treating symptoms, but the main purpose of treatment is to find the reason for the symptoms - and treat it. Often in close cooperation with doctors and other health practitioners.

Your body is a circulation of energy

As most complementary practices, e.g., acupuncture and kinesiology, reflexology is based on the tenet that your body is one energy circulation - imbalances arise when one part of the circulation is weakened. Ten vertical electro-magnetic pathways - meridians - through the body have been shown by injecting a radioactive substance into acupuncture points and inspecting the distribution through x-ray. When a reflexologist applies pressure to a zone, she will work on meridians and help the body re-establish the energy flow in the body.

This effect cannot be explained scientifically - but it works! More and more companies, sports clubs and even hospitals employ reflexologists - a sure testament to the fact that the practice is becoming more and more accepted. The reflexologist treats, stimulates and prevents - a kind of 'organ exercise' to ensure an optimum function and balance.

Reflexology requires knowledge and experience

A reflexology session usually takes 45 minutes - and it may hurt a bit. As the reflexologist works on your tensions, the pain will subside. The extent of the treatment varies - some challenges require only one or a few sessions, other challenges require more, especially if you have been suffering for years.

A foot massage will give you the same sense of well-being - and you may experience pain. But you do not get the same long-lasting effect of the treatment - a reflexologist is trained to know exactly where to apply pressure for specific problems. It takes 2-3 years of training to become a reflexologist.

Quite a few reflexologists are also trained nurses or doctors who wish to learn a craft that will enable them to constantly feel and interpret - and improve the sensations they pick up. It requires knowledge and experience to sense the stress and tension in the zone areas that reflect body organs, muscles, bones and nerves.

After a reflexology session, your feet have had a good work-out. Sore points have been manipulated. But they may feel cold when the reflexologist remove her warm hands. Your body temperature will drop during treatment; shivering is quite normal.

To finish the treatment, the reflexologist will stroke your feet lightly. You may get the sensation that the heat is 'shimmering' between your feet and her hands. She will put a towel over your feet.

You must rest a bit after a session. And you may expect after-effects such as a bit of dizziness, nausea - or elation. And your toilet visits may be more frequent in the days after a session.