What Is Reflexology?
by D. Braun
zone3
For the Reflexologist, the feet are a microcosm of the human body and
every organ and body part is represented in the feet. Where there are two
organs in the body they will be represented on both feet, e.g. lungs and
kidney and where there is only one organ, this will be represented on one
foot, e.g. the liver will be on the right foot while the heart will be on
the left. Where the organ or body part is reflected in the feet, this is
called the "organ" reflex, e.g. the heart reflex.
The right foot represents the right side of the body as well as the
past while the left foot represents the left side of the body as well as
the present and future.
Each foot has over 7,000 nerve endings, 26 bones, 107 ligaments and 19
muscles. This type of drugless therapy creates a physiological change in
the body by naturally improving your circulation, which reduces our body
tension and enhances relaxation. It aids in the elimination of the body
waste and restoring the body functions to better health.
THE PRINCIPLES OF REFLEXOLOGY
By stimulating reflexes on the feet with a type of pressure massage,
the organs of the body are stimulated, thus allowing them to start
unblocking and healing themselves. In addition to this, the stimulation of
these reflexes allows the body to begin detoxing and eliminating poisons
which have built up through bad diet, thinking and habit.
Centuries ago, man mapped out a healing energy that circulates through
the body on specific pathways. This energy we call "life force" or "vital
energy". This force can be "tapped" at more than 800 points in your
body.
Ancient medical philosophy teaches that to obtain and maintain health,
which is the balance and maintenance of harmony within the body, there
must be a free and unimpeded circulation of energy flowing through the
body's organs.
Traditional medicine, not only of the Chinese, but from the use of
Acupuncture in other countries as well, we learn that traditional medicine
is based on the belief that the body's blood circulation follows the flow
of energy. If this energy circulation, which follows circulates freely in
an endless cycle from the main organs through the channels beneath the
skin, is blocked at some point, then the circulation is impaired.
This blockage results in a deficient oxygenation of the tissues around
the affected area and throws the body off balance. This imbalance produces
malfunctioning not only of the tissues surrounding it, but, if not
corrected, spreads to related organs nearby.
Tapping this healing current can bring prompt and natural relief from
practically all of your aches and pains, chronic or acute, by the simple
process of working the 'reflex buttons' located in your hands, feet and/or
body.
Stimulating, pressing or 'working' a reflex point (or button) connected
to a particular body organ, system or part sends a surge of healing energy
for prompt relief of a condition. Working a reflex also loosens and
flushes out crystals and blockages within the body's energy channels
allowing the life force or vital energy to resume its free and natural
flow through the channels. This encourages the body to swing back into its
normal balance, so harmony and health are again established.
This method of restoring the body to normal functioning involves no
expense, no special equipment (although reflex tools can be utilized and
do help save wear and tear on your finger and thumb joints!), no drugs or
medication. The results are amazingly fast, bringing relief often in a
matter of seconds.
Reflexology, which helps a wide range of situations, not only cures
specific ailments but can be used to keep you in good health and help
build resistance to attacks of disease. In addition, this method often
detects health problems before they become serious by you recognizing a
sore or tender reflex.
Reflexology is a simple technique that can be applied at any time and
practically anywhere. It is Nature's 'push button' secret for dynamic
living, abundant physical energy, vibrant health, better living without
pain, retaining youthful vigor and enjoying life to the fullest.
STRESS AND REFLEXOLOGY
The benefits of Reflexology and Stress can be explained
physiologically. Tension can be equated with stress. There are as many
definitions of stress as there are authors of books on stress. Today
everyone suffers from stress but no one knows what stress is. It could be
stated that stress is the difference between a persons perceived ability
to deal with the stressor and the reality of the environmental demand.
This definition allows for varying degrees of stress to be felt by
different people in the same situation. Irrespective of what the stressor
is, the stress reaction is always the same.
Seyle, 1956, termed the reaction to stress as the fight or flight
syndrome. What this means is that when we are faced with a stressful
situation, we either fight it or run away. The body releases hormones into
the system that allow us to physiologically cope with this. For example,
you have all heard of mothers who have had the strength to lift up a car
to rescue their children. This ability comes from the rush of stress
hormones, e.g. adrenaline into the bloodstream.
We also perspire profusely, (to slip out of a grasp), blood pressure
increases as the blood leaves the extremities (so you do not bleed badly
when cut), proteins and fats convert to glucose (to give you energy) etc.
Once the stress situation is over the stress hormones come back to normal
levels.
Today however, it would be socially unacceptable to hit your boss if he
was stressing you or to run away from home if your kids or spouse were
stressing you. This means that the stress hormones are continually being
secreted and do not come back to a normal level. While these stress
hormones play a vital role when faced with a stressor, they have a
detrimental effect on the individual if they do not come back to normal
levels. Prolonged secretion and circulation of these stress hormones
causes damage to the body.
The white blood cells (infection fighters) become depleted,
neurotransmitters controlling mood are depleted and T-cells in the
lymphatic system are broken down. Examples of the effects of this are not
hard to find. Just look at how many people who have been under stress
become sick. How many people do you know who have lost a "significant
other" through death or divorce or who became ill or contracted
cancer?
Reflexology, by inducing relaxation, reduces the stress hormones so
that the body is able to produce T-cells, white cells and
neurotransmitters so as to start healing itself.
For more information
on Reflexology, including tools, products and free charts, please click
here!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dee is a Certified Aromatherapist, Certified Reflexologist, and Reiki
Master. Her site is AkobiAromas.com - a source of quality aromatherapy, herbal
and reflexology information and products.
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