Reflexology

Reflexology, an ancient form of healing, is a solution to the relief of stress and pain. More and more people are turning to the therapy. However, it is classified as an alternative therapy and is not a mainstream scientifically recognised treatment in general.

We employ nationally board certified reflexologists. Some have been practising for over 10 years, and some are also certified by the NTCB, and more.

We are helping Glaswegians in all walks of life reach their optimum health with my unique reflexology and holistic healing.

Read on, and use our comprehensive article to discover reflexology in detail.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a practice in which different amounts of pressure are applied to specific points on the feet or hands. It's a natural healing art, based on the principle that all parts of the body have a corresponding “reflex” point on the feet, hands, or ears, which can be stimulated to improve the health and function of the corresponding area.

To put it another way, it is a homeopathic massage technique designed to relieve pain. Reflexology zones are also thought to be located in the teeth, and tongue.

Our bodies are incredibly robust. They are also sensitive and intelligent enough to know what is needed to aid healing. That is why reflexology is growing in popularity and becoming peoples first choice of complementary therapy, as the outcome is a deep state of balance so the body can heal itself.

Following simple reflexology techniques is super relaxing and may even offer additional health benefits.

Reflexology is a treatment which those that practice it and their clients just know works, to cause relaxation and healing in those parts of the body. But many also point out that this has not been proven rigorously by scientific studies.

It is based on the belief that the human body contains an energy field called ” qi “. Practitioners claim to manipulate the fundamental “life energy” “qi” through reflexology techniques.

Again, this claim has no scientific basis. An alternate claim is that nerve channels going to the various parts of the body are also additionally used in the foot. It is indicated that the brain is wired in such a way that the nerves in the toes are treated the same as the nerves on the head.

What Scientific Research Has Shown

What can be said is that in a study funded by the US National Cancer Institute, women with advanced breast cancer who received reflexology treatments showed improvement in a few symptoms, such as shortness of breath, but not others, such as nausea or pain.

But, in this study, reflexology was said to be safe even for the most fragile patients.

However, back in the 2000s, researchers looked at the effects of one 30-minute foot reflexology treatment on people being treated for breast or lung cancer. Those who received a reflexology treatment reported lower levels of anxiety than those who received no reflexology treatment.

In a 2014 study that was slightly larger, researchers gave people undergoing heart surgery a 20-minute foot reflexology treatment once a day for four days.

Reflexology therapists says that it can also be extremely beneficial for expectant, labouring, or newly delivered women and their babies. it can treat a variety of specific conditions to maintain wellness. We all know expecting mothers face many irritating problems that create imbalance as their pregnancy progresses.

Practitioners know from the thousands of successful treatments accomplished that the treatment works in the vast majority of cases and provides genuine relief to their clients.

Regular reflexology treatments help the body to adjust to our physical environment.

Reflexology in History

Reflexology is an ancient practice passed down through the ages. Proof of the practice may date back to pre-dynastic china 3000 bc. The incas and native americans may have introduced reflexology to south and north America.

Reflexology Health

Reflexology is based on the principle that certain areas on the soles of the feet or hands known as reflex zones, correspond to other parts of the body. Because these areas are rich in nerve endings, it is believed that when pressure is applied, the body’s natural ability to heal itself is stimulated and health is restored.

It’s one of the less out-there holistic therapies, in that is a lot like massage therapy. Except it focuses solely on the hands, feet, and ears.

Reflexology tradition has it that these areas correspond to various organs and systems throughout the body. Applying pressure to certain areas on the hands, feet, and ears will affect the organs to the benefit of your health.

In the past, our ancestors spent most of their lives walking barefoot, with their feet constantly being stimulated by the texture of the earth. Many ancient cultures directly connected the health of the body to the health of the feet.

Reflexology Well Being

At the end of an exhausting day, nothing feels better than kicking your shoes off, putting your feet up and relaxing in the comfort of your own home. I am willing to wager that you have even asked a significant other, or family member who has a gentle touch, for a quick foot massage while you let the stress of the day ebb away.

Massaging and working with reflex points helps improve blood circulation, reduces stress and helps balance the body.

Reflexology Benefits During Pregnancy

Pregnancy reflexology can, many beieve, help relieve some of the common ailments that occur during pregnancy, such as:

• morning sickness, hyperemesis, heartburn and nausea
• back pain
• pelvic girdle pain and symphysis pubis issues
• carpal tunnel syndrome by helping you to relax and unwind, a relaxing and restorative reflexology treatment can also positively impact on your partner and wider family.

Important: If you're going to try reflexology, make sure that your therapist is trained to work on women who are pregnant and is experienced in dealing with early pregnancy.

This goes for anyone working with any kind of massage therapy: make absolutely certain that your therapist is deeed qualified to work on you, because serious problems can result from bad accupressure. Choose your therapist wisely.

Many women find that pregnancy, in addition to their normal day-to-day activities, can put them under pressure. Pregnancy reflexology is appropriate for relaxation and stress reduction during these sensitive times, and gives the mother a safe space to discuss any and all feelings surrounding the pregnancy.

The last few days of pregnancy can be really uncomfortable, and if you’re overdue, you may be trying every trick in the book to bring on labour. Some to reflexology to help induce labour. How exactly does reflexology induce labour? That's open to question. But, many do say it gave them assistance, and reduced their pain during childbirth.

It may be that it stimulates the release of oxytocin to encourage the onset of uterine contractions. Having a course of reflexology in pregnancy may reduce the overall length of labour.

Later, during childbirth applying pressure to the specific reflex points may quite possibly help to reduce pain, while keeping contractions regular and successful.

Applying Reflexology

There are various methods for applying pressure. Two common techniques include the utilization of a physical object like a short, wooden stump, or the use of bare hands to apply pressure with the thumbs, fingers, palms, and knuckles. Foot reflexology uses a combination of these methods.

Converts say that hand and foot reflexology is of great value for relieving generalized foot pain caused by cramped or chronically tight muscles. Like other forms of massage, it may release endorphins, leading to pleasurable, relaxed states.

Until better evidence is published in peer reviewed journals, many experts remain skeptical of claims that by massaging or applying pressure to specific points on the hands or feet so much benefit could result.

Nevertheless, the therapist will accept clients promising to alleviate problems in corresponding organs or other systems throughout the body.

Caution is the watchword with regard to claims that reflexology can cleanse the body of toxins, increase circulation, promote weight loss, or successfully treat earaches, hemorrhoids , emphysema , heart disease, thyroid disorders or any other health condition.

Make sure that the therapist you see is trained and insured to use reflexology specifically for the purpose you seek.

Reflexology in general is an extremely relaxing treatment, applying gentle pressure to the feet which in turn stimulate, relaxes or balances the bodily systems depending on what is needed at that particular time.

The Reflexology Process

Reflexology is the process of applying pressure to various zones or reflexes on both the sole (plantar aspect) and the top (dorsal aspect) of the foot, and/ or hands.

From the early stages of morning sickness to birth, reflexology can help with the physical, mental and emotional changes that you may experience. Maternity reflexology is a safe and practical therapy for pregnant women and it is also one of the most relaxing therapies you can choose to have during pregnancy. It is excellent in maintaining a balance during the rapidly changing balance of pregnancy.

Elementary Reflexology

Elementary reflexology™ is a form of reflexology incorporating energy balancing with point specific work. Integrating the ancient art of ayurvedic reflexology with the modern energetic principles of polarity, and is based on the concept of the inter-relationship of the five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth.

What sets elemental reflexology™ apart is its foundation in the assessment and balancing of these five elements. Elemental reflexology™ is focused exclusively on the feet, because in polarity, they are the most negative pole in the body-the place where energy is the most dense and tends to crystallise and become blocked. Working on the feet frees up this stagnant energy, allowing it to be released and flow freely throughout the body. This process is suited for all ages and many conditions.

Maps of Our Body in Unexpected Places!

Reflexology is much more than a lovely foot massage. It’s based on the belief that your feet represent a map of your body – with pressure points on your feet linking to organs and tissues across your body. For example, the big toe on your left foot represents the left side of your head, and a point around the ball of your right foot represents your right lung! by pressing on key areas, reflexology is thought to trigger a healing process, working on energy pathways like those used in acupuncture.

Spas and Medical Facilities Worldwide

Reflexology is featured on the menus at thousands of spas, in addition to being practised by trained massage therapists in private practice and certified reflexologists at medical facilities around the globe. Reflexology research continues to shape the essence of the profession.

Reflexology techniques have now been developed to become a wonderful opportunity to enjoy feeling pampered and relaxed. Treatments are gentle and they are an ideal way of supporting the body through the different stages of pregnancy and beyond. Treatments may help to balance hormones, boost energy levels and help to keep the body healthy and relaxed.

Assisting Clients With Fertility Problems

In the initial days when couples first decide to try and conceive, they will sometimes find that it doesn’t happen as quickly or easily as they might have expected. Reflexology has been shown to help this process very successfully and naturally and eases the anxieties and pressures that we place on ourselves when attempting to achieve something we desperately want. Women trying to conceive report that using reflexology at this stage helps them to prepare themselves, both emotionally and physically for conception and many claim reflexology as a key to their success in getting pregnant naturally. Potential dads can benefit hugely from enjoying reflexology as part of this process too.

Foot Reflexology

Reflexology is a unique method of using the thumb and fingers to stimulate more than 7,200 nerve endings in each foot. These nerve endings correspond to all parts of the body, including organs and glands. Stimulating the appropriate region is intended to eliminate energy blockages thought to produce pain or disease in the related areas.

Reflexology is used to prevent, rather than cure, and is used to relieve a wide variety of ailments.

Kids can give their parents a good foot massage and vice versa. And, it's exceptionally relaxing!

Soothing the Aches and Pains in the Back and Joints

Reflexology is often used to soothe the aches and pains in your back and joints that are taking a beating from your growing girth. But that's not all.

Reflexologists say they can give clients relief from some of your most persistent and wide-ranging woes.

These may include, constipation, high blood pressure (as long as it's not related to pre-eclampsia in pregnancy), insomnia, bladder problems, mild cramping and even hemorrhoids. In addition, reflexology is claimed to reduce emotional stresses, depression and anxiety. However, these effects have not been scientifically-proven.

The service requires extensive training and the therapy is provided by only a limited number of practitioners. It’s best to have a few date/time options when calling to schedule your reservation.

During and after a reflexology treatment, the body begins progressively clearing blockages, re-establishing energy flows and balancing itself, resulting in better health. There are many different styles and approaches used in reflexology, with foot reflexology currently the most popular and proven form, however the basic principle remains constant.

Thai Hand Reflexology

A thai massage stick is a small wooden tool or accessory for giving reflexology foot and hand massages. The tool originates from thailand where massage has been a strong part of the culture for thousands of years. The actual massage stick is small and usually hand-carved from thai rosewood, a strong type of wood.

The average size is between five and seven inches long. They are circular and slightly longer at one end and shorter at the other. Often, the stick has two small engraved lines around the circumference for decoration and extra grip. The sticks are also fairly light, but a well-made one will last for many years – and possibly for a whole lifetime!.

Advanced Reflexology

Most people, even those in the hospital, can benefit from reflexology. But you shouldn’t have the treatment if you’re recovering from an injured foot or have gout. It may affect blood flow, so it’s not for people with blood clots.

Is a complementary therapy which can provide support before, during and after pregnancy and it can also play a part in the labour itself. As well as my reflexology diploma i also have an advanced certificate in reflexology for pregnancy.

Reflexology can’t cure you, only you can cure you,” is often said. “But it can make you feel better. ”

Practitioners use complex charts that show how zones on our farthest extremities correspond to various parts of the body, which they stimulate through pressure. You’re not just affecting the muscular system, “but also the internal organs and the flow of energy in the body. ”.

Reflexology Practitioners

Phone a practitioner if you want to balance your body, relieve your bodily pain and relax.

According to practitioners, foot, hand and ear reflexology is a simple, non-invasive method to help balance the body. It has been described as a natural therapy that requires the application of a specific type of pressure on particular areas of the feet.

It derives its school of thought from the principle that there are reflexes in the feet which correspond to every part of the body, so by understanding the “maps,” you can do anything from relaxation to improved circulation, and also add a general feeling of wellness.

Reflexology practitioners claim they can treat a wide range of maladies simply by manipulating the the right pressure points. The general idea is similar to that of other forms of alternative and eastern medicine, such as acupuncture.

Conclusion

Booking an appointment with a massage therapist who specialises in reflexology can be highly beneficial, especially for those suffering from pains associated with organ troubles.

It is an extremely exciting, natural, emotional and life changing process.

The basis for reflexology, zonal therapy, is based on the theory that the body is divided into ten zones running longitudinally from head to toe, with five on each side of the body. Practitioners believe that pressure on reflex points on the foot or hand will affect body organs in the same zone.

The easiest way to understand the discrepancies between a foot reflexology massage vs. a conventional foot massage may be to understand the differences between the practitioners of each type of foot therapy.

Quite often, massage therapists claim to offer reflexology without having studied enough of it to properly apply its techniques, such as finger or thumb walking the correct channel points to treat different parts of the body.