The Reflexology Massage Technique
Reflexology is a popular massage technique that works through specific pressure points on the foot. It falls into the category of alternative medicine. Critics voice concerns that there is not scientific proof to back the use of reflexology, while clients swear by the practice.
The principles of reflexology focus on applying pressure, usually through foot massage techniques, on specific points. Each point is believed to be connected to a different part of the body. Areas of the foot that are commonly massaged include the arch, heel and base of the big toe.
Often used for relaxation, reflexology is also promoted as an effective way to help reduce pain, increase blood flow and for a variety of ailments associated with different illnesses. It has a long history and can be traced back for centuries in Egypt and China.
Practitioners of reflexology stress that it is meant to work with modern medicine, not in place of it. It is taken very seriously in places like the United Kingdom where it is licensed and regulated. Licensed practitioners in the U.K. study massage therapy techniques and Qi, a term used for the body’s life force or energy.
Reflexology focuses mainly on points in the foot but the hand and the ear also have these pressure points that can be massaged for relief. Each point represents and correlates with a target area of the body. The left foot represents the left side of the body and the right foot represents the right side of the body.
Picture drawing a line from side to side through the arch and envisioning that this is how the body is divided. Each part of the foot has a corresponding area on the body with the toes or top part representing the upper part of the body and the heel representing the lower part. The ball or base of the foot represents the heart, lungs, and core of the body.
Studies based on reflexology show that those who seek it out believe that they receive significant relief for various issues. This includes increased energy and range of movement, lessening of tension in different parts of the body, improved circulation and an overall feeling of balance and systemic harmony.
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