The practitioner may wash your feet and soak them in warm water, then position them at his or her chest level. The practitioner will begin by assessing your feet for open wounds, rashes, sores, plantar warts or bunions and will ask you about any foot or leg pain that could hinder treatment.
Generally a session lasts between minutes. You can rest or talk during the session at your discretion. If you fall asleep during the session, you will still receive the benefits of the treatment.
Feedback during the session is encouraged, and of course, you can request that the session stop at any time. Regardless of your health condition s for example, migraine, nausea, sciatica, etc. A complete reflexology therapy session uses many different techniques and includes all of the points on both feet and perhaps the hands and ears. By working all of the points, the reflexologist addresses internal organs and glands as well as muscle groups, bones, nerve ganglions solar plexus, brachial plexus and nerves sciatic during a session.
If you have a specific condition, such as migraines, the reflexologist will carefully feel and work the area corresponding to the presenting problem. However, they will also work all areas of the foot with gentle pressure, because, according to reflexology theories, this allows the nerve pathways and congestion to release and promotes the relaxation response for the entire body.
The first thing to understand is that the reflexologist stimulates the nervous system to do the work of balancing and releasing; it is not the therapist who "fixes" discomfort. If reflexologists find pain, congestion, or tightness during the session, they will apply pressure to work on bringing the body back into balance.
The reflexologist can return to that area or spot at the end of the session, confirming the pain has released. Throughout the session, the reflexologist will stay present, grounded, and in a calm and centered state of awareness.
Experiences with reflexology sessions vary from a general feeling of relaxation, to a sense of "lightness" or tingling in the body, as well as feelings of warmth, a sense of "opening," or "energy moving" from the practitioner's pressure to the specific body area or organ. There is often a physical perception of energy flowing through every organ, valve, gland, or muscle, as well as a sense of communication between each body system.
Reflexologists do not diagnose or tell you about any congestion or tension they observe on the foot, hand, or ear during a session that may suggest abnormalities. One of the theories of reflexology is that the body will nurture and repair itself once released from stress. If the body is extremely stressed, the reflexologist may refer you to a medical team or another treatment, if appropriate, but at no time will he or she give medical advice or diagnosis. Most reflexologists have some type of calm, peaceful way of closing the session that involves stroking the hand or foot and holding the limb in some manner.
The important aspect is for you to feel comforted and nurtured. Now that the session is complete, you should not feel rushed. Gently bring yourself back into the present moment, and orient yourself. As you feel comfortable, gather yourself and your belongings to leave. The practitioner may recommend that you drink water, rest if necessary, and pay attention to your body in the next few hours.
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What are the potential benefits of reflexology? What does the research say? Is reflexology safe to try? Here we will look at what reflexology is, how it started, how it works, what a reflexology foot chart looks like, the benefits of reflexology, the scientific research behind it, the benefits and risks and why reflexology should be used alongside conventional medicine rather than as an alternative.
Simply put, reflexology is all about applying pressure to specific areas of the feet, hands and ears guided by a reflexology foot chart or hand map.
With reflexology, constant pressure is applied, typically alternating between finger and thumb pressure to the hands and feet. Some reflexologists may also use various items such as rubber bands, balls and sticks to assist them in their work. The origins of reflexology can be traced back around years to Egypt and China.
Hieroglyphics found in a pyramid in Egypt dating back to BC show reflexology as part of Egyptian culture at that time. In zone therapy the body is divided into ten longitudinal zones five on each side of the body. Each zone runs down the body, diverges into one of the arms, and continues straight down through the body and into the particular leg, all the way to the respective foot to line up with a particular toe. Three transverse lines were later introduced, dividing the body horizontally as well as vertically.
Modern reflexology developed in the early 20th century largely due to the works of Dr William Fitzgerald and physiotherapist Eunice Ingham, who are considered the father and mother of reflexology. Their works greatly increased understanding of how reflexology works. Reflexology claims to work on the theory of Qi pronounced Chee — an invisible energy field or life force that flows through the different channels or zones in the body. The theory is that if your Qi is disrupted or blocked through stress, injury, illness, toxicity or congestion then the body becomes unbalanced, unable to heal itself and pain can develop.
Reflexology aims to remove any blockages and allow Qi to flow freely through the whole body until a state of balance, known as homeostasis, is achieved. By stimulating different areas from a reflexology foot chart, reflexologists improve the flow of energy to the linked body part and restore the balance and flow of Qi.
This allows a deep state of relaxation which enables the body to heal itself. Reflexology also produces endorphins, chemicals which help to reduce pain and stress.
Imagine a map of your whole body projected onto your foot - that is essentially what a reflexology foot chart or map is.
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