Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas of the feet, hands or ears. Reflexologists believe that these areas and reflex points correspond to different organs and body systems, and that pressing them has a beneficial effect on the organs and general health of the person. For example, reflexology holds that a specific spot in the arch of the foot corresponds to the bladder point. When a reflexology practitioner uses thumbs or fingers to apply appropriate pressure to this area, affecting bladder function.
footAlthough reflexology massage is not used to diagnose or cure health disorders, millions of people around the world use it to complement other treatments to treat conditions such as anxiety, asthma, cancer treatment, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, headaches, kidney function, PMS, and sinusitis.
Reflexology is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and Asia as a complement to other treatments and as a preventive measure. An example is Denmark, where various municipalities and companies have employed reflexologists since the early 90s.
According to several studies, this practice in Denmark has led to a reduction in sick leave and absenteeism (and significant cost savings for employers). Employees have consistently reported complete or partial improvement in conditions in which requested help reflexologists' and even the relief of additional problems related to stress. In a municipal district, almost a third of employees reported greater satisfaction with their jobs after completing six sessions with a reflexologist.
Where are the reflexology points and areas?
In the theory of reflexology, points and areas on the feet, hands and ears correspond to specific organs, bones and body systems. Practitioners access these points on the feet and hands (bottom, sides and top) and the ear (both inside as the finger can reach and outside) affecting the organs and systems through whole body.
Maps have been approved reflexes among professionals worldwide. It is understandable that there is no agreement among all reflexologists on all points, however, yes there is general agreement on the main points reflexes. Part of the scientific documentation of the links between the skin and internal organs also exists.
To represent how the body systems correspond to each
other, reflexologists use "maps". Reflexology A good example of a reflexology map exists for the feet. Each foot represents a vertical midline of the body:
refloxology chartThe left foot corresponds to the left side of the body and all organs, valves, etc. located there.
The right foot corresponds to the right side of the body and all organs found there. For example, the liver is on the right side of the body, and hence the corresponding area is reflected in the right foot.
The illustration on the right shows a map of reflexology for the feet. For a map of the hands, see www.reflexology-research.com
A reflexologist can hold an overall, integrated, or may focus on specific problems in the feet, hands or ears. For example, if the time is limited and the person you really need to relax, the reflexologist may choose just to work on the ears.
Whatever the approach, the reflexologist attempts to release congestion or stress in the nervous system and balance the body's energy.
How does it relate to other therapies reflexology?
Acupuncture and Acupressure: Reflexology is similar to acupuncture and acupressure, because it works with the body's vital energy through the stimulation of points on the body. However, the points of acupuncture / acupressure not always coincide with the reflex points used in reflexology.
massageReflexology foot and acupressure are both therapies "reflexes" in working with points on a body part to affect other parts of the body. While reflexology uses reflexes that are in an orderly arrangement resembling a human body shape in the feet, hands and outer ears, acupressure uses over 800 reflex points found along power lines, Long slender called meridians which run along the entire body.
Massage: Some people confuse reflexology with massage. Meanwhile massage and reflexology use touch, the approaches are very different.
Massage is the systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, the use of specific techniques (eg, tapping, kneading, rubbing, and friction) to relax the muscles.
Reflexology focuses on reflex maps of points and areas of the body on the feet, hands and ears with unique micro-movement techniques such as thumb or finger walking and hook and backup to create a response to through the body.
In short, the massage therapists work "outside-in" manipulating specific muscle groups or fascia to release tension. Reflexology Practitioners are seen as working "from the inside out" - stimulating the nervous system to release tension.
Another difference between massage and reflexology is that a customer will stay with clothes for a reflexology session except for the removal of shoes, while clients remove clothing for a massage session.
Where does reflexology come from?
Because reflexology is an ancient practice, its origin and its history is difficult to trace. However, reflexology is believed to have been transmitted through oral tradition, and first recorded possibly as a pictogram in the Egyptian tomb of 2,330 prints infeet Ankhamor BC, along with other medical procedures.
Reflexology Symbols also are believed to be registered at the feet of the Buddha statues and India after China. The classic Chinese Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, which was written around 1000 BC, has a chapter on "Examining Foot Method" and is the beginning of the discussion in print about connecting life force and points and areas on the feet.
Marco Polo is believed to book massage translated Chinese into Italian in 1300, thus introducing reflexology and massage to Europe. In 1582, a book in an integral element of reflexology called zone therapy was first published in Europe by Dr. Adamus and Dr. A'tatis.
In the United States, William H. Fitzgerald, MD, who is frequently referred to as the father of reflexology, wrote in 1917 about ten vertical zones that extended the length of the body. We found that application of pressure to an area corresponding to the location of a lesion could serve as pain relief during minor surgery.
The work of Dr. Fitzgerald was extended by Dr. Shelby Riley, who developed a horizontal zone map that go through the body and a detailed map of the reflex points on the feet and hands. He also suggested that pressure points on the outer ear.
Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist working for Dr. Riley, is another prominent figure in the development of reflexology. In his research with the pressure points of zone therapy, he found the foot to be the most sensitive and responsive. Maps developed foot still in use today and introduced reflexology practices nonmedical community in the 1930s. Ms. Ingham also designed one of the most common charts used reflexology, which has since been refined by his nephew Dwight Byers, at the International Institute of Reflexology.
In 1957, Dr. Paul Nogier recorded a map reflex points of the ear. His work has been expanded by Oleson and Flocco and is now being taught as part of an integrated approach to the hand, ear and foot reflexology
