What Is Reflexology?

by Ariana Vincent - Ariana Institute
(Austin and Online)

Ariana Institute offers online and classroom Reflexology CE classes. www.arianainstitute.com Enjoy this article on Reflexology! Warmly, Ariana

WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY?

Reflexology assists the body in healing by balancing glands, relaxing muscles, promoting pain-killing hormone production, and detoxifying the body.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the feet, hands and ears are a hologram of the body. The powerful technique of Reflexology is based on the premise that there are reflex areas in the hands, feet and ears which correspond to the body's systems and organs, and that massaging these areas can dissolve congestion and nourish the organs by promoting homeostasis.

Reflexology helps promote homeostasis by bringing the systems into balance.

Massaging someone's feet is also an effectual way to induce deep relaxation. The simple human contact and support offered through touch is medicine in itself.

Reflexology proves to be a powerful and supportive technique to reduce stress and release anxiety. By relaxing the body, tension is relieved and the circulation of blood and lymph is restored to its natural flow and all of the body's processes function more efficiently. Simultaneously, awareness of one's body is heightened.

Beyond these pleasurable feelings of relaxation, recipients of Reflexology often report a wide range of other benefits, such as: feeling more centered, feeling more solidly connected to the ground and paradoxically feeling like walking on air, experiencing deeper sleep, relief from a wide variety of aches and pains, relief from headaches, and clearing of sinus congestion. These effects have been observed to facilitate the natural healing processes of the body and enhance a person's general health.

There are three theories that explain the effects of reflexology. (1) The energy theory suggests that organs communicate via an electromagnetic field. Reflexology can assist energy to recirculate through blocked electromagnetic pathways. (2) The lactic acid theory suggests lactic acid accumulates as microcrystals in the feet. Reflexology can crush the crystals, allowing for freer flowing energy. (3) The proprioceptive nerve receptor theory looks at it from a nervous system perspective due to the nerve endings in the feet. The relaxation caused by reflexology affects the autonomic response, which will affect the endocrine, immune and neuropeptide systems.

In Reflexology we have an easy to learn, non-invasive technique that provides the recipient with a blissfully relaxing experience that is potentially powerful in its ability to assist the body in returning to a state of homeostasis.