Reflexology – the Hidden Gem to Help Combat Stress
Are the stresses of life getting the better of you? Is your job leaving you tired and frustrated? Is the bad weather keeping you down? Then reflexology could be the perfect tonic for you this winter.
What is reflexology?
Reflexology is a healing technique that was used by ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, but reflexology in the West was brought to the attention of the masses by Dr William Fitzgerald and his study of zone therapy that focuses on the longitudinal lines of energy that run from the feet to the brain.
His work was later built on by Eunice Ingham who is seen as the pioneer of modern reflexology authoring two influential books and pioneering the Ingham method that is still widely used today.
How does it work?
Reflexology focuses on the feet and the hands and is based on the idea that the feet and hands have zones and reflex points in the nerve endings that correspond to every part of the body.
If there is stress or illness in the body it can become imbalanced and this can lead to stress and sickness worsening. In order to re-balance the body pressure is placed on reflex points to help restore health in corresponding areas of the body. This in turn can improve blood circulation and allow the body to relax.
The benefits of reflexology
Reflexology can be beneficial by helping to ease acute and chronic conditions. With stress related conditions causing some of the most common health problems in the UK reflexologists can use techniques to ease tension in the parts of the body that are causing the irritation. For example to help combat migraines the spine, neck, brain and digestion reflexes will all have pressure applied to help ease tension in the patient.
Other ailments that reflexology can combat include: Asthma, chest infections, constipation, earache. Eczema, sports related injuries, temper and irritability and tonsillitis. It can also be used to benefit the stress of pregnancy by reducing tension in muscles, alleviating morning sickness and heartburn whilst also helping to ease digestive issues.
What to expect from reflexology
On average sessions usually take around 45 minutes and will begin with a health, diet and lifestyle consultation followed by an examination of your feet and hands.
After beginning with gentle relaxation techniques pressure will be applied to the appropriate reflex points that the reflexologist will have identified during your consultation.
During your first session you may not feel anything and although it will still be effective this should change over subsequent treatments as your reflexes are awakened.
Both hands and feet can be worked during sessions and certain areas may be revisited over different sessions in order to balance particular reflexes.
If you feel any pain during sessions it is worth telling your reflexologist as this can help them to find different ways to stimulate your reflexes or to work out why the pain is occurring.
Combined with regular exercise at your local health club and gym reflexology will leave you relaxed and revitalised. Reflexology can have great long-term benefits that will help you feel great. Many people report an increase in energy and a more positive outlook on life, as well as feeling a sense of calm that helps them to react better in stressful situations. Combined with regular exercise at your local health club and gym.
So what are you waiting for? All it takes is the decision to start reflexology treatments and you could be de-stressed and re-energized in no time!
"Reflexology – the Hidden Gem to Help Combat Stress", was submitted 12/28/2011 under category Wellness and Diet.
Reflexology stress exercise ocal health club and gym