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Reflexology is a technique in which
pressure is applied to specific points on the feet (and sometimes the hands) to
promote relaxation and improve overall health. Proponents of reflexology believe
that the foot surface contains a coded map of the entire body and that
particular points on the feet correspond to particular organs, glands, and body
systems. Pressing these points with the fingers and thumbs is thought to
encourage healthy functions in the corresponding areas of the body.
The precise origins of reflexology are
obscure, but ancient illustrations and other records reveal that Chinese,
Indian, and Egyptian peoples worked on the hands and feet to foster good health.
Modern reflexology grew out of a
technique known as "zone therapy," which was developed in the early 1900s by
American physician and ear, nose, and throat specialist William H. Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald claimed that applying gentle pressure to specific areas on the hands
and feet could trigger health benefits in corresponding "zones" of the body.
In the 1930s, Eunice Ingham, a
physical therapist and a colleague of Fitzgerald, took the therapy, further
postulating that working on just the feet (not the hands) was the best way to
affect the health of the rest of the body. Ingham contributed a crucial tool to
the discipline: She drew up detailed "maps" of the feet that showed exactly how
particular parts of the foot relate to other body parts. She found, for example,
that the toes correspond to the head and neck; that the balls of the feet
reflect the lungs, heart and chest; that points on the right foot relate to the
right side of the body and that points on the left foot relate to the left; and
so on. Charts based on her maps are still used by reflexologists today.
How Does It Work?
Exactly how reflexology works remains
unclear, although several possible explanations have been put forward. One is
that the body contains an invisible life force, or subtle energy, similar to the
concept of qi in
traditional Chinese medicine.
When this energy is blocked, illness can result. The nervous system provides a
"keyboard" to access, control, and release the subtle energy patterns. It is
thought that stimulating some of the more than 7,000 nerve endings on the foot
can unblock and increase the flow of this vital energy to various parts of the
body and thus promote healing. The reflexology theory is consistent with the
theory behind acupuncture and acupressure, in which mapped points on body parts
such as the ear or hand are treated to affect corresponding remote organs or
body zones.
A more conventional medical theory
suggests that the pressure exerted by reflexologists releases nerve transmitter
chemicals such as endorphins and monoamines, compounds that control pain.
What You Can Expect
When you see a reflexologist, you will
probably begin with a conversation about your general health and lifestyle. The
practitioner may inquire about chronic health problems or any issues that are
currently concerning you. You will then be asked to remove your shoes and socks
and to sit in a reclining chair or lie down on a padded table. The reflexologist
may show you a map of the foot that pinpoints specific areas--called reflex
points or reflex areas--that relate to other parts of your body.
At first, the practitioner will rub
your feet lightly for a few minutes to warm them up and feel for tense areas.
When an area of the foot feels taut and sensitive, that's a sign, practitioners
say, that the corresponding body part has an energy blockage. The reflexologist
will then focus on these tense areas for the duration of the session, which may
last from 30 to 60 minutes.
As a particular area of the foot is
pressed, you may feel a tingling sensation in the part of your body being
treated. The practitioner may use significant pressure, but the therapy should
never be painful. Any discomfort you feel should ease as the tension dissipates
under the practitioner's touch.
Treatments may be given once a week
initially and then taper off to an occasional basis. Once you learn where the
appropriate points are for your condition, you can perform reflexology on
yourself or have it done by a friend.
Health Benefits
Reflexology is recommended as an
adjunct therapy, and is never the main treatment for a condition. Proponents say
that it is particularly useful for stress-related conditions, including
headaches and digestive disorders. It may also be helpful for asthma and
irritable bowel syndrome, for easing symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome),
for skin conditions such as acne and eczema, and for chronic pain from
conditions such as sciatica and arthritis.
Although scientific evidence is
limited, a few studies have shown reflexology to be beneficial. In one study, 35
California women who suffered from PMS were divided into two groups. One group
received true reflexology and the control group got a sham treatment. The women
who received the real treatment reported a significantly greater decrease in PMS
symptoms.
In another study of 220 Danish
patients with tension or migraine headaches, 81% reported that reflexology
sessions reduced or cured their headache pain.
And, in yet another recent study, it
was found that breast and lung cancer patients experienced less anxiety after
reflexology. The breast cancer patients also experienced a decrease in pain.
How To Choose a Practitioner
The best way to find a good
reflexologist is to get a referral from your primary-care physician or from a
physical therapist or other bodyworker you know and trust. Massage therapists,
chiropractors, and podiatrists may practice reflexology as part of their
treatments. Insurance coverage may be available if the reflexology is practiced
by a physical therapist and you have a condition for which manual therapy is
covered by your plan.
While there are no state laws
regulating the practice of reflexology in the United States, there are training
programs that do provide certification. The American Reflexology Certification
Board (ARCB) in Littleton, Colorado, is one organization that certifies
reflexologists who undergo 100 hours of training and pass a licensing exam.
Cautions
1. Reflexologists are not qualified to diagnose or
treat specific diseases.
2. If you have a foot injury, blood clots,
thrombosis, phlebitis, or other vascular problems in your legs, talk to your
doctor before you have reflexology.
3. If you are pregnant or think you may be, speak
to your obstetrician before having a reflexology treatment. If you decide to
have a treatment, let the reflexologist know that you are pregnant.
4.
If you have a pacemaker, kidney stones, or gallstones, let the
reflexologist know before your treatment.
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