Can our feet tell a story?
If you’re looking for an alternative to pain medication, reflexology may be an option.
Reflexology feels like a blissful foot massage, but also delivers sneak-attack therapy to the rest of you.
You can think of it as an alternative to acupuncture without all those pesky needles.
Reflexology is an ancient alternative medical practice used throughout history with archeological evidence dating back to use in Egypt 2330 BC and is offered in spas as well as in the complementary alternative medicine departments in some of our nation’s finest hospitals.
Reflexology involves the rhythmic massage of reflex points on your feet that correspond to your organs and systems. Pressure is applied using the fingers and thumbs to feel for metabolic waste, tenderness, or general disorder and to facilitate a physiological response in the body. If there is a disorder, the waste is gently removed so that the actual organ or system can start to self-heal.
The primary role that reflexology plays in pain therapy is to address the root cause of the pain by detailing the reflex to the affected area, as well as to allow you to relax to lower stress levels and release the body’s natural pain killer - endorphins.
It’s important to point out that reflexology is not limited to the feet—there are “reflexology points” on the hands as well—although it is commonly thought of as a foot-oriented approach.
Many patients may get the full therapeutic benefit from just one appointment or they may need a series of treatments. To complement a reflexology session, I recommend clients use Topricin Pain Relief and Healing Cream to enhance their treatment results. (Product information is available in the Med Shed at www.homecareforyou.com.)
Although reflexology can play a part in pain therapy, it may only be appropriate for certain types of pain such as headaches, sinus issues, digestive problems, insomnia, female infertility, weight control, etc. There are some contraindications to reflexology and they include: fever, open sores on the feet, flu symptoms, pregnancy, osteoporosis, vascular issues, and some mental health issues.
If a patient feels ill in any way, it is best to reschedule the appointment to a later day because if your body is trying to contain a virus, reflexology or massage may spread it through lymph activity.
Tips for choosing a reflexology practitioner
“Quite a few people do a little foot massage and call themselves reflexologists, so ask about credentials. Those of us who love what we do and received the proper training before beginning our practices will stand out from the crowd. You will know a practitioner is right for you when you have energetic response upon meeting him/her.
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"Can our feet tell a story?"
authored by:
Debbie Burklund is a certified reflexologist at Real Reflexology located in Woodstock, N.Y. and New York City. To learn more about Debbie, go to http://www.realreflexology.com....
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