Reflexology - Relief from the Feet

by Linda Woods 

Imagine going to a toga party, shedding your shoes, sitting down behind someone, extending your foot and receiving a foot massage from them, as you massage the foot of the person behind you. Sound crazy? Not if you want an effective healing treatment. Colorful paintings depicted on Egyptian walls reveal that, even in ancient times, these foot massage parties were popular and well attended. The Egyptians believed that the human body was an intricate orchestra which could be tuned or played by manipulating reflex points on the feet. Today’s reflexologists believe the same thing. Reflexology is a method of manipulating these reflex points (nerve endings) in zones on the hands and feet that respond to reflex points in zones throughout the body.

For thousands of years, reflexology was practiced in China, India, and Japan, and now it’s the number one form of alternative care in Denmark. It’s also especially popular throughout Britain. The Bank of England has discovered that sick days of their employees are drastically reduced when they have a reflexologist on staff. And even the royal family has been reported to use reflexology treatments on a regular basis. But you don’t have to be a member of royalty, an employee of the Bank of England, or an Egyptian to benefit from this treatment. It’s great for anyone who wants to improve their overall health.

What can you expect in a session?

The goal of a reflexology session is to free “energy flow,” open blocked nerve pathways, and improve the blood supply to flush away toxins. In most cases, you’ll be asked to sit in a reclining chair or lie on your back on a massage table fully clothed (except for your feet). The reflexologist applies pressure to certain reflex points on the feet with special massage techniques using their thumbs, fingertips, and knuckles. According to the October 1998 edition of Natural Living Today: “reflexology has two phases: the exploratory phase and the implementation phase, (or to put it more simply, the how-does-this-feel stage and the fix-it phase). By sensitively observing the reactions of the patient, a good practitioner can determine which body parts are in proper working order and which are not.”

When receiving reflexology treatments, there may be a no-pain, no-gain aspect. Typically, the more tender the area, the more imbalance in the corresponding part of the body. I was surprised that the tips of my toes were so tender when I received a reflexology treatment from Helen Braddy (615 - 446-5027), a certified reflexologist from Dickson, TN, who I interviewed last year on my radio program. She told me that sensitivity in this area meant that I probably had problems with my sinuses. Another area that was surprisingly painful was the reflex point for my left shoulder. Helen pointed out that she was not offering a diagnosis, and that even though the first few sessions were sometimes painful, repeated treatments for a few weeks would usually cause the discomfort to subside and the problem to disappear.

How can reflexology help you?

According to www.reflexology-research.com: “Ten minute reflexology treatments can provide relief from pain, nausea and anxiety according to a report from the School of Nursing, Division of Science and Design, University of Canberra, Australia. Nurses at the school conducted an empirical study on the use of foot massage as a nursing intervention in patients hospitalised with cancer...87 patients participated in the study and each received a 10-minute reflexology foot massage (5 minutes per foot). The results revealed that the treatments produced a significant and immediate effect on the patients' perceptions of pain, nausea and relaxation when measured with a visual analog scale. The use of reflexology foot massage as a complementary method is recommended as a relatively simpler nursing intervention for patients experiencing nausea or pain related to the cancer experience. The results were so positive that the researchers recommend that further research using larger numbers of patients in controlled clinical trials into its effectiveness of reflexology in alleviating pain, nausea and anxiety in the management of these symptoms by the family at home is warranted."  Manipulation of these reflexes or pressure points can also help increase circulation, relieve pain, relax the muscles, and detoxify and cleanse the body. It can also possibly alert the practitioner to serious signs of disease.

Can you give yourself a treatment?

Some reflexologists don’t recommend it mainly because reaching for your own foot may impede circulation which can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Also, you need extensive training to be able to detect problem areas. But, if you’re curious and want to learn it on your own, download one of the foot reflexology charts on the internet, or pick up one at your local health food store. They are quite colorful and specifically outline the reflex points and their positions on each foot. If you have back pain, you can start by massaging the sides of the feet which correspond to the reflex points in the spine. The hands (although not as sensitive as your feet) also have reflex points and are much easier to work with. You can massage your fingers to ease congestion in your sinuses, or the palms of your hands to help relieve colon problems.

How can you learn more?

 For a list of interesting links to associations all over the world about reflexology, visit: http://www.reflexology.org

You can also get information there about training and licensure if you want to become a practitioner yourself.

         So whether you want to give yourself a reflexology treatment, receive a bona-fide session from a certified practitioner, or have your own Egyptian foot massage party, I hope it opens a new window to wellness.