Why Therapeutic Reflexology is good for you

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Reflexology is a non-invasive treatment performed on the feet and sometimes on the hands. This holistic therapy uses manipulation with pressure of varying degrees. The art of reflexology must not be confused with a basic foot massage or general body massage. Reflexology focuses on areas of the feet that correspond with all body parts. The pressure applied during reflexology stimulates the movement of energy along the pathways, through the use of a specific finger and thumb massage technique. The relationship between you and your practitioner is significant, as this is an important aspect of the healing process. The practitioner aims to 'kick start' the client's natural healing process. The body is programmed to naturally heal itself and this is an ongoing process whether it is a cut, bruise or broken bone. The body's systems al work together to ensure this happens to maintain balance and maximum effect and when one system is running not as effectively as it should be the other systems work harder to compensate and try to achieve balance. The treatment provides benefit to clients, with both emotional and physical conditions with the aim to promote natural healing of body, mind and spirit to bring about a state of poise. The Benefits of Reflexology Easing Pain Reflexology can act as a form of pain control. There are two ways that reflexology can do this. Firstly by encouraging the body to produce endorphins, which are the body's own natural painkiller. By stimulating the pituitary gland reflex during the reflexology treatment it increases the amount of endorphins released into the body. Also by interrupting the pain cycle through the application of pressure to the feet. Terminal Illnesses Reflexology is not capable of removing the cause of the disease; it can help reduce the pain and discomfort, helping to make the patient more comfortable. The treatment can assist in helping the patient's general condition by stimulating the excretory system, respiratory system and working on muscle spasms and tension and revitalising energy throughout the body Preventive Treatment Like most people we wait until a condition has developed before we go to get treatment or seek help. Naturally if would be more sensible to take action early when the warning signals start. By calming the mind and body and taking time to relax, and finding the time for an occasional visit to the reflexologist can prove to be of great benefit. Some people even use a preventive therapy to prevent a condition re-emerging, to maintain a balanced state and symptoms reoccurring. The lymphatic system is stimulated through reflexology, thus helping to reduce the risk of infection. By cleansing the body of toxins and impurities, and by stimulating the production of endorphins, it improves the immune system and providing a sense of well being. Reflexology and Stress When our defences are down and we become stressed through the application of reflexology to the hands and feet. It is the hands and feet that set the tension level for the rest of the body and this can be easily interrupted through these techniques generating deep relaxation, allowing healing energy to flow and resetting the body's homeostasis. Many disorders are stressed related and increasing numbers of people are suffering from stressed related conditions. The severity of these conditions and the effect of stress vary with each individual. Some of the most common affects of stress include hypertension, ulcers, indigestion, constipation, IBS, headaches or migraines, palpitations, panic attacks and depression with some of the more severe effects being heart attack and coronary thrombosis. Stress causes tension and therefore causes muscles to tighten up, thus effecting the nervous systems, which causes the pain. Blood vessels then constrict so the blood cannot flow so freely round the body carrying the oxygen and nutrients. The effects of the reflexology treatment induces the relaxation of muscles, relaxing physical tension so the nervous system can function normally, thus benefiting the other systems in the body. Other affects include: • Blood vessels relax, so the oxygen and nutrients can be carried freely around the body by the blood to all the tissues. • The lymphatic system works more effectively, helping to rid the body of toxins and impurities. • Breathing becomes more even and deeper. • Balancing hormone levels. • Revitalising the client, so they feel uplifted, calm, relaxed, balanced and re-energised. Circulation It's important that the blood in our body's flow freely around to all the cells, which make up the tissues, carrying nutrients and oxygen and removing waste products and carbon dioxide. When we become stressed and tense we tighten up the cardiovascular system, thus restricting the free flow of blood. Circulation therefore becomes, slow and not as effective. By helping to relieve the stress and tension, reflexology relaxes the whole body, allowing the blood supply to flow more freely. Cleansing and detoxifying the body It is believed that through reflexology it can improve the function of the lymphatic drainage system, cleansing and removing the toxins internally and stimulating the excretory systems. If these systems become blocked and do not function properly, the toxins and waste matter builds up. Through deepening relaxation, reflexology causes the systems to run more efficiently. A healthy running body is the same as a healthy running home, as you have to empty the garbage regularly at home. Stimulates the nervous system Nerves communicate messages from the central nervous system to all parts of the body. By stimulating nerve ending through reflexology, it encourages the neural pathways to allow messages to travel round the body freely to all the organs and systems of the body, so they all work effectively together. Relaxation By re-balancing the body and emotions, reflexology is a countermeasure to stress and induces relaxation and promotes a restful night sleep. You don't need to have a reason to have a reflexology treatment; the experience is pleasurable and can simply be given to revitalise the body. Also further benefits can include: • Back problems • Knee problems • Asthma • Muscle tension • Multiple Sclerosis • Insomnia • Menstrual problems • Menopause • Osteoporosis • Pregnancy • Arthritis • Bowel and Urinary conditions What Reflexology does not do? Reflexology is a complement to standard medical care. It should not be construed as medical advice. Reflexologists are not qualified to diagnose illnesses nor do they practice medicine or treat specific diseases. Although we do ask clients about specific conditions and aliments they suffer from, the reflexology treatment is not then proceeded as if to cure these problems. The therapist will locate the corresponding area in relation to the troubled area and spend extra time working on it, but this should not be viewed as a medical cure. Before your reflexology session you will have a consultation with your therapist to discuss your treatment. If you have a foot injury, blood clots, thrombosis, phlebitis or other vascular conditions, please speak to your specialist or GP before you have reflexology.