Reflexology
Reflexology
treats the body, hands, feet, and ears by applying pressure to points
stimulates the body’s own healing system. A reflex action occurs in a
muscle or organ when it is activated by energy from a point of stimulus
on the body.
Archeological evidence in Egypt (2330 BCE), China
(2704 BCE), and Japan (690 CE) points to ancient reflexology medical
systems. In the West, the concept of reflexology began to emerge in the
19th century, based on research into the nervous system and reflex
points.
In general terms, the benefits of reflexology have to do
with the reduction of stress. Because the feet and hands help set the
tension level for the rest of the body, they are an easy way to
interrupt the stress signal and reset homeostasis, the body's
equilibrium.
The benefits of reflexology include:
- Relaxation
- Pain reduction
- Amelioration of symptoms for health concerns
- Rejuvenation of tired feet
- Improvement in blood flow
- Impact on physiological measures (e. g. blood pressure and cholesterol; measurements by ECG, EEG, and fMRI)
- Beneficial for post-operative recovery and pain reduction
- Enhancement of medical care (e. g., phantom limb pain, and hemodialysis patients
- Complement to cancer care (pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety)
- Adjunct to mental health care (e. g. depression, anxiety, post- traumatic stress disorder)
- Easier birth delivery and post-partum recovery