LISTEN TO YOUR FEET TALK ………………………
Reflexology, or Zone Therapy,
Reflexology, or zone therapy, is the practice of stimulating points on the feet or hands.
The most common form is foot Reflexology, since feet being more sensitive in responding to pressure when applied to reflex points on a person’s foot/feet by the “Reflexologist “. The foot is believed by practitioners and participants to be divided into a number of reflex zones corresponding to all parts of the body.
"Reflexology” is a powerful natural health science that studies the relationship of the reflex areas in the feet and hands to the rest of the body so that these areas can be worked on with the fingers and thumbs in a manner that will lead to improved health and maintenance of good health and its also helping the “Reflexologist” for better diagnosis.
In Reflexology, it is believed that there is a "vital energy" that is circulating between organs of the human body that penetrates into every living cell. Whenever this energy is blocked, the zone of blockage will be affected, and the reflex zones can reflect the blockage of energy in different organs. Therefore, if someone has a problem in a particular organ, a Reflexologist will press on the corresponding reflex zone(s), and the person will experience pain. This pain is claimed to originate from the deposition of crystals in the reflex zone and, with massage, these crystalline structures can be broken down and the pain relieved. Simultaneously, the pressure applied to the reflex zones by the Reflexologist is claimed to pass through the nerves to dissipate energy blocks.
History
 Ancient Indian, Chinese, and Egyptians may have been the first to practice Reflexology. The earliest evidence of Reflexology study was found in a 4000 year old Egyptian tomb.
A wall painting found in the tomb of the highest official after the Pharaoh Ankmahor. The tomb is also known as the physicians tomb.
Crystals in Feet:
Crystal deposits have various theories including calcium crystals. Lactic acid crystals, uric acid crystals but their exact composition have never been chemically analysed! These deposits/crystals settle at the Reflex points and cause a blockage in the energy Zone. The massage causes them to be dispersed, therefore clearing the energy blockage!!
Zone therapy / Reflexology Practice
Hereunder is an example of a Reflexology chart, correlating areas of the feet with portions of the body. Pressure is applied on "reflex zones" found on the feet, hands, which are said to correspond to the different parts of the body. Application is done through thumb, finger and hand technique. Reflex areas, like hand and foot, composed of 7200 nerve endings are stimulated by pressure applied. An improved instruction to every gland, single part and organ of the body could be achieved by such a health science. The body is then believed to pursue a biologically correct, strengthened and reinforced state.
The image shows the reflex zones on the sole of the feet and are organised in a way that represents the whole body.
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Reflexology treatment
Before commencing a Reflexology treatment. The patient or client goes through a consultation with the practitioner. The “Reflexologist” then begins to work on the client's feet, or hands if necessary, noting problem areas. There may be discomfort in some places, but it is fleeting, and also an indication of congestion or imbalance in a corresponding part of the body. For most of the part, the sensation is pleasant and soothing. Reflexology can help relax the client and is believed to stimulate the body's own healing mechanisms. Usually a treatment session lasts for about one hour.
A course of treatment varies in length depending on the need of the client body. The Reflexologist will discuss this with the patient at the first session.
During treatment the client undergoes to such stages such as:
- A sense of well-being
- A sense of relaxation
- Fall asleep
- Client may feel like laughing or crying
- Experience a tingling sensation in the feet or through the body
- Pin stick type feelings in the feet over congested areas
- Temperature change either hot or cold
- Nausea
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After treatment, the client may experience symptoms such as:
Cold-like symptoms such as
- A running nose as catarrh and sinus congestion is cleared.
- A cough as mucus is cleared from the lungs and respiratory passages
- More frequent urination
- More frequent bowel movements
- Exceeds more thirst!!.....
- Flatulence
- Headaches
- Increased sweating
- Skin rash
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Please consult or advise your therapist prior therapy if any of the following is indicated.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS PRIOR TO REFLEXOLOGY TREATMENT
- Phlebitis/Thrombosis
- Contagious Diseases ( eg: athlete’s foot,verrucas,warts,impetigo/lesions on the feet)
- Cancer
- Pregnancy (during the first trimester)
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes (this can effect insulin levels)
- Clients taking medication ( GP advise should be sought)
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