Like most integrative therapies, reflexology was once thought of as ‘woo-woo’ or worse, a waste of time by many. And now thankfully it’s seen enough credible results and tangible outcomes to be welcomed into the realm of Western medicine as a rightfully respected and beneficial complementary treatment. I love incorporating reflexology with my clients because it’s non-invasive and it supports the body as a whole, helping to address underlying root causes of dis-ease as well as soothing side effects from medical interventions.
What is reflexology?
Known as an alternative medicine practice, reflexology has origins within ancient eastern healing modalities including Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Reflexology is a complementary treatment, so it works alongside traditional approaches and is not meant to replace them.
We usually think of reflexology as a treatment that involves working with the feet, and that’s how patients most commonly access it – but there are types of reflexology that work with the hands and ears, too. During a reflexology treatment pressure is applied to specific points across the feet in a gentle, targeted manner. Although you’ll have a brief consultation before your session to discuss your specific health concerns, many reflexologists work intuitively, and may also incorporate treatments with other holistic therapies such as reiki or massage.
How does reflexology work?
Rather than dealing with specific symptoms or areas of the body, reflexology focuses on systems instead, such as the digestive system, the respiratory system and the nervous system. This makes it a great all-round holistic treatment that can have some really profound clinical benefits.
Scientifically the jury’s still out on exactly how reflexology works, and how it helps to bring about positive outcomes for people with such a wide variety of mental and physical health conditions. Many holistic treatments tend to work with the unseen aspects of health and energy, which can be difficult to ‘prove’ or explore from a pragmatic, factual perspective.
According to Chinese medicine, reflexology aids the flow of qi (pronounced ‘chi’) around the body, helping to remove harmful blocks which can cause symptoms or add to health problems. Within TCM there are maps of the body showing the various acupressure points distributed throughout the body, including detailed maps of the feet. Reflexology practitioners use these as a guide to offer targeted relief for specific complaints and medical issues.
Modern science has attempted to better understand exactly how reflexology works, with preliminary research suggesting a link with the nervous system, whilst others believe it can be connected with something called zone theory. We’re still in the early stages of understanding the way the body processes pain and the influence of neurology and the nervous system on our overall mental and physical state. Whatever the specific reasons behind reflexology’s success, the results do speak for themselves, with patients reporting lower stress levels and anxiety, improved mood, enhanced energy and reduced pain.
What can reflexology help with?
Reflexology offers many exciting benefits, and I’ve seen it support so many people in lots of different ways. Reflexology is particularly powerful when you’re dealing with multiple heath conditions at once, or have chronic or autoimmune illnesses that come with a lot of different symptoms affecting many areas of the body or co-morbidities which complicate your health. Reflexology treats the body as a whole, so it supports both body and mind simultaneously.
Relaxation and stress reduction: Reflexology is a deeply relaxing treatment – and many people seek it out just for this benefit. There’s sufficient evidence to suggest that people generally cope better with the general stresses of life and their physical or mental health conditions when they are feeling grounded and stable emotionally, so this has far-reaching benefits for body and mind. When researchers reviewed 17 separate studies focused on the psychological effect of reflexology, they found that it boosted feelings of wellbeing and helped the participants to better manage their conditions. Reflexology also helps to ease stress-related muscle tension and associated pain.
Sleep: Sleep is crucial for all aspects of health – with well-documented issues associated with poor sleep quality and lack of sleep. Getting sufficient, healthy sleep is essential for pain management, mood regulation and hormone production – and it even affects how much we eat. Reflexology has been shown to help people struggling with insomnia or lack of sleep, and many of my patients often tell me they always sleep better after a session.
Digestive health and gut issues: Reflexology is often sought out by people who suffer from IBS in particular due to its soothing effect on digestive issues and discomfort. It can also help bring things back into balance after surgical interventions or if you have had a spell of IBS and IBD flares with troubling and persistent symptoms of diarrhoea or constipation.
Hormone balance and fertility: There’s extensive anecdotal evidence to suggest reflexology helps to bring hormones into balance, especially for women who are struggling with irregular or painful period or want to get pregnant. Reflexology can also be wonderful during the menopause (and particularly beneficial for cancer-induced menopause) to help soothe symptoms and support a stable mood.
Energy levels: When we feel sluggish and fatigued reflexology can help us to feel more alert and refreshed, through shifting stagnant energy or blockages. The deep rest we get during a reflexology treatment can also help to ease exhaustion.
Pain management: Pain is a big issue in today’s society – many people struggle with daily pain and chronic pain is more prevalent than ever before, whilst autoimmune conditions continue to rise. Reflexology has been shown in studies to help with pain relief and lower pain levels, but again scientific research is still quite limited.
Lymphatic drainage: Lymphatic drainage is absolutely essential in order to help us stay fit and healthy – and when we’re dealing with cancer or chronic illness it becomes more important to support this in-built waste disposal system. Reflexology can also help to ease water retention and puffiness around the face, legs and stomach.
Cancer support: I often use reflexology within my holistic oncology practice to help with chemotherapy side effects - in particular for peripheral neuropathy, nausea, constipation, pain and hormonal imbalance. Reflexology’s stress-soothing benefits can also help patients to cope with the worry and upset that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
It’s difficult to summarise all the wonderful ways reflexology can support our overall health and wellbeing in one list. These are some of the most high-profile, and there are many more amazing benefits associated with reflexology, from easing respiratory issues to better appetite.
For more information on reflexology or to book a session, please get in touch with me here: www.physiocareholistics.co.uk
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