Guide to Reflexology

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As our daily lives become more hectic, natural methods to reduce stress and prevent illness are growing in popularity. Reflexology is one such alternative method of rebalancing your body from the outside.

What Is Reflexology?

Reflexology is an alternative healing technique that focuses on the feet. Your feet are home to hundreds of nerve endings. Reflexology is based on the principle that these nerve endings—called zones or reflex areas—correspond to all the different glands, organs, and internal and external systems of the human body. Reflexology practitioners believe that applying pressure to these reflex areas can restore health in the corresponding organs and parts of the body.

How Reflexology Works

All reflexologists share the same core belief about how reflexology helps the body heal. They believe that the body becomes imbalanced when it is under stress or fighting illness. These imbalances can cause the body to become sicker and unable to combat stress. When reflexologists use their hands to twist, rotate, wring, stretch, or press certain points on a patient’s feet, they heal the corresponding body parts.

There are several different theories on how reflexology works:

Does Reflexology Work?

Studies have been done to try to quantify the positive effects of reflexology, but it is not a scientifically proven healing method. Nonetheless, it is safe, preventative, gentle, and noninvasive, and many patients find that it can enhance overall health. Always keep in mind that reflexology is not intended as—and should not be used as—a substitute for conventional medical care.

Benefits of Reflexology

Reflexology is used to maintain general health, relieve specific symptoms and ailments, and alleviate some of the discomforts of pregnancy.

Maintenance of General Health

Every day, we are exposed to damaging factors in our living environments, from air and water pollutants to chemical food additives. These factors can stress the human body, compromising the immune system and potentially leading to illness. Practitioners believe that reflexology helps prevent illness by creating a feeling of relaxation in the body and reducing stress, prompting the immune system to respond by returning to a state of equilibrium. Reflexologists believe that a balanced immune system prevents illness and that the body’s systems function optimally when the body is in a relaxed state.

Treatment of Acute and Chronic Conditions

Reflexology eases distress caused by acute and chronic conditions such as:

Reflexology and Pregnancy

Reflexologists believe that pregnant women can benefit from reflexology on both a physical and an emotional level. During pregnancy, weight gain can cause pain and discomfort in the feet and legs, and digestion can be disrupted. Reflexology can help ease discomfort by:

Although it has not been scientifically proven, reflexologists believe that stimulating the pituitary gland reflex point in the feet releases the hormone oxytocin, which reduces pain and increases the speed of labor. If you choose to have reflexology treatments during your pregnancy, ask the following questions:

After you have given birth, reflexology may aid in reducing soreness. Some reflexologists also believe that treatments may help with postpartum depression.

The Reflexology Session

Each session is tailored to the individual, so treatments vary in length, but an average session lasts about 45 minutes. At the start of the session, you will remove your shoes and socks and sit in a reclining chair. The reflexologist may clean your feet with warm water and antiseptic and will check for cuts or any sensitive areas. A reflexologist is trained to analyze your overall health based on your feet, so she will examine your feet to get an idea about your physical and mental health, looking for:

Next, the reflexologist will warm up your feet, following a variety of steps including:

After your feet are warmed up, the reflexologist may place a warm towel over your feet.

Manipulation of the Feet

The next step in the session is the manipulation of the feet. Your reflexologist will move his hands down your feet in order to learn about your major body parts.

General Exam

Starting with your right foot, the reflexologist will begin by pressing the toes and then moving down the feet to the heel.

After this general examination, your reflexologist’s movements will become more specific and focus on the body parts (arms, hips, legs, etc.) and the body’s systems (circulatory, pulmonary, etc.). Many of the reflexes overlap, guaranteeing a thorough treatment of all systems and anatomy.

Treatment of Specific Problems

If you have a specific problem, such as headaches or asthma, your reflexologist will zero in on the specific reflexes that trigger healing. If you have injuries to your feet, your reflexologist may choose a hand, ear, or face reflexology treatment instead.

Wrap-Up

After the treatment is complete, your reflexologist will perform a warmdown massage, using movements similar to the warmup. These foot massage techniques are intended to help you focus on your energy and how you feel. You will then have as much time as you need to gather your belongings and get ready to leave. The reflexologist may offer you something to drink, such as fruit juice or water.

How the Treatment Will Feel

During and after your reflexology treatment, you may experience the following sensations:

After your reflexology treatment, you may experience a variety of feelings and sensations, such as:

Be sure to share your feelings with your reflexologist. With each appointment, your reflexologist should be able to detect changes and new issues. Reflexologists recommend that after each session you drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Exercise and a healthy diet will prolong the benefits of each treatment.

How Often Should You Go?

When and how often you go to the reflexologist will vary depending on what you and your reflexologist decide. At the end of the first session, you should set a course for treatment with your reflexologist.

Treatment Series

Once you’ve had three or four sessions, you’ll get an idea about how your system is responding to the reflexology treatments. Though the best course of treatment would be to do a modified session daily, most reflexologists recommend a full session once a week for about six to eight weeks. After the first eight weeks, sessions are reduced to twice a month and finally, to once a month. At this point, you and your reflexologist will reevaluate how you feel and whether or not to continue treatments. If you are ill, you might want to consider a gentler regime—twice a week for 30 minutes—that is ongoing.

Long-Term Benefits

As part of a healthy lifestyle, you may want to consider having a series of reflexology treatments annually. The lasting effects of reflexology treatment will vary but may include:

Everyone’s reaction to reflexology is different; your reflexologist will help you find the most beneficial treatment.