Reflexology is a type of alternative therapy that has been used for centuries. As opposed to many types of conventional medical treatment, a reflexologist focuses on massaging parts of the feet and the hands in order to achieve results. In this article, well be reviewing some of the history of reflexology so that you can get a good idea of where the practice came from and where it is going.
Many feel that reflexology actually had its roots in ancient Egypt, as inscriptions found in the tombs of physicians appear to seem suspiciously like they pertain to reflexology. Experts in the field believe that the practice was taught to the ancient Egyptians by the Roman empire. Whatever the case, reflexology has been traditionally used in Asian countries, as well.
As far as modern day times go, reflexology was first brought to the publics attention around the year of 1917, when a man named Dr. William H. Fitzgerald published a book on Zone Theory, which contained many of the basic ideas that would lead to our modern understanding of reflexology. In the book, Fitzgerald stated that many of the problems that individuals have with pain are a result of a dysfunction of the body that can be aided via the manipulation of special pressure points or zones located throughout the body. He stated that by manipulating one part of the body, another part of the body might feel an anesthetic effect. Fitzgeralds works would be improved upon in the 1930s by a woman named Eunice D. Ingham, a physical therapist who stated that the reflexes that were located within the feet mirrored the organs of the body to a large degree. This idea created much of the basis of modern reflexology as we know it today. She created a basic system that could be used for individuals to practice reflexology on themselves or on other people, creating the first uniform treatment plan of reflexology. She continued to spread her knowledge of the procedure, touring throughout the rest of her life to help to bring reflexology to the masses. To this day, many people continue to follow
These days, more and more people are beginning to see the merits that reflexology can offer when it comes to helping to get over various symptoms. Hospitals and HMOs have begun to employ reflexology practitioners in order to provide a more complete service for their patients. Some insurance companies have begun to cover reflexology therapy on their plans, a clear sign that the procedure can be of merit when it comes to helping individuals to overcome problems with both the body and the mind. For all that we know about the procedure, however, there is still a lot that we have to learn. While we know that reflexology can be effective for treating problems, there are many conflicting viewpoints regarding exactly how the procedure works. The number of reflexology practitioners in the United States and abroad continues to grow, and in the future, we will hopefully have some better indications of how the reflexology procedure works to help the body so we can make the procedure even more useful than it already is.

Reflexology is a type of alternative therapy that has been used for centuries. As opposed to many types of conventional medical treatment, a reflexologist focuses on massaging parts of the feet and the hands in order to achieve results. In this article, well be reviewing some of the history of reflexology so that you can get a good idea of where the practice came from and where it is going.
Many feel that reflexology actually had its roots in ancient Egypt, as inscriptions found in the tombs of physicians appear to seem suspiciously like they pertain to reflexology. Experts in the field believe that the practice was taught to the ancient Egyptians by the Roman empire. Whatever the case, reflexology has been traditionally used in Asian countries, as well.
As far as modern day times go, reflexology was first brought to the publics attention around the year of 1917, when a man named Dr. William H. Fitzgerald published a book on Zone Theory, which contained many of the basic ideas that would lead to our modern understanding of reflexology. In the book, Fitzgerald stated that many of the problems that individuals have with pain are a result of a dysfunction of the body that can be aided via the manipulation of special pressure points or zones located throughout the body. He stated that by manipulating one part of the body, another part of the body might feel an anesthetic effect. Fitzgeralds works would be improved upon in the 1930s by a woman named Eunice D. Ingham, a physical therapist who stated that the reflexes that were located within the feet mirrored the organs of the body to a large degree. This idea created much of the basis of modern reflexology as we know it today. She created a basic system that could be used for individuals to practice reflexology on themselves or on other people, creating the first uniform treatment plan of reflexology. She continued to spread her knowledge of the procedure, touring throughout the rest of her life to help to bring reflexology to the masses. To this day, many people continue to follow
These days, more and more people are beginning to see the merits that reflexology can offer when it comes to helping to get over various symptoms. Hospitals and HMOs have begun to employ reflexology practitioners in order to provide a more complete service for their patients. Some insurance companies have begun to cover reflexology therapy on their plans, a clear sign that the procedure can be of merit when it comes to helping individuals to overcome problems with both the body and the mind. For all that we know about the procedure, however, there is still a lot that we have to learn. While we know that reflexology can be effective for treating problems, there are many conflicting viewpoints regarding exactly how the procedure works. The number of reflexology practitioners in the United States and abroad continues to grow, and in the future, we will hopefully have some better indications of how the reflexology procedure works to help the body so we can make the procedure even more useful than it already is.

Foot reflexology is not foot massage. The distinct difference is that foot massage is ultimately to benefit the feet and reflexology is not. Massage therapy is applied to the whole body for the purposes of local muscular relaxation, to improve circulation and to reduce muscle tension. Reflexology is applied to the reflex points in the feet, hands or ears using specific hand and finger techniques in order to affect the corresponding body part or organ.

Although reflexology is proven to be beneficial for a multitude of problems, your reflexologist cannot diagnose or claim to cure any diseases. They are not medically trained. Reflexology is meant to bring your body to a state of well-being. Only in this state is your body able to heal itself. If your body is full of toxins, your immune system is severely compromised, making you much more likely to succumb to sickness.

So what can you expect at a reflexology treatment? The reaction to a reflexology session varies greatly from person to person. Your therapy session will begin with a questionnaire or one on one question and answer session. This is, of course to get your personal history and determine where your therapy should be most concentrated. For example, if you are going in suffering from frequent migraines and neck pain, your reflexologist will concentrate on the areas of the feet and sometimes the hands, in areas that deal with the head and neck. Of course, you will be treated in all areas of the feet. In order to bring your body to a state of well-being, you must detoxify your organs and this is exactly what happens during reflexology therapy.

After the initial interview, your ears, feet and hands will probably be thoroughly looked over for discolorations and tender spots. According to the theories reflexology stems from, these things can be warning signs that correlating body parts are not functioning, as they should.

Reflexology should not be painful (overall). The reflexologist does apply firm pressure deep enough to reach the reflexes, however the feeling mimics a deep tissue massage. If sensitivity is felt, it is an indicator of where tension is in the body, and that is a good thing. Without locating these areas, you cannot take care of the problem. The areas that show the most sensitivity usually form a pattern that corresponds to the medical condition reported before the therapy.

The reflexologist should work within your comfort level and if not, find another one. Reactions, which may occur between sessions, are usually mild and last only a day or two. In actuality, this is a good thing, as it indicates the body is returning to a state of balance and is eliminating the toxins the therapy released. Overall, clients usually feel energized and naturally more positive after a reflexology session.

Success with reflexology depends on the level of commitment you are willing to contribute. The more often you go for therapy, the more energized you will feel and longer lasting results you will have.

Reflexology is a certain type of alternative treatment that many people choose to undergo in order to help them to feel better from suffering from many different symptoms. It is quite unique in terms of its methodology; reflexology is often performed by a practitioner who massages certain areas of the feet and the hands in the hopes that a different part of the body will be affected. Reflexology charts are used in order to determine which areas of the feet and the hands pertain to which parts of the body. Many people wonder about exactly how effective reflexology can be in terms of treating illness, so in this article, well study some research that has been conducted in the past in order to determine if reflexology is a practice that is worthy of your time.
Traditionally, reflexology has been practiced in Asia for centuries. One study that has been conducted in order to weigh the efficiency of reflexology was the China Reflexology Symposium Report, which was composed in 1996. Over eight thousand separate cases of reflexology treatments were consulted in order to draft the report, and the findings stated that reflexology massage involving the feet was useful almost ninety four percent of the time for treating sixty three different types of disorders. The report further stated that approximately forty eight percent of all of the cases that were examined resulted in the condition being completely cured by reflexology, while in about forty five percent of the cases, the symptoms were improved but not completely healed.
A separate study, conducted in Britain involved the study of fifteen different women who received half-hour long reflexology treatments for a period of eight weeks. After the study was completed, it was shown that the women that were test subjects stated that they had noticed physical and emotional improvements in their life, with an increased sense of self esteem and a better sense of concentration.
Many other studies have been conducted across the world, many of which have stated that reflexology has marked benefits for the individuals who are partaking in it. A study conducted by the American Cancer Society Journal showed that approximately one out of three individuals with cancer underwent reflexology therapy as an alternative form of medicine. Studies in Australia and South Africa have shown that reflexology can be a useful methodology for an anesthetic effect when an individual has arthritis, neck or back pain, or headaches. Other studies have measured reflexologys efficiency when it comes to helping diabetics to reduce their insulin levels as well as blood flow to the feet.
Without a doubt, reflexology has been proven to be useful for many different problems that people can have with their health. More studies will be conducted in the future as we continue to learn more about this exotic alternative therapy. If you are thinking about visiting a reflexologist, be sure that you do as much research as possible in order to discover exactly how the therapy can be of benefit to you.

Although reflexology is proven to be beneficial for a multitude of problems, your reflexologist cannot diagnose or claim to cure any diseases. They are not medically trained to do so. The practice of reflexology is meant to bring your body to a state of well-being. Only in this state is your body able to heal itself and perform at an optimal level. If your body is full of toxins, your immune system is severely compromised, making you much more likely to succumb to sickness and disease.

Once you have made the decision to visit a trained reflexologist, you may be wondering what you can expect from him or her. You may also be asking yourself, what if I am embarrassed about my feet, or my feet are ticklish, how will I be able to handle the therapy? All of these are viable questions.

As far as the appearance of your feet, dont worry about them. All feet are different and there is nothing to be ashamed about. The only possible thing that might come up in direct relation to the appearance of your feet may be if you have a severe problem with corns or the like. In this case, your reflexologist may recommend treatment options.

Ticklish feet are not usually a problem for a reflexologist. Once pressure is applied, the sensation will quickly turn from a tickle to massage and you should be ok. Very, and I mean very few people that claim to have ticklish feet are unable to go through with the therapy.

Your therapy session will begin with a questionnaire or one on one question and answer session. This is, of course to get your personal history and determine where your therapy should be most concentrated. For example, if you are going in suffering from frequent migraines and neck pain, your reflexologist will concentrate on the areas of the feet and sometimes the hands, in areas that deal with the head and neck. Of course, you will be treated in all areas of the feet. In order to bring your body to a state of well-being, you must detoxify your organs and this is exactly what happens during reflexology therapy.

After the initial interview, your ears, feet and hands will probably be thoroughly looked over for discolorations and tender spots. According to the theories reflexology stems from, these things can be warning signs that correlating body parts are not functioning, as they should.

At this point the therapy will begin. It will usually start with rubbing of the ears, hands or feet and then will turn into pressing. It closely mimics acupuncture, but without needles. By pressing in certain areas of the feet, hands and even the ears, the brain will send signals and release neurochemicals to stop pain and relieve tension.

Probably one of the biggest expectations is the relaxation factor. It is true; you will become very relaxed during the therapy. Believe it or not, some people even fall asleep. It is one of the single most powerful ways to relax and eliminate stress in your body. Once you try it you will be a believer, furthermore you will be hooked.

Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, including the brain, the optic nerve, and the spinal cord. It affects people mainly over the age of 30 and appears to affect more women than men. Over 400,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with MS. The underlying cause of MS is not known, however stress and malnutrition often precede the onset of the disease. Another theory, one that I tend to agree with is that it is caused by food allergies and intolerances to things such as dairy products, gluten and food additives.

In the early stage of the disease, the symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, blurred or double vision, loss of coordination, tingling and numbness, muscle stiffness, slurred speech, tremors and bowel and bladder dysfunction. Secondary symptoms, usually as the disease progresses, include paralysis, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections and weak respiration.

Most people diagnosed with MS end up on drugs to control the symptoms associated with the disease. Unfortunately, this does nothing but mask the problem and does nothing to get to the root of the problem. The good news is that supplementation; dietary intervention and complimentary therapies such as reflexology have been shown effective in many studies.

Reflexology aims to prevent or treat health conditions through the application of pressure to specific points reflexes on the feet. The underlying idea of reflexology is that areas of the feet correspond to other parts of the body, and by stimulating those areas; you can heal and detoxify any part of the body. Becoming more common these days is to also apply pressure to the hands, ears and even the face.

Although reflexologists cannot diagnose or claim to cure a sickness or disease, the results speak for themselves, making it one of the most sought after treatments today. In fact, celebrities pay an arm and a leg for just a few minutes of reflexology. Not only is it beneficial as a tool for relaxation and stress relief, but it is also an effective tool for improving circulation; relieving pain, and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. In fact, many people with illnesses such as allergies; chronic sinus problems; acid reflux; acne; migraines; PMS; menopause; insomnia; fertility problems and even arthritis have been helped tremendously by reflexology treatments. I started using reflexology therapy a few years ago just for the purpose of relieving the tension headaches I was experiencing due to stress. I can attest to the fact that it works, as I have been successful at curing my headaches without the use of drugs ever since.

Reflexology has made its mark in the world of alternative therapies because it works. If you doubt that reflexology works, try it and see the results for yourself. Once you try it you will be a believer and most importantly, you will be hooked for life. Find yourself a good reflexologist, or better yet, learn the techniques for yourself. Having the knowledge to treat yourself and your family is one of the smartest things you can do. When used with your conventional medicine, it may just alleviate the symptoms that have stopped you from living your life well.

When it comes to receiving medical treatment, more and more people are turning away from western medicine in order to reap benefits from alternative forms of therapy. Reflexology is one of these alternative types of treatment, and in this article, well attempt to give you a better understanding of why individuals may choose to visit a reflexologist.
The American Medical Association has stated that a full eighty five percent of all forms of illness that are reported by individuals are due to a stress problem. Reflexology helps to correct these underlying stress problems so that the individual can get better. There are thousands upon thousands of nerve endings located in the feet, and to that end, the massage of the area can be immensely useful when it comes to helping the body to remove any pent-up-stress in the body. Once the body is completely relaxed by reflexology treatment, practitioners contend that the healing can finally begin. Circulation is improved during a reflexology session and stress is lifted, allowing the body to begin a state of rest.
Many people fear visiting the doctor, either because a trip to the doctor might be too pricy or merely because they are wary of western medicine. Reflexology provides a non-pharmaceutical type of assistance to many different types of problems which may be why it is so appealing to people worldwide. Many people state that reflexology can be immensely useful when it comes to helping them to control their pain. Cancer patients often turn to reflexology since it has anesthetic properties that can help to relieve pain without the need for any outside form of drug. Studies that have been conducted have conclusively shown that reflexology massage can be useful when it comes to reducing the pains that pregnant women experience before or during labor. Reflexology is also a very accessible type of treatment, as you can learn the practice in your own home if you so desire. To that end, a trip to the doctors office would not need to be made if you were dealing with a problem that reflexology can assist with. Also, regular reflexology sessions can help you to promote your health in general which may be an efficient way of safeguarding yourself against future forms of illness. Many also report that repeated sessions of reflexology therapy are useful for increasing their energy levels and improving their concentration. Without a doubt, reflexology can be a great type of complementary therapy. While its no substitute for western medicine when it comes to some health problems, it can be immensely helpful when it comes to dealing with others. Reflexology has been shown in studies to decrease such exotic symptoms as bed-wetting, clearly illustrating just how useful it can be. It improves blood supplies to the muscles as well as assisting the nervous system in numerous ways. Reflexologists can be found in most major metropolitan areas, so do your research and consider consulting one! You may find it to be quite the rewarding experience for both your body and mind.

Reflexology is a type of alternative, complementary medicine that many people have heard of but few really understand. In this article, well help you to increase your understanding of the topic of reflexology so that you can better realize whether or not the types of benefits that the treatment can offer are the right solution for you. We will address some of the more commonly asked questions about the reflexology procedure so that you will know what to expect should you decide to visit a reflexology practitioner.
Question: What types of symptoms is reflexology the most helpful for?
Answer: Many people find that reflexology can be a great relief when it comes to lessening the stress levels that they are feeling. Since there are a full seven thousand and two hundred nerves located in the feet alone, manipulating these nerves can be helpful when it comes to interrupting stress systems in the body, therefore making the patient feel much more relaxed and yet energetic. While stress relief is one of the principle reasons for why an individual may turn to reflexology, people also claim that it can be helpful when it comes to curbing feelings of anxiety, PMS, and even migraine headaches. As a complementary therapy to western medicine, reflexology can be quite helpful in putting the body, as well as the mind, at ease.
Question: How often do I need to visit a reflexologist in order to receive the fullest benefits?
Answer: While you can experience positive effects after just one session of reflexology, many experts from China agree that in order to achieve the best possible results, one should engage in reflexology once per day for six days. After two weeks, the patients progress should be measured, and at that point, another two weeks of therapy may be recommended. The standard reflexology session tends to last around thirty minutes to an hour, and typically requires only the removal of the shoes and socks, although some massage therapists choose to incorporate reflexology into a traditional chair massage.
Question: Where can I find a reflexologist?
Answer: There are plenty of reflexology practitioners located across the United States and abroad. Many hospitals are now offering reflexology treatments, and insurance companies are even beginning to cover the treatment. To that end, you may want to speak to your family doctor in order to ask their professional opinion on where you should turn for reflexology therapy.
In this article, weve addressed the types of problems that reflexology can treat, as well as giving you advice on how exactly you should find a reflexologist that is qualified in your area and the length of time that is generally required in order to reap the full benefits of the complementary therapy. Hopefully, this increased understanding will be helpful when it comes to deciding whether or not you are in need of a reflexology session program. As with any type of therapy, it pays to do your research, so learn all that you can about reflexology before making a decision on whether or not it is right for you.

Any number of things can trigger a migraine in a susceptible person, including allergies, constipation, low blood sugar, stress, liver malfunction, too much or too little sleep, emotional changes, hormonal changes, sun glare, flashing lights, lack of exercise and changes in barometric pressure. Most people that suffer from migraine headaches take medication often, which is unfortunate. There are many natural ways to treat and prevent migraines, and it doesnt involve prescription and non-prescription drugs.

Dietary recommendations

Adopt a diet that is low in simple carbohydrates and high in protein. Follow the dietary guidelines of the hypoglycemic diet.
Include almonds, almond milk, parsley, fennel, garlic, fresh cherries and fresh pineapple in your diet regularly.
Stay away from foods that contain the amino acid tyramine, which includes aged meats, bananas, beer, cabbage, canned meats, dairy products, eggplant, hard cheeses, potatoes, raspberries, plums, tomatoes, wine and yeast. Also eliminate all alcohol, aspirin, chocolate, MSG and nitrates.
Get massages regularly, which should include areas of the neck and back of your head, as well as reflexology for the feet.

Reflexology treatments

Reflexology is safe for everyone and proven effective. If you are not familiar with reflexology, it is the practice of strategically applying pressure to reflexes of the feet and hands as they correspond with specific body organs. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, we can stimulate blood flow, reduce stress and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. With this, many forms of sickness and disease can be reversed or at the very least, the symptoms can be effectively treated.

One of the most common uses for reflexology is for stress relief. In our fast paced society today, everyone is looking for a way to unload the stress of everyday life and for good reason. Stress is a silent killer. The effects of stress have been studied for quite some time and it is known that if you do not release stress from your body on a regular basis, it will eventually wreak havoc on your body in the form of one of many different sicknesses or diseases. Furthermore, stress can definitely be a factor in migraine headache development. Relieving stress is an important step in becoming well.

Although reflexologists cannot diagnose or claim to cure a sickness or disease, the results speak for themselves, making it one of the most sought after treatments today. In fact, celebrities pay an arm and a leg for just a few minutes of reflexology. Not only is it beneficial as a tool for relaxation and stress relief, but it is also an effective tool for improving circulation; relieving pain, and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. In fact, many people with illnesses such as allergies; chronic sinus problems; acid reflux; acne; migraines; PMS; menopause; insomnia; fertility problems and even arthritis have been helped tremendously by reflexology treatments. I started using reflexology therapy a few years ago just for the purpose of relieving the tension headaches I was experiencing due to stress. I can attest to the fact that it works, as I have been successful at curing my headaches without the use of drugs ever since.

In the fast paced society that we live in today, I highly recommend that you take a time out for yourself each day. Better yet, I recommend taking time for your entire family to relax and unwind. It is a natural process that is highly ignored these days because everyone is so busy. Before long you will notice a big difference in how you see life and that you are able to manage your day so much better. Include your children and make it something that the children look forward to and enjoy. Create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere in a room they enjoy spending time in and make it a nightly routine to turn that room into a den of relaxation and peace by practicing reflexology therapy.

If you are unfamiliar with reflexology, here are the basics and how it can help you get control of your health. Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure in a strategic manner to reflexes of the feet and hands, and even the face and ears. Reflexologists see the hands and feet as an open door to the bodies systems. Each section of the feet and hands correlate to a specific organ. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, you can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding

Organs and systems of the body. And because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body, and particularly for stress relief.

If you have children that get frequent colds or ear infections, reflexology can be extremely beneficial. Did you know that Americans spend more than one billion dollars every year on nonprescription medicines for coughs and colds? The bad news is that these products provide temporary relief and in no way address the root of the problem.

If you are curious as to what types of problems reflexology can alleviate, here is a list I have compiled. Keep in mind that it is just a sample list and in no way represents everything that reflexology can benefit.

A Note about Ear Infections: There are many ways to cure an ear infection without the use of antibiotics; one of those methods is reflexology. In my opinion, antibiotics are prescribed way too much. I have cured my own kids ear infections quickly and easily. In fact, I even wowed my doctor a few times.
Teething pain
Asthma
Colic-There is documented studies that proved reflexology could virtually eliminate the symptoms associated with colic.
Allergies
Childhood & adult eczema
Stress-Reflexology is known for the relaxation factor. If you have suffered from a stressful day at work, one of the best things you can do for your body is have a reflexology treatment. It is one of the best things you can do for your family. A relaxed family is a happy family!
Sports related injuries
Respiratory infections
Depression and other emotional problems
Hyperactivity & auditory problems
Learning and concentration challenges
Acne and psoriasis
Migraine, tension and cluster headaches
Menopause
Insomnia
Acid reflux & digestive disorders