Are you ready for a change of direction that ignites a life of passion and great success that permeates into your professional and personal life?
Let me share about the ancient modality of reflexology and how it can be used to empower your health and that of your clients too.
Reflexology is based on the principle that certain parts of the body, such as the feet, hands and ears, reflect the whole body like a map in miniature. These parts of the body are comprised of so-called “reflex points”, which relate to all organs, glands and body parts. For example, the toes represent the head and the ball of the foot represents the chest and lung region. The reflex points respond to pressure and touch, having a relaxing and balancing effect on the whole organism, and promoting health by stimulating the body's own natural healing process.
It’s suitable for all ages and may bring relief from a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. And of course, we all love and crave caring, nurturing touch! The healing power of touch has been well documented over the ages.
Touch applied via the feet and hands is particularly well received as it is totally non-invasive and requires the recipient to remove only their shoes and socks (and how easy is that!). I used to work at the markets with Reflexology for many years and saw uncountable people having such a great experience. And who doesn’t like getting their feet massaged after walking around town all day?!
But wait! Reflexology is way more than a simple foot massage. Its benefits reach far beyond that and they are long lasting.
Some benefits of Reflexology are of a more general nature, balancing and restoring systems for better function, and some are quite specific, addressing the client's particular conditions.
Here are 5 reasons reflexology could benefit your clients:
REASON 1
Relaxation & Stress-reduction – Reflexology balances the Nervous System
Stress is our internal response to external changes and challenges, whether real or imagined – it could be anything from deadlines at work, relationship issues or our minds freaking out from too much pressure and expectation.
Stress is something pretty much everyone experiences at some point during a busy day and we feel “stressed out”. Stress interferes with the function of the Nervous System, leading to a build-up of substances that irritate the nerve endings. Therefore, first and foremost, practitioners attribute Reflexology's successes to its stress-reducing effect. "The primary benefit of Reflexology is relieving stress and tension, which is the cause of over 75% of our health ills," says Byers, the nephew of Eunice Ingham (mother of the Reflexology modality we know today). Doctors implicate stress as a culprit in a multitude of health problems - from migraines and muscle spasms to back, shoulder and neck aches, to compulsive eating, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and sluggish immunity. So if your doctor diagnoses a stress-related problem, it is advised to head directly for a qualified Reflexologist. With ever increasing levels of stress, it is important people take more responsibility for their own health care needs.
REASON 2
Pain relief & reduction in inflammation – Reflexology increases well-being
Reflexology may work in the same way that acupuncture and acupressure do, prompting the body to produce the neurochemicals responsible for producing feelings of well-being, relieving pain and reducing inflammation throughout the body, says Bruce Pomeranz, M.D., Ph.D., neurophysiologist and professor at the University of Toronto School of Medicine and one of the world's foremost acupuncture researchers. Instead of inserting needles into acupoints on the body, Reflexologists apply pressure to points on the feet, ears and hands. So pressing a Reflexology point on the ear could well relieve pain by stimulating nerves which then trigger the release of painkilling neurochemicals in the brain, just as acupuncture does, says Dr. Pomeranz. Reflexology balances the energy flow in the meridians - leading to a general sense of wellbeing. By slowing nerve velocity, Reflexology calms the whole body. It interrupts pain pathways leading to reduced pain, and it stimulates the production of encephalins and endorphins - inducing a sense of euphoria and helping with pain relief.
REASON 3
Reflexology boosts lymphatic function, stimulates sluggish, congested systems & improves immunity
The lymphatic system flows in one direction only, toward the heart, with every lymphatic vessel beginning and ending in the hands and feet. The purpose of the lymphatic system is to cleanse and purify the body as well as lubricating the muscles. A healthy person’s body will rid itself of at least eight pounds of toxic waste per day through the four channels of elimination: kidneys, bowels, skin and the breath. A weak flowing or congested lymphatic system cannot assist in the essential daily cleansing of the body, resulting in ill health and disease. Reflexology leads to a reduction in tissue swelling, reducing oedema and toxicity. An improved lymph flow leads to an improved immunity and a reduced risk of infection.
REASON 4
Reflexology increases circulation, waste removal & detoxification
All body systems benefit from Reflexology, but you may notice the effect on your circulation, nervous and lymphatic systems in particular. Stress and tension can act like a tourniquet, wrapping around the body, squeezing so tightly that it causes a restriction of blood flow. Sometimes you might feel like you “can’t breathe” or “it takes your breath away”. Improving your blood supply allows improved transportation of nutrition, glucose and oxygen which the body needs to function and to regulate properly. By improving circulation, Reflexology increases nutrition and oxygen supply to cells and promotes the removal of waste products, assisting the body’s natural way of detoxification.
REASON 5
Reflexology promotes body awareness, vitality & health
Reflexology helps us to cope on a physical, mental and emotional level, thereby enhancing the body's natural healing process, improving sleep, increasing energy and vitality, and maintaining health in all areas of our lives. Relaxation is the first step to better health. Due to its profoundly relaxing nature, Reflexology can bring relief directly to the area of the body where tension is held, thereby easing and relieving symptoms. Regular sessions act as a type of preventative maintenance. Reflexology’s effect is cumulative - the more you do it, the better it works! Over a period of time, many medical conditions are relieved naturally.
Convinced?
If you’d like to go deeper into the ancient modality of Reflexology, even with no prior knowledge or natural health skills, take a look at The Footprint Connection’s Online Reflexology Course.
We all have feet that we walk around on.
Let's start looking after them and therefore ourselves to our full capacity!
Image credit: unknown Unsplash