Reflexology
Reflexology is a method for stimulating the reflexes in the feet to cause reactions in corresponding parts of the body. The reaction could best be described as relaxation or a return to equilibrium or homoeostasis.
With specific hand and finger techniques, reflexology causes responses in corresponding parts of the body. Relaxation is the first step to normalisation, the body’s return to a state of equilibrium or homoeostasis, where circulation can flow unimpeded and supply nutrients and oxygen to the body cells. With the restoration of homoeostasis, the body’s organs, which are actually aggregations of cells, may then return to a normal state or function as well. One’s state of health depends upon this ability to rebound to homoeostasis after a trauma or challenge such as injury, disease or stress.
The 7,200 nerve endings in each hand and each foot carry messages within the body to instruct it to function normally, or in a state of homoeostasis. These nerve endings are the main components to the workings of Reflexology. When the exercise of pressure is applied to the nerve endings in the foot, instructions to the body improve.
Reflexology helps to promote improved instruction between the nerve endings and the body. When the nerve improves, the instruction improves, and then the body improves. In essence, the Reflexologist is the facilitator of homoeostasis in the body.
Effects of Reflexology
Reflexology brings a natural state of balance when accumulated toxins are stimulated and excreted– thus relieving stress, tension and fatigue.
There are 10 energy zones which are focus points for detecting, through Reflexology, the underlying symptoms and disorders in the body.
Prevention is better than cure
Reflexology is a natural treatment and besides providing a calm and serene disposition, it can also indicate areas of disease. This can often be prevention, which is better than cure.
Reflexology is a therapy which deals with the principle that there are reflexes in the feet which relate to every organ and part of the body. The idea that the feet bear a map of the body dates back thousands of years.
Reflexology is a truly holistic treatment. We may remember how Irish mothers and families have massaged baby’s feet in their times, and now we find how and what Reflexology means in our day.
Feet have been mentioned several times in the Gospels and so many times depicted on Religious paintings. Mary Magdalene anointed the feet of Jesus. Can we believe that Mary Magdalene’s gesture of anointing has become a symbol of the art of Reflexology in our time?