A year ago I had my first visit to a reflexologist. I’ve seen her every month since then, and my feet have never been happier! During that time I have not been sick at all.
Reflexology is more than just a foot massage; it’s the ancient Chinese practice of rebalancing chi, or the life energy that flows through the body via meridians. There are reflex zones on the soles of our feet that stimulate healing in other parts of our body. Overall, reflexology improves circulation, reduces stress and is a wonderful, preventative measure to good health. Here are five more reasons why you might want to try it.
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Balanced Hormones
Regular reflexology can help increase energy levels, stabilize moods, control eating habits and relieve menopausal issues. How does it do all that? Through the 7,000-plus nerve endings in the feet that connect to every system of the body. The stimulation of these nerve endings restores proper function and balance.
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Easier Pregnancy
Women who receive reflexology treatments tend to experience shorter labors and less symptoms of post-partum depression. They also require less pain medication. Many professionals report that—in conjunction with proper nutrition—reflexology can help improve fertility as well, if just for the fact that it places the body in a relaxed and receptive state.
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Improved Immunity
Reflexology stimulates the lymphatic system, which reduces the risk of infection and increases the body’s ability to fight illness. No wonder I haven’t been sick this year! It also clears toxins from the body, increases energy circulation to cells and stimulates the production of endorphins. And who doesn’t want more endorphins?
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Better Mental Health
Several studies have demonstrated that reflexology reduces depression and anxiety. With your body at rest, your mind can relax. And a relaxed mind is more open to positive thoughts of appreciation and gratitude. Those extra endorphins and increased energy levels also pave the way to better mental health.
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Pain Relief for Cancer Patients
Used alongside conventional cancer treatments, reflexology can help ease the pain and discomfort of chemotherapy including nausea, vomiting and anxiety. Because reflexologists believe pain and disease result from blockages of the main meridians (energy pathways), clearing those blockages interrupts pain pathways.
Are you ready to try it yourself? Read these tips on finding a reflexologist.
This post is featured on Thank Your Body Thursday.
Reflexology has very little to do with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Yes, you’ll end up stimulating acupuncture points, but doing that would be called “acupressure”, which is NOT reflexology. Reflexology zones and acupuncture points are not related. At all.
Although foot-rubbing has been around for thousands of years, reflexology that we know today was developed by Eunice Ingham in the 1930′s.
Please do your research before writing things that are inaccurate.
It looks like working the feet to affect health was practiced in many ancient cultures: http://www.reflexology-usa.net/history.htm
Thanks, Laura, for the info on Eunice Ingham. I did not realize she was the force behind modern reflexology.