What Is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a special kind of massage wherein a specified amount of pressure is applied to prescribed reflex points of various body parts such as hands, feet, or ears. This treatment is based on a conception that these areas of reflex points, especially the ones that are on the foot, are associated with certain other body structures and is well known for evoking a self-healing response and also for accelerating the functionality of the nervous system. Reflexology therapy treatments have become a popular treatment for patients.

How Does Reflexology Vary From A Usual Foot Massage?

Though from the surface, they may seem quite similar to each other, in reality, Reflexology differs from a foot massage with regard to the potential benefits they offer. Usual massage therapy involves the relaxation of tissues or muscles and helps in stimulating blood circulation throughout the body.

Whereas, Reflexology retains a balance in the energy flow throughout the body by applying pressure on the reflex points and is hence, known to be a pressure-point massage and not just a foot massage. Several such massage therapy centers in Vancouver offer you to enjoy the benefits of this footwork reflexology.

How Does Reflexology Work?

There's a lot of confusion about how Reflexology exactly works, especially in scientific terminology. These are some of the following theories regarding its techniques of working:

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory

In the traditional Chinese theory of medicine, the main objective of Reflexology is to sustain an adequate balance of vital energy (known as qi) surging throughout the body systems to ensure healing.

An imbalance in the body could lead to illness, so it is believed that the flow of qi through the body will bring balance and make it disease-free.

Other Theories

The concepts of other reflexology theories vary in their ideologies up to some extent. Some of the theories believe in the soothing effect of Reflexology that reduces pain and enhances one's happiness, while others believe in the touch that calms down the nervous system.

Whereas the Zone theory proclaims that there are certain reflex zones in one's feet and hands, each of which is connected to a specific organ in the body.

What Are The Benefits Of Reflexology?

Reflexology is considered to have innumerable advantages to one's health, though only a limited number of them have been scientifically proven. There is the following, which has limited evidence that it may help:

Reduce mental health issues like stress and anxiety
Can reduce pain
Can lift your mood
Improves general well-being

There is also the following that had been reported to have helped patients:

Boost their immune system
Get over colds and bacterial infections
Clear up sinus issues
Recover from back problems
Correct hormonal imbalances
Boost fertility
Improve digestion
Ease arthritis pain
Treat nerve problems and numbness from cancer drugs (peripheral neuropathy)

The 7 Best Health Benefits Of Reflexology

Here we are going to list down the 7 best health benefits of Reflexology that can help you in healing if you are facing any similar health issues:

1. Relaxation

Reflexology is well known for inducing a calming and relaxing effect throughout the mind and body while assisting in relieving stress and anxiety caused. It is also said to have a potential cure for insomnia and other sleep disorders in order to bring the body to a healthy state of relaxation.

2. Reduces Headaches

Reflexology, by the people of Vancouver, is used up to a great extent for treating and minimizing their headaches. As it assists in relieving tension in the muscles during migraines or headaches and thus, helps in reducing its severity. Apart from this, headaches that are caused due to stress or tension can also be cured with a lasting effect with the help of Reflexology.

3. Stimulates Circulation of Blood and Oxygen

The most incredible and verified benefit of Reflexology is considered to be the stimulation in the circulation of blood throughout the body systems. It enables not just blood circulation but also the movement of oxygen across all the organs of the body with more efficiency and enhances the process of metabolism.

The higher metabolism and functioning of organs systems would also result in the increase in the creation of energy in the body.

Thus, Reflexology can be quite beneficial when you might be feeling lethargic and need a boost up in your energy level.

The proper cycling of oxygen and other substantial elements will also help in the speedy recovery or healing if there is any sort of injury, as it enables the regrowth of damaged cells at a faster rate.

Furthermore, the enhancement in the circulation of blood through reflexology therapy will also help in improving the functioning of the bladder and thereby lessening the chances of any health complications of the urinary tract in the near future.

4. Accelerates Nerve Functions

Another proven benefit of Reflexology is the acceleration in the functioning of the central nervous system of our body.

There is clear evidence of a positive impact on the mechanism of the autonomic nervous system function, as reflexology therapy assists in improvement in the working of the nerve cells and tissue throughout the body structures by facilitating the clearance of the neural pathways.

This eventually results in the effective flow of information from various organs to the brain and, thus, a faster rate of processing the input to enable a quick response. Reflexology also has an additional benefit of a boost in memory power.

5. Aids in Cancer Treatment

Though there is no proof yet of a direct connection of Reflexology with cancer cells, there has been a healing effect on cancer patients, and Reflexology is thus known for relieving the side effects of chemotherapy and other such cancer treatments.

It even helps substantially improve their hampered way of life, which includes a reduction in pain and anxiety to enable a better sleeping cycle, decrease in fatigue, and breathing problems by enhancing the circulation of blood and oxygen.

6. Relief in the Menstruation and PMS Symptoms

Reflexology can be quite beneficial for females during their menstruations, especially the ones who suffer from the discomfort of PMS. This treatment helps in relieving the menstrual pain and the effects of dysmenorrhea up to a great extent.

7. Pregnancy Support

At West End Wellness, Reflexology is often used by women during and after their pregnancies to lessen its impacts on the body systems and also to recover from postpartum depression.

These were some of the best health benefits of Reflexology, majorly the foot reflexology and the proven long-lasting positive impacts observed in the people of Vancouver.

If you have any further doubts or questions regarding this subject or another treatment, contact one of our experienced Acupuncturists or Registered Massage Therapists here at West End Wellness Clinic. You can either give us a call or make an appointment.

Disclaimer: Please remember this article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider or someone with the correct qualifications before starting any new exercise or treatment program.