Reflexology for restoring wellness
Reflexology is an ancient Chinese practice, it is a therapy focusing on the feet which has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity as a modern holistic therapy to relieve pain and stress. Areas on your feet correspond to different parts of your body, and massaging them stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system to heal itself. Consider reflexology for restoring wellness as a regular part of your wellness regime.
For 3,000 years Chinese practitioners have used reflexology to re-balance Qi (the life force flowing through energy channels) to treat a number of conditions. It can work alongside conventional Western medicine to promote healing and improve wellbeing and vitality.
What does it involve?
Your reflexologist may ask you about your medical history, health issues, lifestyle and diet. Then they will apply pressure to your feet using their thumb and forefinger to identify which areas of your body are imbalanced.
A session usually lasts 60 minutes and focuses on the soles of your feet.
How does it work?
Reflexology is based on the Chinese principle that certain areas on the soles of your feet– known as reflex zones – contain millions of nerve endings and correspond to other parts of the body. Clients report feeling a much improved feeling of general health and wellbeing after sessions.
The Chinese believe that reflexology stimulates the body into healing itself by improving circulation, reducing stress, pain and restoring natural balance. eg. A therapist may massage your big toe and ankle to calm your endocrine and reproductive system, helping relieve PMS or menopausal symptoms.
What can it help with?
If you have been injured or are lacking energy, reflexology can help to restore balance and coax your body into healing itself.
It can boost a sluggish circulation and is useful for treating stress, anxiety, back pain, migraine, poor digestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), respiratory problems, asthma, headache, bladder problems, menopausal symptoms and period pain.
It may assist with pain management of various chronic health conditions, but it should not replace conventional drugs. My clients comment that being able to zone out for an hour enjoying a relaxing massage has a positive psychological impact on their wellbeing, while pregnant women find that reflexology relieves the pressure on their legs and feet.
Balance your ‘Yin and Yang’
Chinese doctors believe that our bodies are composed of the opposing forces of Yin and Yang that need to work in harmony for us to achieve health and vitality. Reflexology works on a similar principle to acupuncture where the body is divided into 10 zones.
When these energy channels become blocked a person feels unwell. Both reflexology and acupuncture aim to dissolve any blockages causing ill-health by encouraging the free flow of vital energy through the body.
Whilst acupuncture focuses on points along the Meridians, situated all over the body, and stimulates them with needles, reflexology focuses on the Meridians in the feet and works on them with finger pressures and is useful for people with needle phobias.
Another way to balance Yin and Yang is via acupuncture, if you’re intetested in acupuncture contact my good friend Dr. Andrew Walker, mention Steve Tibbits sent me for 20% discount on your first consultation with Andrew, check him out at www.walkeracupuncture.com
My journey has led me to experience many modalities and Reflexology comes highly recommend. If you live in Geelong, or are travelling through Geelong, do yourself a favour and book in for a session with Pam Allen, she’s a wonderful reflexologist that I know and trust. In my opinion she is a Master of the Art. Why not give reflexology a go. Pam’s website is www.pamallen.com.au click on this link and check her out.
