"Healthy feet can hear the very

heart of Mother Earth"  ~ Sitting Bull

 

 REFLEXOLOGY

Reflexology is a positive and complementary method of reducing the physical and mental anxieties in today's hectic world.  It seems doctors agree that over 70% of illnesses are stress related.  There are many benefits found by clients using Reflexology and one is it relieves stress!   "When the feet feel good, the whole body feels good!"

 

Reflexology is based on the principle that the feet, hands (ears and even eyes) are small maps of all systems of the body organs and body systems. Using specific manual pressure techniques to any of the reflexes on the feet or hands stimulates the corresponding body part or body system. It also stimulates the Nervous System.

 

What does it do? 

Reflexology stimulates circulation along with Nerve & Glandular Systems in the body to help restore  balance throughout the body.  Reflexology assists in the elimination of toxins from the body.

 

The purpose of Reflexology is to assist the body systems to become balanced (homeostasis), to calm the mind as well as stimulate energy flow according to the needs of the body, without harmful side effect.

 

Where Did Reflexology Begin?

 

Reflexology is an ancient form of therapy with roots found in ancient cultures including Egypt , China, India, etc.  Hand and Foot Therapy was introduced to the "West"  by Dr. William Fitzgerald in 1913. 

It was then called  "Zone Therapy."  Dr. Fitzgerald found that reflex areas on the hands and feet corresponded to organs and other areas of the body within the same "zone."   The modality was further developed and improved by Eunice Ingham, who was a Physiotherapist, in the 1930's and it became known as Reflexology. 

 

Reported Benefits? 

 

· Reduces stress and pain

· Revitalizes the body /Centers Energy

· Promotes Healthy Internal Balance

· Improves Circulation

· Induces deep relaxation

· Cleanses body of toxins

· Accelerates natural healing abilities of the body

· Stimulates creativity and productivity

· Enhances Sense of Well-Being

· Improved Bowel Function

· Improved Lymphatic Drain/Reduction of Edema

· Improved Sleep Pattern/More Sound Sleep

· Improved Mobility in joints

· Decrease in Edema in legs/feet

· Improved nerve senses, (sense of feeling), in feet/hands

         

Reflexology helps improve circulation, restore energy flow and vitality to all systems of the body and promotes internal balance/homeostasis.

 

Reflexology is a unique Modality in the Health Field & is used to promote better health and well being in the same way an exercise program or  nutritious eating does for the body.  The use of Reflexology should not be compared to massage or any other type of Therapy or Manipulative Procedure since the purpose and results are different. 

 

Foot Reflexology - moving from shoulder Reflex toward the Ear Reflex.

 

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Reflexology Research: Science Validating the Concept of Reflexology*

Dr. Manzanares of Barcelona, Spain is a gift to the Reflexology World.  He is an MD, surgeon and a teacher of Reflexology. He has researched Reflexology for the past 27 years with more than 70,000 clinical cases.  His contribution and advancement to the science of Reflexology is groundbreaking and is expanding as he travels to share his research and teach classes in the United States.  Licensed in medicine and surgery by the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 1982, Dr. Manzanares has taught his methods to physicans in Europe.  He says his first contact with Reflexology occurred the year before he began Medical School in 1975. He had a personal experience that was the reason for his involvment and pursuit into Reflexology Research! His grandmother had grown worse in health as a result of taking Anti-inflammatory medications. After receiving a few sessions of Reflexology,she noted a clinical improvement and marked

decrease in rheumatic bouts. 

*To read further about Dr. Manzanares and his studies, research and findings please see the article by Linda Chollar in its entirety at www.painfreepath.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Concept of Reflexology is "self-heal" which can assist the body

to correct ailments by instructing and reconditioning the Neural System of the body. It is a Complementary, Biological and Integrative Health Science.  Pressure is applied to the reflex areas and it persuades the body to strengthen itself biologically.
(Reflex areas can be found in feet, hands, eyes & ears which correspond

to different glands, organs & body systems in the body).
 
The ONLY equipment used are hands

& fingers of the Registered Certified Reflexologist on the feet and hands of the client.

 

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Hand Reflexology being performed on client's left hand. Pressure being applied to bladder reflex.

 

 

Reflexology Found to Improve Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis...

 

 "Reflexology significantly improved Paresthesia, urinary symptoms and spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis, according to research reported in 2003. ..."      As a Randomized Controlled Study was conducted by staff at the Department of Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Complementary Medicine Clinic and the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Sheba Medical Center in Tel-Hashomer, Israel; and the Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research.

**Source: Department of Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Complementary Medicine Clinic, Multiple Sclerosis Center at Sheba Medical Center in Tel-Hashomer, Israel; and Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research. Authors: I. Siev-Ner; D. Gamus; L. Lerner-Geva; and A. Achiron. Originally published in Multiple Sclerosis, 2003, Vol. 9, pp. 356-361

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Reflexology Evolves:
 The Development of Reflexology comes from the cross-fertilization of
Western Reflexology with Chinese Medicine because of work in Taiwan
and China by two Swiss Missionaries: Sister Hedi Massagret & Father Josef Eugster.
 
In 1982 the Rwo Shur Health Institute was founded to promote this integrated approach uniting the concepts of Chinese Traditional Medicine with Chinese Pressure Techniques applied to the feet according to Eunice Ingham's Reflexology Charts.

 

Does Reflexology work on the Parasympathetic Nervous System?

Deep relaxation aids the Parasympathetic Nervous System
in its job of balancing activity of the Sympathetic System, and helps the body recover from stress. 
 
Parasympathetic Activity allows the body time for rest and repair along with prompting many vital functions.
When the Parasympathetic System is dominant, the following organ functions are found to be improved:
 

• Digestive System Functions optimally, and energy is therefore absorbed by the body.

 

• The vessels to the heart are dialated, hence muscle receives optimal blood supply.

 

• Bile production from liver is increased, improving digestion & elimination.
  

 

• Mobility and tone of the smooth muscles of the stomach & intestines are increased. passage of food along with waste through digestive tract are improved.

 

• Secretion of enzymes of the Pancreas and Insulin release.

 

 

 

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In 1582 a book appeared by Dr. Adamus and Dr. A'tatison the subject of "Zone Therapy."  The very existence of the book shows that a Form of Reflex Techniques were known and practiced in the more "modern" world, especially in the countries of central Europe.

 

In the Somato-Sensory Cortex that shows the

degrees of sensory stimulation to the brain from body parts, one would note that the hand/thumb and feet are second only to the mouth/face.

 

How Important is the Nervous System in the Human Body?

Two British Researchers, Charles Sherrington and Edgar Adrian, explored the way the nervous system coordinates and dominates body functions and activities. 

They shared a Nobel Prize for their discoveries.

 

Adrian showed that the electrical intensity of the nerve impulse depends on the size of thenerve rather than upon the strength of the stimulus.  Sherrington established the brain and its nerves coordinate and control body functions through the transmission of

impulses.  His book: The Integrative Action of the Nervous System.