Reflexology and Acupressure

What is reflexology?

Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas on the feet, hands, or ears. Reflexologists believe that these areas and reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and that pressing them has a beneficial effect on the organs and person’s general health. For example, reflexology holds that a specific spot in the arch of the foot corresponds to the bladder point. When a reflexology practitioner uses thumbs or fingers to apply appropriate pressure to this area, it affects bladder functioning.

Although reflexology is not used to diagnose or cure health disorders, millions of people around the world use it to complement other treatments when addressing conditions like anxiety, asthma, cancer treatment, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, headaches, kidney function, PMS, and sinusitis.

Where are the reflexology points and areas?

In reflexology theory, points and areas on the feet, hands, and ears correspond to specific organs, bones and body systems. Practitioners access these points on the feet and hands (bottom, sides, and top) and the ear (both inside as far as the finger can reach and outside) to affect organs and systems throughout the entire body.

Maps of reflex points have been passed between practitioners across the globe. Understandably, there is not agreement among all reflexologists on all points; however, general agreement does exist on major reflex points. Some scientific documentation of linkages between the skin and internal organs also exists.

To represent how the body systems correspond to one another, reflexologists use reflexology “maps.” A good example of a reflexology map exists for the feet. Each foot represents a vertical half of the body:

refloxology chartThe left foot corresponds to the left side of the body and all organs, valves, etc. found there.

The right foot corresponds to the right side of the body and all organs found there. For example, the liver is on the right side of the body, and therefore the corresponding reflex area is on the right foot.

A reflexologist may perform a general, integrated session, or may focus on specific problem areas on the feet, hands or ears. For example, if time is limited and the person really needs to relax, the reflexologist may choose just to work on the ears.

Whatever the specific technique, reflexology theory holds that the practitioner is working to release congestion or stress in the nervous system and balance the body’s energy.

A wide range of hand tequniques are used to manipulate the soft tissues in the body to ease the tension of muscles, joints and limbs. Chinese massage can restore the balance of energy flow, relaxation and harmony throughout the body. The benefits of acupressure include: sleep enhancement, improve joint flexibility, improve lymphatic system, boost immunity system, headache relief, relax the muscles, improve memory and skin beauty.

How Acupressure Therapy works ?

Ancient Chinese philosophy states that acupressure restores the balance of Yin and Yang by freeing our life energy or qi (chi) that flows through channels (known as meridians) under the skin. By putting pressure on specific points (known as ‘acupoints’) of the channels that have become blocked, the practitioner stimulates the body’s healing response and thereby helps to restore its natural balance. Acupuncture techniques also involve elements of massage which improves other functions in the body such as hormone release (responses to injury and stress), circulation (blood pressure and heart rate) and digestion (secretion of gastric acid).