Many research have indicated advantages of reflexology—however how does reflexology work? The reality is that the mechanism by way of which reflexology works is just not recognized. There have been many proposals as to the way it works; the 2 most distinguished theories are that it really works by way of the nervous system or that it really works by way of the meridians of Conventional Chinese language Medication (TCM).
The historical past of reflexology goes again over 4,000 years, very like the historical past of therapeutic massage. But, from my perspective with 45-plus years of practising and instructing reflexology, I consider reflexology is in its infancy.
Zone Remedy
The newer historical past of reflexology started with William Fitzgerald, MD (1872-1942), and his presentation of Zone Remedy, in 1917, to the medical occupation. Zone Remedy was the precursor of present-day reflexology. Fitzgerald, an eye fixed, ear and nostril specialist practising in Hartford, Connecticut, developed Zone Remedy, through which software of direct strain was an efficient technique of manufacturing anaesthesia or analgesia. As is in any new discovery, Zone Remedy was controversial.
Eunice Ingham, PT (1889-1974), a bodily therapist practising in Florida, studied and researched Fitzgerald’s Zone Remedy within the Thirties and found that utilizing an alternating strain on the toes had a calming impact on the physique. She referred to as this foot reflexology. Ingham, acknowledged because the mom of reflexology, printed two well-liked books: “Tales the Toes Can Inform” and “Tales the Toes Have Informed.” She was very energetic in instructing reflexology workshops in main U.S. cities. A few of her college students took her teachings to different components of the world.
The apply of reflexology has remained controversial to this present day. When the editor of MASSAGE Journal approached me to write down an article, she proposed an evidence of the mechanism by which reflexology works. The reality is, once more, the mechanism by way of which reflexology works is just not recognized.
Some printed analysis research report on the physiological results of reflexology in a wide range of medical circumstances. Due to this fact, it’s protected to state that reflexology does produce physiological results within the physique. Many extra printed analysis research report on the advantages of reflexology for individuals experiencing varied medical circumstances. Printed analysis research are carried out primarily in medical services with medical populations. That is comprehensible, as these circumstances are those that researchers are motivated to look at.
Widespread well being circumstances skilled outdoors of medical institutions haven’t but acquired the identical consideration. Nonetheless, it’s affordable to generalise from the findings in medical settings to comparable circumstances outdoors of medical settings. For instance, if reflexology is efficient in decreasing anxiousness in sufferers about to endure coronary surgical procedure, it’s affordable to consider that will probably be efficient in decreasing anxiousness for individuals in different demanding circumstances.
Nonetheless, analysis has not but decided the mechanism by way of which reflexology produces its outcomes. Nonetheless, within the realm of therapeutic and drugs, many comparable circumstances exist through which there are well-documented advantages from sure therapies—acupuncture, Reiki, and meditation amongst them—however the mechanisms that produce these advantages are usually not totally understood.
The present apply of reflexology is utilized to the toes, palms, ears and face. These are 4 of many microsystems recognized within the physique. In a microsystem, the entire physique is mirrored inside one a part of the physique. Another microsystems recognized throughout the physique are the tooth, tongue, scalp, iris of the eyes, massive gut, a finger and a decrease limb.
Given this info, it appears the physique has a holographic nature, a principle that’s rooted in TCM. It’s with this angle that I made my opening assertion that the apply of reflexology is in its infancy. I envision that in time, the exploration of the holographic nature of the physique and how you can make the most of this data within the technique of medicinal therapeutic will evolve and develop into vital.
As a therapeutic massage therapist, you might effectively query how reflexology interacts with therapeutic massage remedy.
How Does Reflexology Work in Relation to Therapeutic massage?
In a survey carried out by MASSAGE Journal a number of years in the past, your colleagues who practiced each therapeutic massage remedy and reflexology have been requested how they went about doing that. The bulk reported that they conduct their reflexology session first, and adopted with their therapeutic massage remedy session. That they had discovered that reflexology made it simpler for them to conduct their therapeutic massage, and they also have been in a position to produce significantly better outcomes working in that order.
Reflexology reduces stress and stress. It may be efficient in decreasing ache. For instance, making use of reflexology might be very helpful when an individual has excessive ache from whiplash. To method the neck space will probably trigger the individual to tense as they defensively anticipate the potential ache. That is counterproductive.
Nonetheless, working with reflexology on the toes or the palms shall be comparatively protected for the shopper and successfully relieve a few of their stress and stress. When reflexology has sufficiently decreased the individual’s ache, will probably be a lot simpler for a therapeutic massage therapist to method engaged on the injured space with out the shopper tensing. This is able to be true of bodily accidents to different components of the physique.
A extra apparent benefit of reflexology is for these people who find themselves not snug eradicating their garments. The apply of reflexology is on the toes, palms, face or ears, none of which requires removing of the garments.
Working the toes, moderately than the palms, face or ears, gives a clearer indication of the place an individual has stress of their physique. The rationale for this, too, is just not recognized.
When evaluating foot reflexology with hand reflexology, the palms are extra handy. Some persons are very self-conscious of their toes, and would by no means enable one other individual to the touch them. This may be due to feared ticklishness, non secular causes or self-consciousness.
Equally, it’s a lot simpler to work on some disabled individuals’s palms than their toes, particularly if they’re wheelchair-bound. It’s also a lot simpler for individuals to work on their very own palms for self-help, about which many consumers are blissful to obtain info.
Reflexology & Therapeutic massage in Collaboration
A reflexology chart primarily identifies the glands and inner organs of the physique. Extra not too long ago, separate charts current the bone construction, the muscular system and the nervous system. A reflexology practitioner is conscious of those overlapping techniques and can take into account that when they’re working.
Reflexology shall be helpful for all of those overlapping techniques. Due to this fact, reflexology is useful for a variety of well being challenges, together with those who have an effect on the digestive system, the respiratory system, the lymphatic system, the nervous system the circulatory system and extra. When a shopper presents with a well being problem, your consumption ought to decide if they’re beneath the care of a medical doctor for his or her situation earlier than you proceed with bodywork.
Working in collaboration with a reflexologist is a technique so that you can present the perfect of service to your purchasers. To do that, I recommend that you simply try some practising reflexologists in your native space, and if you’re positively impressed with their arrange, take into account exchanging some remedies to assist seal the bond. Your private expertise will make it a lot simpler so that you can make a referral. Establishing a pleasant community with different therapeutic practitioners is a good way so that you can serve your purchasers and help constructing your small business.
Alternatively, you could possibly practice in reflexology and supply reflexology service your self. From what you’ve gotten learn right here, you possibly can see how this could broaden your potential clientele.
Concerning the Creator
Christopher Shirley is founding father of the Pacific Institute of Reflexology and has been practising and instructing reflexology since 1978. He constructed the web site, Reflexology Assets, which incorporates in depth reflexology info together with reflexology historical past, publications and articles. The location additionally options the Journal of Reflexology Analysis, and a library of reflexology movies.