How does Reflexology work?

Different areas of the feet (or reflex areas) correspond to different parts of the body and the whole body is represented.  By working on these reflex areas, a balancing effect can be brought about in the corresponding part of the body.  The right foot corresponds to the right side of the body and the left foot to the left side.   By working on both feet the whole body can be brought back into harmony.

Related Posts

  • Reflexology: Scientific Evidence of it’s effects physiological anxiety signs

    Recently a scientific study (see details below) was published which evaluated the physiological anxiety signs and sedation needs of patients in intensive care units in a Turkish hospital.

    Title: Reflexology: It’s effects on Physiological Anxiety Signs and Sedation Needs
    Journal: Holistic Nursing Practioner
    Authors: E. Korhan, L. Khorshid, M Uyar
    Reference: 2014; 28 (1);6-23
    Study Type: Randomised Controlled Trial - with control group receiving no treatment
    Background It is an accepted medical fact that when it is necessary to mechanically ventilate patients in intensive care units of hospitals, the patients experience stress and anxiety.  It is standard medical practice to relieve anxiety, pain, agitation with sedatives to ensure patient comfort. Sedatives however also have side effects causing high blood pressure, slow heart beat, coma, respiratory depression, muscle weakness and atrophy, increased risk of pneumonia, kidney problems and immunosuppression. It may also prolong the need for ventilation which in turn increases the risk of complications. Method 60 patients were split into two groups one of which was the control group.  Sedation (Propofol) was reduced 30 min before treatment (or no treatment) which resulted in patients with mixed consciousness to which the outcome measure was administered. This was the American Association of critical care nurses sedation assessment scale (AACNSAS) and the vital signs recorded. Reflexology applied to ears, hands and feet bilaterally was given twice a day for a total of 30 minutes per day, over 5 days. The reflexology focussed on the brain, cortex, hypothalamus, hypophysis and subcortex; areas though to influence anxiety, agitation and stress response. No reflexology was given to the control group but the sedation was reduced and all the same measurements were taken. Results The physiological signs of anxiety and stress i.e. blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate were are reduced in the group that received reflexology on each of the 5 days.  In addition there was a reduction in the requirement for sedatives in the group that received reflexology. Conclusions These findings ‘show that reflexology is an effective treatment in reducing the physiological signs of anxiety and stress in patients receiving mechanically ventilated support.’ This study provides scientific evidence to underpin the idea that reflexology has a beneficial effect on anxiety and stress.

  • What can I expect during a Reflexology session?

    A reflexology session lasts one hour.  The client sits with bare feet while the therapist applies pressure by hand to all areas of both feet.  Imbalances in the body are detected as tender spots on the feet and normally these become less tender after a few minutes massage.  However, it may not possible to remove all tender areas with one treatment.

  • How can Reflexology help me?

    As a human being, you are a complex, delicately balanced machine that is synergistic … everything working together for the benefit of the whole person.  When each part of you, mind, body and soul works in harmony, you feel at your peak.  At a biological level, this harmony is achieved by a myriad of glands, organs, nerves, chemicals etc. and if one of these gets out of balance then the effects are felt throughout the whole body. Reflexology restores your inner harmony and instils a sense of well being.  It treats the whole person and can be used to tackle a wide range of conditions such as pre-menstrual tension, headaches, migraines, sinus problems, anxiety, tension, insomnia, digestive disorders, backache, stiffness and tension.