Reflexology: What Is It And What Are The Benefits?
It’s a well-known fact that stress causes all kinds of health problems, and most of us today do our best to lower our stress levels for that very reason. Practicing good self-care is important for your quality of life, and today we would like to share a massage method that we offer here at Urban Oasis that may be really helpful to you in alleviating stress while helping you to relax: Reflexology.
Perhaps you have never heard of Reflexology, or perhaps you are wondering what the benefits might be?
The theory behind this method is that specific areas of your foot correspond to different organs and systems of your body, so pressure applied to your foot is believed to bring you relaxation and healing in that corresponding area. A reflexologist will use charts that guide him or her as they apply pressure to a specific area, while reflexology is also often combined with other manual therapies.
Reflexology is based on an ancient Chinese belief in qi (pronounced as “chee”), or “vital energy”. This belief states that qi flows through every person, and when that person experiences stress their qi is blocked, causing an imbalance in the body and leading to illness. Reflexology is used to keep qi flowing, promoting balance and health.
Some studies have indicated that reflexology may reduce pain and some psychological symptoms, such as stress and anxiety while enhancing relaxation and bringing good sleep. It is a low-risk methodology, so it’s a reasonable option to consider if you are seeking help in these areas.
Although there haven’t been many studies done on Reflexology, it does seem to have value as a complementary therapy to help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, as do massages. Here are some things that research does say about the use of Reflexology in pain and anxiety management:
A 2011 study that investigated how Reflexology treatments affected a group of women with advanced breast cancer found that the treatment helped to reduce some of the symptoms they were experiencing from chemotherapy, such as shortness of breath. Additionally, researchers have studied the effects of Reflexology on women dealing with the pain of PMS and found that the women who received two months of treatment reported fewer symptoms than the women who did not. In another study conducted in 2014, it was found that patients undergoing heart surgery reported lower levels of anxiety after receiving treatments once a day for four days.
Studies show that touch by another human being is a relaxing and caring action for most of us, helping to reduce anxiety. Here at Urban Oasis Nashville, we would be happy to sit down with you and discuss your Reflexology treatment. Call us today!
(If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please consult with your doctor before considering Reflexology: circulatory issues in the feet, blood clots or inflammation of leg veins, gout, foot ulcers or fungal infections, open wounds, athlete’s foot, epilepsy, thyroid or blood problems.)
