Naturopathic Medicine | The Art Of Reflexology

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

Far Eastern cultures have been using alternative treatments for thousands of years. In most places of the world, natural medicine is the first line of defense against sickness and disease, not a last resort like many people see it today. Even in technically advanced countries, such as China and Japan, there is an appreciation of effectiveness and simplicity of natural medicine and alternative treatments. We could learn a lot from the practice of reflexology and how it can benefit our lives.

Reflexology is a complimentary protocol that works in conjunction with other techniques. It is particularly popular among naturopathic and holistic practitioners. Although the techniques have been proven to be beneficial for a multitude of problems, your reflexologist cannot diagnose or claim to cure any diseases. Reflexology is meant to bring your body to a state of well-being. Only in this state is your body able to heal itself. When your body is full of toxins, your immune system is severely compromised, making you much more likely to succumb to sickness. Reflexology can help prevent that from occurring if used on a regular basis.

One of the most common uses for reflexology is for stress relief. In our fast-paced society today, everyone is looking for a way to unload stress. The effects of stress have been studied for quite some time and it is known that if you do not release stress from your body on a regular basis, it will eventually wreak havoc on your body in the form of one of many different sicknesses or diseases. Stress is a silent killer.

In addition to its uses as a stress reliever, reflexology is also a beneficial tool for improving circulation, relieving pain, and as an immune and to stimulate the nervous system. Many people with illnesses such as allergies, chronic sinus problems, acid reflux, migraines, PMS, menopause, insomnia, fertility problems, fibromyalgia, depression and even arthritis report significantly improved conditions as a result of the treatment.

So how does reflexology work? By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, reflexology enhances blood flow and eliminates toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. It is not a complicated technique, although it does have to be learned. And some even say that intuition plays a part in the techniques.

Once you have made the decision to visit a trained reflexologist, you may be wondering what you can expect from him or her. Your therapy session will begin with a questionnaire or one-on-one question and answer session. The purpose of these questions is to get your personal history and determine where your therapy should be most concentrated. For example, if you are going in suffering from frequent migraines and neck pain, your reflexologist will concentrate on the areas of the feet and sometimes the hands, in areas that deal with the head and neck. Of course, you will be treated in all areas of the feet. In order to bring your body to a state of well-being, you must detoxify your organs and this is what happens during reflexology therapy.