What You Want to Know About Reflexology Massage
Reflexology or zone therapy is another traditional massage technique. Reflexology can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians. It works by massaging specific areas of the hands and feet. These areas of the hands and feet are believed to be connected to vital organs throughout the body. This is to help in relieving tension and stiffness in the body. Many practitioners differ on their approaches to reflexology and there can be vast differences between them.
But fear not, there is some common ground in the reflexology world. Reflexology targets specific points of the hands and feet. Massage movements stimulate specific reflexology points that are supposed to be connected to other organs within the body. Although reflexology has been around for centuries, no clinical studies have been performed to validate the benefits of this type of massage.
Many traditional methods of healing including reflexology have not been validated with medical studies. Reflexology massage has been found as far back as the ancient Egyptians. In a sense, reflexology has been practiced over 100 generations, yet the last hundred years of science has not had time to investigate its claims. Reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1938 by Eunice Ingham.
Reflexology got its start with the introduction of the Ingham method. This was collaboration between Eunice Ingham and Dwight Byers. The focus of this type of massage is for relieving stiffness throughout the body. This method has been noted for improving blood flow and four relaxing the body.
Some of the good things of reflexology are that it is a natural treatment and has no known side effects. Since the main focus is on the feet and hands, the release of muscle tension is important. The body also relaxes when reflexology is given to the hands and feet.
Practitioners of reflexology massage can be certified. The Reflexology Association of America provides a certificate program for those needing its guidelines. This association also promulgates the guidelines that set the standards for reflexology training and practice.
To attract students into studying reflexology, the Reflexology Association of America encourages that reflexology becomes a standard profession. This would be similar to other certification programs where graduates would be bestowed the right to practice this technique.
The organization does publish research related to reflexology. Most of the research published is regarding either pain control or not see a control. This research looks at the connections in the body for pain and not in control. There are some proponents that believe reflexology may also plans the body of toxins, increase blood circulation and could even assist in weight loss.
Other research indicates a wide variety of benefits. Again, since there are no clinical studies, some of these benefits must be taken with a grain of salt. But other benefits include reducing hair loss, rectal prolapse and reductions in cardiac diseases. It certainly will be interesting to see some more studies and the traditional area.
Reflexology has been used from ancient Egyptian times to relieve tension in the body. The Egyptians developed the first relationships between certain points on the hands and feet and other major organs. Today, practitioners of reflexology can become certified by a national board. This has provided more legitimacy to preserving a long-standing traditional healing method.
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Posted on Aug 26 2009 in Health/Beauty