Reflexology: Taking Better Care of Your Health

For many years, it had bothered me that, more often than not, doctors were only too willing to hand out anti-biotics for the simplest of ailments, rather than get to the root of the cause and/or offering good sound recommendations to living a healthier lifestyle. In time, we have now come to discover that this practice has done more damage than good, as certain bacteria and viruses have now become immune to the effects of many anti-biotics.

As well, after several years of disappointing opinions and misdiagnoses from doctors, I decided to read up on, and study, alternative ways to look after my own health. That is when I stumbled upon the ancient method of "reflexology". It is much like accupuncture, although no needles are involved. It is also very similar to accupressure or massage therapy (these terms may be more familiar to most). It is so simple that almost anyone can use this procedure on themselves and loved ones. This is an excellent way to take your health care into your own hands, figuratively and literally.

Reflexology works upon the premise that there are meridians that run throughout your body, starting from the center and working ourward. When these meridians become blocked or impaired, by either poor health practices, an improper diet and/or lack of exercise, your endocrine and nervous systems can become compromised, becoming unbalanced, illness being the result. In order to bring these systems back into balance, you must relax and unblock the meridian lines. This is done by massaging certain pressure points in your body. When your body can become more relaxed, in turn, balancing the natural vital energy forces within your body, you are better able to fight whatever is ailing you, including chronic pain.

Usually, reflexology is performed on the hands and feet, but pressure points can also be found on the ears, chest, back, as well as other parts of the body.

The main function of reflexology is to get the endocrine system back into balance. Our glands are what enable our vital organs to function properly. When the endocrine system is out of balance, it creates havock with our vital organs, as everything within our bodies is intertwined. Much like any mechanical device, such as a car or computer even, if one element is not functioning properly, it can cause the device to malfunction, even though all the other parts seem to be in fine working order. This too, is how our bodies can sometimes operate.

Helpful Books on the Subject of Reflexolgy

When I was looking for a way to take care of my own health (besides trying to eat better and get more exercise), I read every book that I could get my hands on, on the subject of reflexology. Some books were better than others. The books that I found to be the most helpful and informative, with easy to follow directions were:

Hand Reflexology by Mildred Carter

Helping Yourself With Foot Reflexology by Mildred Carter

Body Reflexology by Mildred Carter

Stories the Feet Have Told Thru Reflexology (and yes, Thru is spelled this way on the book) by Eunice D. Ingham

If you're not able to find these books, I also discovered an excellent web site on reflexology. It has an interactive chart where you can mouse over the diagram of the foot to see which corresponding pressure points assist in healing which areas of the body.

http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/cs/uk/11/features/reflexology/footchart.html

Some of the More Common Pressure Points

Just to give you a quick introduction into the workings of reflexology, here are some of the more common pressure points that you might want to be aware of. One of the major glands of the body is the "pituitary" gland. If this gland is rather sluggish, you may find yourself feeling sluggish and fatiqued as well. By pressing into the center, fleshy part of your big toe, you can start to feel revitalized.

The pituitary gland also influences the functioning of the adrenal gland as well as the ovaries and testes, so you can see by this just how interconnected our entire system works and can affect our overall health and well being.

By also massaging the reflex points for these glands, you can help them all to do their assigned duties in a more balanced manner. The reflex points to the adrenal gland can be found at approximately the center of the instep of your feet. This also corresponds to where it is situated within your body. The ovaries and testes can be found on the outer side of your feet, just below your outer ankles, again, corresponding to the meridian lines that are in conjunction to where they are situated within the body.

This is just a brief synopsis of how reflexology can assist our bodies in becoming more balanced, by massaging, relaxing, and revitalizing each and every gland, organ, as well as the central nervous system, all in an effort to obtain better health.

Reflexology Tools To Assist In Healing

Other ways in which to help yourself with reflexology is to use certain items that can help you to dig into some of the deeper reflex points. A "roloflex" is a great tool (as shown in the photo). With this tool, you press and rub your feet along the floor on the roloflex. For some, it might hurt in the beginning, but this is because you really need to open up and relax the meridians. In time, it will not hurt at all, and you will feel the relaxing and healing benefits of the roloflex.

Other tools one can also use, are the reflex comb and hand massager, for digging deep into pressure points on the hand.

However, one doesn't have to rush out and purchase items if your budget won't allow extra expenses. You can also find things around your own home that are just as easy to use and are just as effective. I find that rolling my feet over marbles on a carpet is extremely relaxing. This goes to prove that one part of your body can truly affect another part.

If you're fortunate enough to live near a beach, try wading along the shallow end of a lake or ocean. You can feel the relaxing effect immediately. If the beach happens to have more pebbles than sand, all the better, as the pebbles will be reaching deep within the reflex points on the soles of your feet. Along with the water (which is also a natural healing source), the sand/pebbles will help you to start experiencing instant benefits.

Some Warnings to Be Aware of With the Use of Reflexology

Although reflexolgy is a great method of getting your body back in tune, If you are new to this procedure, there are some precautionary measures to consider. Never "over" massage any one area of your hands or feet in the beginning. Many areas of our body are surrounded by muscle. By over massaging, you can cause the muscles to tighten, especially around the heart area, as well as other organs. This may not create any damaging effects, but might scare you for a few days (until you muscles start to become less tense again), thinking that the reflexology has only made you feel worse instead of better.

Also, by over massaging, you may be releasing large amounts of toxins throughout your body all at once (toxins your body may have absorbed via your environment or by what you might have consumed, such as alcohol), causing you to suddenly feel ill. You need to give your body time to release and expel these toxins gradually and in a way that won't feel harmful to you.

By taking it slow, and allowing your body to relax in a more natural way, learning to use reflexology can be a great way to a healthier way of life.