Thursday, June 11, 2009

All About Reflexology Massage

By Claudine Balsells

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.

However, there are some common areas that are acknowledged. Most practitioners agree that certain areas of the hands and feet correspond to different parts of the body. Reflexology targets these particular areas of the hands and feet. It is thought by manipulating these areas that they can affect other parts of the body. Reflexology is classified as an alternative health since there are no practical studies that have been undertaken to validate these traditions.

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.

The Ingham method of reflexology is used primarily for releasing tension in the body. This method is good for reducing stiffness from stress. Many health professionals agree that stress is one of the biggest contributors to health problems. This method of reflexology is used improve nerve and blood supply while also relieving stress.

There are no known side effects of getting a reflexology massage. Massage is focused on particular points in the hands and feet. These areas are massage, squeezed and pushed to relieve tension in the body.

Certification and reflexology massage is not mandated by any laws. There are certification programs and boards such as the Reflexology Association of America. Students must meet the minimum criteria in order to receive a certificate in this program. This includes book study as well as hands-on 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.

There have also been reported successes in treating anything from hair loss to cardiac disease and even rectal prolapse. However, the clinical proof is certainly lacking in these cases. Many individuals have reported that they are body feels less stress and tension after receiving the reflexology massage. However, there are no research findings that show clinical proof that reflexology is able to make significant changes or prudence in particular cases.

Reflexology is a very interesting field. It has long-standing traditions which were initiated in Egyptian times. It is quite fascinating to see how much our predecessors knew about the relationships of the body. It seems that Western science has much to learn from these ancient practitioners. - 16887

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