Foot Reflexology Basics You Must Know

Foot reflexology is the ancient oriental art of healing ailments through nerves of the organs which are connected to the feet.

Practitioners rely on a map of the foot, which explains in detail which areas are connected to various parts of the body. These include:

  1. The toes and fingers have nerve endings that are connected to the head and the neck.
  2. The ball of the foot is connected to the chest, upper back, heart, and lungs.
  3. The insides of the feet reflect the spine area.

Reflexology also entails the use of the hand for nerve endings connected; hence some practitioners also work with the hands during a session.

The benefits of foot reflexology

Foot reflexology is recognized as one of the most effective ways to cure stress and a number of ailments.

The feet and hands help set equilibrium for the rest of the body, and the benefits of reflexology have been verified by many scientific studies. Some benefits include:

  • Sense of relaxation and calmness.
  • Acts as an effective complement to other forms of treatment for major diseases such as cancer.
  • Overall improved blood flow and circulation, which also leads to better immunity and energy levels.
  • Effective cure for headaches, fatigue, sleep and appetite disorders.
  • Foot reflexology is also recognized to be a helpful aid for those who are battling depression, stress disorders, trauma, and anxiety.
  • It has also been recognized as an effective aid for those who are going through post-surgery stress, and can also help women have less pain during labor.
  • No additional pills, tools, or invasive methods are needed for foot reflexology. It is completely safe and an effective alternative means to western medicine today.

What to expect during a foot reflexology session?

During the session, you will be sitting on a chair and the practitioner will sit down on a lower chair to be able to reach your feet. The session can last from 30 minutes to an hour.

Hand techniques using pressure, stretching, and movement will be applied to the entire foot. Although the practitioner should move at your pace, at times you may experience some pain or discomfort when they are pressing certain areas in your foot.

The corresponding areas of the pain mean that certain organs may have some sort of ailment.

However, you should communicate your personal preferences to your foot reflexology practitioner. This will help them to determine the areas of pain and prescribe future treatment for you, or ask you to see a doctor.

Throughout the rest of the foot reflexology session, you will feel very relaxed and even possibly sleepy, so you should feel free to lean back and take a nap if you feel like it while the practitioner does their work.

Precaution before engaging in foot reflexology

Although it is completely safe, you should consult a doctor or your physician if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, have history of heart disease, blood clots, or other existing illnesses before you have foot reflexology done.