Massage therapy is known as the oldest method of healing. It dates back to the fourth century B.C., states Massage Today. Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, even referenced massage in his writings. Reflexology comes from a Russian term meaning "behavior according to the reflexes," states Reflexology-Research.com. While massage focuses on the entire body and the manipulation of tissues, reflexology is specific to the hands, feet and ears.
Significance
The significance of massage therapy compared to reflexology is that massage therapy manipulates soft tissue and muscles while reflexology claims to directly stimulate sensory nerves which deliver messages to the brain. This stimulation releases chemicals and promotes well-being, writes The Healthy Soles School for Reflexology. Neither practice claims to be a miracle cure, but both massage therapy and reflexology claim to promote relaxation, temporarily reduce pain and release tension.
Benefits
Massage therapists and reflexologists attribute countless benefits to these two therapies. Both therapies claim that their practice promotes proper digestion, respiration and circulation. Other proposed benefits include the release of toxins within the body, stress management and improved concentration.
Differences
Massage therapy and reflexology are different holistic treatments. Although they both promote well-being and relaxation, they involve separate techniques. Massage therapy uses larger movements and motions covering the client's body while reflexology only involves a client's hands, feet and ears. Massage therapists use significant sections of their body to give a massage such as the elbows, forearms and palms while a reflexologist only uses his thumbs and fingers. As stated by The B.O.S.S. LLC, the goal of massage therapy is to change the state of the muscles, whereas reflexology strives to stimulate the bodily systems.
Misconceptions
According to licenced massage therapist, Maria Baffo, one common myth about massage therapy is that it flushes lactic acid out of the system to eliminate sore muscles after exercising. Trauma to muscle tissue is the cause of soreness, not lactic acid. Massage can reduce inflammation, which helps sore muscles, but lactic acid is not the source of the pain, and is metabolized and released from the body on its own. A common myth about reflexology is that certain people cannot benefit from reflexology. Reflexology is safe for all age groups and even for women who are pregnant.
Expert Insight
According to Dr. Stephen Barrett, massage therapy is a way to relax and increase circulation, but there is no scientific proof that it prevents or treats any disease. An ethical massage therapist will not try to diagnose any health condition. However, if a massage therapist discovers a suspicious looking mole or a lump that has not been checked by a doctor, one should see a physician immediately. Dr. Barrett also states that reflexology is a massage that can help one relax, but it cannot diagnose or cure an illness.
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