If you've never tried an alternative or complementary treatment method, reflexology and acupressure are great ways to begin. Reflexology offers total body relaxation through manipulation and massage of the feet, while acupressure boasts all the stress and pain management effects of acupuncture without the potentially scary needles. Reflexology and acupressure are not a replacement for conventional medical therapies, however.
Theories
The core idea behind reflexology is that each organ and part of the body maps onto the feet, according to Barbara and Kevin Kunz, reflexologists and authors of "Reflexology: Health at Your Fingertips." Massaging a specific area of the foot triggers a healing reaction in the corresponding organ or body part. Acupressure works by manipulating subtle energy lines, called "meridians," believed to run throughout the body. Practitioners of acupressure access the meridians through "points," key spots just under the skin. Stimulating the points releases stale chi or qi and restores the healthy flow of energy, according to Acupressure Online.
Key Similarities
Acupressure and reflexology both work holistically---they seek to treat the whole person, rather than the disease or the symptom. Many holistic practitioners hold that all diseases and symptoms have the same cause: the disruption of the circulation of qi, energy that flows throughout the body, according to Vicki Pitman, a reflexologist practicing in Bradford on Avon, U.K. and author of "Reflexology: A Practical Approach." Pitman calls such disruptions "disharmony in the flow," and notes that they arise when energy is blocked, overactive, or sluggish.
Key Differences
The main practical difference between a reflexology treatment and an acupressure treatment is where the practitioner works. A reflexologist works exclusively on your feet and sometimes your hands; an acupressure practitioner works on points all over your body. While acupressure accesses the flow of qi by opening the meridians, reflexology works more directly on the nervous system, according to Synthia Andrews, massage and bodywork therapist and co-author of "Acupressure & Reflexology for Dummies."
What to Expect
When you go for your first reflexology or acupressure treatment, expect to spend a few minutes talking with the practitioner before she gets started. She'll want to know about any concerns you might have, and will probably ask some background questions. Remember that she's going to treat the whole you, not just your symptoms. A reflexologist will seat you in a special chair that allows easy access to your feet. Acupressure is usually done while you are lying on a massage table. A typical reflexology or acupressure session lasts for 45 minutes to an hour.
Accreditation
Two separate governing bodies offer certification for reflexologists and acupressure practitioners. Checking for accreditation is one way to ensure that your practitioner has received good training and developed a solid knowledge base. The American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB) sets professional standards and offers a national level exam for reflexologists. As of 2010, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) offers certification in Asian Bodywork, a category that includes acupressure. NCCAOM certification involves a rigorous apprenticeship and documentation of education and training hours, in addition to scoring 70 percent on an exam.
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