Reflexology is the method of adding pressure to certain parts of the feet for good effects on the feet and other parts of the body. The idea of reflexology has been around for nearly 4,000 years, dating back to ancient Egypt. Reflexology is still debated as an actual treatment and remains as a theory, but there have been some isolated studies done to try and prove it works.
History
According to the University of Minnesota, the Egyptians seem to have been the first to use reflexology according to depicted hieroglyphics on the walls of tombs in ancient Egypt. The Egyptian hieroglyphics depicted the Egyptians rubbing the feet to relieve pain. The University of Minnesota also said that reflexology also had origins in China dating around 1,000 B.C. There were books found in China about releasing the energy blockages in the body. These contained detailed diagrams of the feet and the reflex points on the feet.
Features
Reflexology is often confused with a foot massage. Massaging is a systematic approach of manipulating muscle tissues while reflexology involves focusing on reflex points in the foot while applying pressure for a desired result, according to the American Cancer Society. A foot massage focuses more on relieving direct foot pain in the foot. Reflexology is not used to heal the pain in feet. The American Cancer Society says that reflexology is used to promote relaxation and a greater well being.
Theories/Speculation
Reflexology is not a proven technique and is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as an actual treatment. Practitioners of reflexology claim that it can aid in healing many different ailments. Arthritis, high blood pressure, and even cancer are some ailments that reflexology is claimed to treat. Reflexologists claim that certain reflex points on the foot correlate directly with other organs in the body.
Benefits
Reflexology can be applied to produce strong benefits targeted toward the mental side of the body by reducing stress, anxiety and depression. The common ailment treated during a reflexology session is stress. Reflexology is also known to treat other ailments due to other diseases. In 2000, the National Cancer Institute conducted a study called "Does reflexology impact on cancer patients' quality of life?" with 87 cancer patients using reflexology. The impact from reflexology on cancer patients showed a 100 percent improvement on concentration, nausea, pain and tiredness while providing an overall sense of well being.
Considerations
Eat whole foods during treatment in order to reap the full benefits of reflexology on the feet. The goal of reflexology is to remove toxins and energy blockages in the body and eating whole and organic foods will aid the process by cleaning out the body, according to the University of Minnesota. Whole foods are unprocessed and contain no added ingredients, such as fats or sugars, that are harmful to the body.
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