Many people are turning to alternative or complementary techniques to improve their health and well-being, according to the Nemours Foundation. While these practices do not cure diseases, they can be part of an overall plan to enhance wellness. Reflexology, which involves the use of pressure on the feet, is an option. Although research shows that reflexology can be beneficial to your health, consult your doctor before embarking on any alternative medical treatment.
Understanding Reflexology
Reflexology's ancient origins begin in China and Egypt. It was American Dr. William Fitzgerald, however, who focused on the connection between areas of the body and certain parts of the foot in the early 1900s. Eunice Ingham furthered Fitzgerald's work in the 1930s and also coined the phrase "reflexology." She identified reflex points on the foot that corresponded to particular zones of the body. Supporters of reflexology believe putting pressure on these points can improve or eliminate health conditions in organs and other parts of the body.
Alleviates Headaches
Reflexology may be beneficial if you suffer from migraines and other types of headaches. Some studies indicate the practice can reduce pain and may keep you from having to take as much pain medication, but the University of Maryland Medical Center notes more studies are needed. Reflexology focuses on increasing your awareness of how your body functions. Supporters believe this may help you notice the signs a migraine is about to occur so that you can take preventive steps before significant pain begins, such as avoiding bright lights or loud noise, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. As a form of massage, reflexology can make you more relaxed, reducing your number of tension headaches as well.
Improves Balance & Mobility
A 2005 Oregon Research Institute study, backed by the National Institute of Aging, found that older adults who walked on cobblestone mats had better balance, mobility and blood pressure in comparison to participants who walked on a conventional flat path. These benefits are tied to reflexology because the uneven walking surface is believed to stimulate and exert pressure on the reflex points on the feet, according to the study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Reduces Anxiety
The practice of reflexology may improve your psychological health by reducing anxiety levels -- even if you are dealing with serious medical problems. A 2005 study from the Michigan State University College of Nursing found that breast cancer patients benefited the most from reflexology in comparison to the use of reminiscence therapy or guided imagery. The study participants had less anxiety and depression, contributing to an improvement in quality of life.
References
- Nemours Foundation: TeensHealth: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- American Cancer Society: Reflexology
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Tension Headache
- Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: Walking on a "Cobblestone Mat" Improves Balance and Fitness and Lowers Blood Pressure, Study Finds
- Michigan State University: Breast Cancer Patients Turn to Reflexology For Comfort
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