Commonly called zone therapy, reflexology is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that focuses on applying pressure to your hands and feet to stimulate changes in other parts of your body. Reflexology for laryngitis focuses on the throat area of the foot, which is located where the foot meets your toes. However, you should consult your health-care provider first, and keep in mind that there are no clinical studies showing the safety and efficacy of reflexology for laryngitis.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis refers to inflammation of your larynx, or voice box, which is located in your throat. The primary cause of laryngitis is overuse of your voice. However, other causes include infection and irritants such as cigarette smoke. You may experience a sore throat and partial or complete voice loss. If you have viral laryngitis, you may experience cold-like symptoms, including fever and runny nose. Reflexology for laryngitis aims to stimulate lymphatic flow in the area corresponding to your throat to boost the healing process.
Preparation
You should write down any questions you have for your practitioner regarding your session for laryngitis. It is helpful inform your practitioner if you have any cuts or open sores on your feet. Your practitioner will soak your feet in warm water to prepare them for the session. You will be lying on a massage table, so you can bring head phones and soothing music to help you relax. If your throat is currently soar, you also can bring a soothing lozenge to suck on during the session.
Session
You can expect your reflexology session for laryngitis to last about an hour. Your practitioner will generally take a detailed health history to help guide the session. Your practitioner will gently massage foot zones that correspond to your throat, lungs and chest. Even though reflexology is considered a gentle technique, some areas of your feet may feel very sensitive. You should tell your practitioner is you experience pain at any time during the session.
Tips
In addition to reflexology, you should drink plenty of fluids and rest your voice as much as possible. You should avoid cigarette smoke during recovery. Your reflexology practitioner may recommend immune-boosting supplements to aid in the healing process. Taking vitamin C may help. A typical dose is 1,000 to 3000 milligrams per day. Ann Gillangers of the British School of Reflexology also recommends taking 100 to 200 milligrams of the herb echinacea for two to three weeks.
References
- Medical Encyclopedia: Larayngitis
- Ann Gillanders Reflexology International: Case History: Simon -- Laryngitis
- The Reflexology Manual: An Easy-to-Use Illustrated Guide to the Healing Zones of the Hands and Feet; Pauline Wills; October 1995
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