REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology is a specific pressure technique applied to the feet
or hands where all the internal body structures and organs are
mapped or mirrored in miniature.
How Reflexology works
• After a short massage, a reflexologist will work all of the reflex
points on the foot using different pressure techniques.
• Pain or sensitivity indicates congestion/energy blockages in
the corresponding organ or gland
• Crystals or gritty bits indicate a build up of uric acid or excess
calcium – two of the waste products that build up in the body
when the metabolism is not working efficiently. These
deposits can be felt usually near joints and the clumps can be
broken down by the Reflexology technique & carried away by
blood & lymph flow. It is important to drink water following a
treatment to help with this elimination process.
THE BENEFITS OF REFLEXOLOGY
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Reduces feelings of stress
Calms and soothes
Gives the recipient a feeling of wellbeing
Relaxes mind and body
Encourages elimination
Improves circulation
Boosts immune system
Pain relief
Balances hormones
Reading the Feet
• Infected toe nails normally indicate that the
Reflex Zones to the head area have been
affected. Sugar, alcohol or cigarette use might
be high. Migraine could be a problem.
• Flat feet indicate the Reflex zones to the Spinal
Column are affected. There may also be some
digestive problems such as constipation.
• Congestion in the ankle area would indicate
affected Reflex Zones in the Pelvis or Hip Joint
Reading the Feet
• Bunnions suggest possible congestion in the
Reflex Zones of the Cervical and Thoracic
Spine, the Thyroid and the Pancreas.
• Brittle ridges on nails can be due to Iron
deficiency/anaemia
• Sweaty feet indicate possible hormonal
imbalances.
• An unpleasant smell indicates poor
elimination of toxins from the body.
Evidence based Reflexology
• Reflexology is 93% effective in its application
to 78 physical and mental conditions. This
finding comes from a year-long analysis of 168
studies from twenty-three countries. The
analysis is the focus of the newly released
Evidence-Based Reflexology Series by Barbara
and Kevin Kunz
Reflexology and Pain reduction
• Kunz and Kunz’s assessment of twenty-seven
studies shows positive outcomes for
reflexology work in “significantly reducing
pain”.
• menstruating women,
• cancer patients,
• lower back pain sufferers,
• Pain from surgery.
Reflexology and Cancer
• Fourteen studies from seven countries demonstrate the
impact of reflexology on cancer patients. Results
included: a decrease in anxiety and depression,
alleviation of fatigue, relief from tension, feeling of
comfort and improved well-being, improved quality of
life, and alleviation of post-operative pain and anxiety.
• Further studies showed improvement over responses to
chemotherapy and radiotherapy: decrease in nausea,
vomiting, and fatigue. A significant difference in diastolic
blood pressure, pulse rate, and mood status.
Reflexology and mental health
• Studies showed a significant difference in depression,
perceived stress, systolic blood pressure and natural-killer
cells for middle-aged women ( treatments were daily for 6
weeks)
• Kunz and Kunz note that specific groups benefiting from
reflexology work include: aggressive and anti-social
children; autistic children; individuals in need of
emotional support; mentally ill individuals with severe
and enduring schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive
disorder; and victims of post traumatic stress.
• Sessions were applied weekly over a 6 to 15 week period.
Ten studies showed a reduction in anxiety. Ten
demonstrated a lessening of depression.
• 9 Eglinton Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow
• www.pembrokehealthandwellbeing.ie