How can reflexology help?
Reflexology is based on the principle that areas in the feet, hands and other parts of the body relate to the internal organs and other structures of the body. The points to which pressure is applied are located by reference to both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and reflex zone therapy.
“most neglected areas of our body”
Our feet are possibly one of the more important and most neglected areas of our body. Let’s face it, we tend to forget about them until we need to put on flip-flops or stub a toe. We would literally be nowhere without our feet, they carry us everywhere, generally without complaint unless you are wearing sky-high stilettos.
“Physically your feet tend to reflect your shape and size”
In Reflexology terms, your feet are a reflection of you and the road you have travelled. Physically your feet tend to reflect your shape and size, tall and slender, short and petite and everything in between. They can tell a reflexologist where you have been and what you have done.
Your session
Reflexology similarly to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks at all aspects of your life, before your first session you will need to fill out a comprehensive form which looks not only at your medical history but also at the stress factors in your life.
“Our bodies are amazing they have the capacity to recover, heal and regenerate”
The reflexology treatment itself seeks to relax you, rebalance your body and help your body to heal itself. Our bodies are amazing they have the capacity to recover, heal and regenerate from so many things. Stress has become such a huge part of our lives, that high levels of stress are the norm, not the exception. Irish people have been under even more pressure and strain the past few years, we are working longer and harder for less and have so little time left free for ourselves and our families, never mind even beginning to think about the impact the constant stress is having on our bodies.
After your reflexology session
After your reflexology session, you should feel relaxed, refreshed as though you just had the most wonderful power nap. Your feet should feel tingly and bouncy. You should sleep better and find that your energy levels have increased. Sometimes after a session, you can feel really tired and sleep for 12 hours afterwards. Each session is as individual as you and your feet.
“work quite frequently in tandem with doctors and consultants”
Reflexologists don’t diagnose but can tell you if they find something out of balance in the body and will occasionally advise you to check in with your doctor. They work quite frequently in tandem with doctors and consultants as part of your general medical care. Because of its gentle nature, it’s been safely used as part of cancer care programmes, with the elderly and as part of palliative care. It is also being used to manage stress levels in sub fertility cases and can be used in conjunction with fertility treatment programmes with the consent of consultants.
Everyone should have their favourite touch therapy treatment”
Touch is such an important thing to humans there are so many studies proving how much we need touch to survive. So if you have never had a massage of any kind, perhaps reflexology could be for you. Everyone should have their favourite touch therapy treatment, be it massage, reflexology, head massage. Try them out to find your favourite, even better if you can combine them into an aromatherapy foot massages.
Pregnancy Reflexology
Pregnancy reflexology is a very popular therapy amongst women before, during and after birth. The reason is because it’s safe, non-invasive, effective and deeply relaxing. During this amazing time in a woman’s life, the joys are plentiful but so is the pain and discomfort. Physical, emotional and mental changes can be challenging for many women. Studies have shown 16% of women experience depression, up to 80% experience nausea, more than 50% of them experience fluid retention and most suffer from cramping, fatigue and digestive discomfort.
There isn’t much medication that can be taken at this time in their lives so most look for comfort in natural solutions to alleviate symptoms. Reflexology is one of these that provide a comforting and nurturing environment for both mother and baby. Although it’s just the feet that are touched, it works throughout the whole body. Anyone that has a treatment describes it as feeling like having a full body massage on your feet! Case studies have shown women who have frequent sessions throughout their pregnancies are more settled, babies breastfeed better and even women who have had caesarean sections seem to recover quicker. Your reflexologist will work on pressure points in the feet with the aim to bring about balance within the whole body and encourages everything to work better together.
Booking Your Appointment
To book an appointment with any of our therapists please call 01 677 9859 or email info@the-elbowroom.com.