All About Reflexology Massage
Reflexology or zone therapy is another traditional massage technique. Reflexology can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians. It works by massaging specific areas of the hands and feet. These areas of the hands and feet are believed to be connected to vital organs throughout the body. This is to help in relieving tension and stiffness in the body. Many practitioners differ on their approaches to reflexology and there can be vast differences between them.
But fear not, there is some common ground in the reflexology world. Reflexology targets specific points of the hands and feet. Massage movements stimulate specific reflexology points that are supposed to be connected to other organs within the body. Although reflexology has been around for centuries, no clinical studies have been performed to validate the benefits of this type of massage.
Reflexology has been practiced throughout the ages. It can be traced as far back as 2330 B. C. The Egyptians have left evidence of the connections of reflexology and their links to other parts of the body. One of the more noted researchers is Eunice Ingham. Her first reflexology works were published between 1938 and 1942 throughout the world.
Reflexology is relatively new United States and was introduced in 1938. Eunice Ingham and Dwight Byers introduced the Ingham method of reflexology. This method is for relaxing and releasing tension in the body. The Ingham method provides the basis for which most other reflexology massage types that exist today.
Reflexology is a natural thing which applies particular massage movements to stimulate major organs throughout the body. There are no known side effects of getting a reflexology massage. When these reflexology points are stimulated, its corresponding organ is relaxed.
Practitioners of reflexology massage can be certified. The Reflexology Association of America provides a certificate program for those needing its guidelines. This association also promulgates the guidelines that set the standards for reflexology training and practice.
Reflexology massage is interesting assets only apply to mainly the hands and feet. This has made it somewhat difficult for practitioners to only specialize and this technique. As massage gains more notoriety as a natural treatment, reflexology will also increase in popularity.
There isn’t a lot of research on reflexology. This area is starting to get more attention with the emphasis on more natural therapies. You can find some further research at Reflexology Association of America. Most of their research is around pain control.
Other research indicates a wide variety of benefits. Again, since there are no clinical studies, some of these benefits must be taken with a grain of salt. But other benefits include reducing hair loss, rectal prolapse and reductions in cardiac diseases. It certainly will be interesting to see some more studies and the traditional area.
Reflexology is a field of many traditions. Although there is a main certification board, many operate outside of this particular board. There are many diverse practices of reflexology but, nowadays all come back to the connection between the hands and feet and the rest of the body. Like many traditional fields, the light of science is slowly beginning to rise.