The Benefits of Reflexology
by Alice Leng – Studio 8 Beauty Therapist
Reflexology is a holistic therapy treating the whole body, mind and soul. It can help to deal with a variety of emotions and imbalances such as:
- Tiredness.
- Stress.
- Feeling unwell.
- Pain.
- Relaxation.
- To boost energy.
The treatment is a form of therapeutic foot massage and is very effective as a natural form of healing. Amazingly, the feet (or hands) can be used to treat the whole body.
Increasingly, reflexology is being used as a complementary therapy and is often favoured over other therapies. As there is no undressing required prior to treatment except to remove shoes and socks it is very appealing for most people. It is also non-invasive and extremely relaxing for the client.
How does reflexology work ?
Reflexology in its original form, as well as acupuncture, is thought to have originated in China over 5000 years ago and may even date back as far as 2330BC where drawings in an Egyptian tomb illustrated a treatment being performed on the feet.
Reflexology is based on the same principles as acupuncture but without the use of needles. In reflexology and acupuncture the whole body is represented by ‘reflex’ points on the feet or hands. This principal, combined with energy zones that run throughout the body, uses the reflex points in the feet to mirror the organs, glands and corresponding parts of the body. The treatment has evolved from the ancient Chinese and Egyptian form of the treatment and today’s modern reflexology uses the principles of zone therapy studies that were developed in the early 19th century.
During a reflexology treatment the therapist applies gentle pressure to the reflex points to trigger a response or stimulation in the corresponding part of the body utilising the zones channel of energy or “Chi”.
This allows all the systems of the body to function more efficiently enabling blockages to be freed so that the entire body will achieve equilibrium and a re-balanced state.
This gentle non-invasive treatment is particularly effective in the following:
- Stimulate circulation.
- Reduce stress.
- Aid relaxation.
- Pain relief.
- Facilitate homeostasis ( general well-being bringing harmony to the body).
- Strengthen the immune system.
- Revitalise energy.
By helping to restore the body’s natural balance, reflexology can be used as a preventative therapy or to promote self‑healing and can be used to bring relief to a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.
What to expect from a reflexology session
When arriving for a reflexology session your therapist will ask you to complete a consultation to ensure that you are suitable for treatment and to understand the objectives of the treatment. You will be asked to remove your shoes and socks only. The treatment is very relaxing and the room will be set up very similar to massage so that it is warm and inviting and you will be laid on a couch in an inclined position so that you can totally relax.
The therapist will cleanse and dry your feet before starting as part of the treatment and will then apply a wax or oil to enable her to work. After getting circulation going, warming your feet and encouraging you to relax with a few foot massage movements the therapist will work methodically over your feet applying pressure with a number of massage movements to the feet.
After the therapist has completed the treatment they will not diagnose a specific illness or disorder found during a session but may suggest areas that are out of balance that need working on.
Most people feel a sense of relaxation after their treatment but some may experience a boost of energy.
Your therapist may recommend a course of treatments to address a specific concern or reflexology can be used purely as an individual treatment for relaxation.
If you would like to know more about Reflexology or would like to book a treatment please email the salon on salon@studio8beauty.co.uk or telephone us on 023 9238 0692. A booking button is available on the left hand side of this website if you prefer to book yourself online or for out of hours booking.