So Much More than a Foot Massage!

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So Much More than a Foot Massage!

Bill Flocco

American Academy of Reflexology

 

eflexology has long been viewed by many Americans and medical

professionals as little more than a foot massage.

Now: Recent scientific studies show that chronic pain,

digestive disorders and other common health problems can be relieved

through the use of this practice. Reflexology, which was developed by

three medical professionals in the early 20th century, involves applying

pressure to specific areas -- known as " reflex points " --

located on the feet, hands and ears.

How it works: When a body part is injured or stops

functioning properly due to disease, irritating chemicals accumulate in

distant but related nerve endings in the feet, hands and ears. Various

studies have repeatedly shown that when certain parts of the feet, hands

and ears are worked on with touch techniques, relief results in

corresponding parts of the body.

Bonus: You can perform many basic forms of reflexology on

yourself or a partner.*

*To find a certified reflexologist in your area, contact the American

Reflexology Certification Board, 303-933-6921,

 

www.arcb.net.

For best results, work on all of the reflex points described in this

article for at least five minutes twice a day, four or more times a week.

Relief can be experienced within minutes, but it sometimes takes days or

weeks of repeatedly working on the appropriate reflex areas to get

results.

Caution: Do not work on bruises, cuts, sores, skin

infections or directly on areas where you have damaged a bone or strained

a joint during the preceding three to six months. If you've had surgery

or suffered a bone fracture, ask your surgeon when it's safe to perform

reflexology on these areas.

The main technique used on most parts of the feet and hands, including

those points described below, is the " thumb roll. "

What to do: Place gentle pressure with the pad of your

thumb against the area on which you wish to work. Maintaining this

pressure and moving slowly, bend the knuckle in the center of the thumb

in an upward direction and roll your thumb from the pad toward the tip,

moving it forward. Next, reverse the movement of the knuckle, so that

once your thumb is flattened you can do another thumb roll, each time

moving forward in the direction the thumb is pointing.

Reflex points that correspond to common complaints...

HEARTBURN

What to do: While sitting in a chair, place your left foot

on your right knee. Use your left thumb to locate the " diaphragm

line, " which separates the ball of your foot and your instep, where

the skin color changes between the pad and soft part of the sole. On this

line, about an inch from the inner edge of the foot, press gently with

the tip of your thumb while squeezing gently with your index finger on

top of the foot for five to 10 minutes.

Next, place the tip of your right thumb on the soft part of your left

palm at the point between the base of the knuckles below your index and

middle fingers. With the fingers of your right hand gently squeezing the

back of your left hand, apply gentle pressure with the tip of your right

thumb for five to 10 minutes.

HEADACHE

What to do: Start with the hand corresponding to the side

of your head where the pain is most noticeable. On the back of that hand,

locate a point about an inch below the base knuckle of your index finger

in the fleshy web between your index finger and thumb. Place the tip of

the thumb of your other hand on this point and the tip of your index

finger of the other hand on the palm side of this point, squeezing to

find a spot that's slightly thicker and more tender than the surrounding

area. While maintaining steady pressure, gently move the tip of your

thumb in small circles over this spot. (This movement is different from

the thumb roll.) It usually takes about five minutes of work to alleviate

a tension headache, and up to an hour to reduce or eliminate a migraine

headache.

Caution: This point should not be worked on during the

first trimester of pregnancy, as it could have an adverse effect on the

fetus. Instead, work only on the related point on the ear, as described

below.

After you have completed the hand reflexology, locate the small, hard

flap of cartilage at the top of your earlobe, then feel where this flap

and the earlobe meet. With the tip of your thumb on the front of the ear

and the tip of your index finger behind the ear, gently squeeze this

point between your index finger and thumb, feeling for a spot that's

slightly thicker and more tender than the surrounding area. Squeeze both

ears at once, holding for five to 10 minutes, while resting your elbows

on a table or desk.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

What to do: While sitting, place your left foot on your

right knee. With the fingers of your left hand, gently grasp the top of

the foot. Using the thumb roll technique in repeated overlapping strips,

work across from the inner edge to the outer edge of the foot, on all of

the soft part of the sole and the entire heel, for 10 minutes. Repeat,

using your right thumb on the bottom of your right foot.

After you have completed the foot reflexology, use your right thumb to

perform the thumb roll technique on your left palm. Work from the outside

to the inside of the palm, starting just below the base of the fingers

and progressing toward the wrist. Repeat, using your left thumb to work

on the right palm.

NECK PAIN AND STIFF NECK

What to do: Move your finger slightly above the cartilage

flap described in the headache section, and find a ridge of cartilage

running up and down the ear. Place the tips of your index fingers on the

lower inch of this ridge on both ears while resting your elbows on a

table or desk. Squeeze gently but firmly between your index fingers and

thumbs, with your thumbs behind the ears. Continue for five to 10

minutes.

Bottom Line/Health interviewed Bill Flocco, a reflexology

teacher and researcher and the founder and director of the American

Academy of Reflexology, based in Los Angeles. He is the author of several

books on reflexology, including Reflexology Research: Anatomy of a

Reflexology Research Study (William Sanford).