Reflexology: A Complementary Therapy for Pain Relief

Reflexology is a type of holistic complementary therapy that involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet (and sometimes hands or ears). Known as reflex zone therapy, these reflex points (acupressure points) are related to different organs and body systems, stimulating these acupressure points can benefit their corresponding body parts. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and modern Western practices, reflexology is often used to promote relaxation, reduce stress, support fertility, alleviate menopause symptoms, and manage various types of pain and inflammation.

How Reflexology Works

The stimulation of specific reflexology points on the feet sends signals via the nervous system to help restore balance in the body. I also favour traditional Chinese reflexology methods to deliver enhanced benefits. TCM reflexology stimulates the flow of blood and qi (life force energy) through the body meridians to promote wellbeing and self healing.

Benefits Of Reflexology

Nervous system stimulation: Helps stimulate nerve endings and improve neural communication between the brain and the body,
Circulation improvement: Enhances blood flow to all areas of the body,
Endorphin release: Can encourage the body to release these natural painkillers,
Boost immune system: By stimulating the lymphatic system, reflexology can help remove toxins and waste products from the body more efficiently and can enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body,
Balance hormones: Regulating the endocrine (hormonal) system benefits menstrual cycle, peri menopause and menopause, thyroid conditions, adrenal glands, and fertility,
Benefits digestion: Stimulating the digestive system and promoting circulation can help alleviate conditions like constipation, diarrhoea, food intolerances, IBS, gastric acid issues and indigestion,
Promotes self healing: By balancing and regulating every system in the body and promoting good quality restorative sleep, reflexology can energise the body’s innate natural self healing abilities.

Refelxology For Pain Management

Reflexology may be used as a complementary therapy in a variety of pain or inflammation related conditions, including:

Any type of inflammation
- Stimulating the reflex points that correspond to specific organs and body systems to promote relaxation and improving blood and lymph circulation to reduce inflammation, ease pain and improve overall well-being,

Menstrual and menopause pain
- May reduce the intensity and duration of pain during menstruation or menopause by balancing the endocrine system, regulating the flow of blood throughout the entire body and promoting the release of natural pain killing endorphins,
Acute and chronic pain
- Acute and Chronic Pain by naturally reducing stress, anxiety and tension, all of which can increase the perception and intensity of pain, by improving circulation which, in itself, reduces pain, by clearing blood and qi stagnations from the meridians to reduce pain including back pain, neck pain, arthritis, joint pain and muscle pain,

Migraine and headaches
- Reflexology treatments have been associated with fewer and less intense headaches and migraine and works by promoting smooth blood flow, naturally reducing stress and muscle tension and promoting beneficial sleep,
Sciatic pain
- The sciatic nerves are 2 of the longest nerves in the body, starting in the lumbar spine region, passing through the hips, buttocks, down the backs of the thighs to the lower legs. The sciatic nerves can be treated via the sciatic band reflex areas on the feet. Reflexology improves whole body blood circulation throughout the body and helps with peripheral neuropathy, providing pain relief as well as helping release the pinched sciatic nerve.

How Many Reflexology Treatments?

A single reflexology treatment can be helpful for general relaxation, reducing short term stress and improving sleep. For a longer term health condition, including pain or inflammation, a longer course of treatments would be beneficial, usually 6 – 8 sessions, although most people usually start to notice benefits after 3-6 treatments. I usually recommend booking a course of 6 treatments to start, receiving 1 treatment per week for at least the first 4 weeks, after which a treatment every 2 weeks should suffice. When sufficient relief has been achieved, many people like to continue having 1 treatment per month as a maintenance therapy,

How To Reap The Maximum Benefits Of Your Reflexology

In order to get the maximum benefits from your reflexology treatment I recommend the following in the 1-2 days afterwards;

1. Stay hydrated

Try to drink plenty of water for at least 24 hours after your treatment to help flush out the excess toxins and waste products that are released by reflexology. I also recommend being fully hydrated for 24 hours before your reflexology.

2. Eat Lightly

When you eat, your body naturally diverts your blood flow to your stomach to digest your meal, and this can affect the efficiency of your treatment.

3. Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

Stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol should be avoided for at least 24 hours before and after your treatment.

4. Get Enough Rest

It is normal to feel tired or lethargic for a day or two after reflexology, so its important to listen to your body and give it the rest it requires.

Would You Like More Infromation?

If you would like to know more about how reflexology therapy can help with your pain management, please call, text or whatsapp me on 0864554748, use my Contact Me page or email me at geraldinefay@mail.com and I will be more than happy to talk with you.

Regards, Geraldine