Healthy Living: Need to relax? Try Reflexology

Welcome to Healthy Living!

Most of us want to live a healthier life, but it is sometimes a daunting task trying to sift through the often-conflicting information we are given, in an effort to find what will work for us. We have all heard the ongoing debate about whether low-carb diets are healthy or bad for us and the varied opinions about which carbs we should be eating. There is the accepted opinion that coffee/caffeine has a harmful effect on your life and then the newer opinion that it is actually beneficial. The same is true for alcohol - red wine to be specific - does it kill brain cells or does is that negated due to the positive, healthy effects it seems to have on the heart? These debates are only the tip of the iceberg . . .
While the previous issues address what we should and shouldn't be eating, there is also the question of what to do if we have developed some ill effects (not feeling well, no energy, weight gain, disease) and want to reverse them. There are so many possible solutions. Do we fast - and if so what kind of fast (juice, water, fruit)? Do we need to detox? If so - how? Herbal cleanses, colonics, saunas, body wraps, sea water baths, Epsom salt baths? What herbs will help heal our bodies and in what quantities? And what about the alternative therapies: massage, Reiki, bio-feedback, hypnotherapy, meditation, light therapy, aromatherapy (to name only a few!)? Which of these would help us in our particular situation?
How to make sense of all this information? We would like to have this site be a place to discuss which things have worked for us (or haven't) and hopefully by sharing our experiences we will be able to help each other wade through all the possibilities and find our own paths to a Healthy Life!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Need to relax? Try Reflexology

Reflexology is an ancient healing art which naturally stimulates every part of the body. It can help to relieve tension, release toxins, improve circulation and bring the body back to a healthy state. This form of therapy has been around since 2500 BC in Egypt, Japan, India and China, but is only now gaining popularity in North America with many holistic spas introducing the service to their clients. England, China and Denmark recognize reflexology as a vital part of healing and it is covered by their health care systems.

Reflexology was introduced to North America more than 85 years ago by Dr. William Fitzgerald, a medical doctor who had been working in Vienna. He used the therapy on his patients and found it to be quite beneficial. At the same time, there were other medical doctors practicing in Germany and England. Dr. Fitzgerald had an assistant, Eunice Ingram, who was known as the "Mother of Modern Reflexology". Her book "Stories the Feet Can Tell through Reflexology" is an easy read and very informative. Reading about the therapy and actually experiencing it are not the same. Many clients fall asleep after the first 10 to 15 minutes of the session, though of course it impacts each person differently. Some clients may find themselves sweating, tired, more energized, or having a headache.

Reflexology is based on the premise that the body is divided into 10 zones, each one corresponding to a specific body part. By applying gentle pressure to all surfaces of the feet, it can bring much relief from pain, headache, digestive concerns, asthma, insomnia, stress and other concerns. When one part of the feet is massaged, it affects another. There are four main techniques applied and the treatment can last from 30 to 60 minutes.

Studies have shown that when a reflexologist was placed on staff by one company, employee productivity increased and the number of sick days used decreased. This seems like it would be great incentive for more companies to consider offering this service to their employees.