Foot Reflexology Therapists in Honolulu HI provide a form of massage that is believed to help heal other parts of the body by applying pressure to specific points on the feet. This type of ancient Chinese medicine may leave people in other parts of the world feeling a bit skeptical. How would this kind of method actually work?
Freeing up Energy
The main theory is that reflexology allows the body to heal itself after blockages in energy channels are cleared and stress is released. Pressure on the points, which are known as reflexes, have positive effects on corresponding areas of the body. Foot Reflexology Therapists in Honolulu HI commonly use the thumb to create this pressure, and they apply other tiny movements to the client’s feet with their hands.
A Relaxation Response
Practitioners in conventional Western medicine may take a different view. They may see the relaxation associated with foot massage as being responsible for the beneficial effects. Massage in general is recognized for being able to reduce pain, stress and anxiety. This helps the clients quickly feel better, and those effects may linger for several days. Chronic stress causes excess production of the hormone cortisol, which in turn leads to higher inflammation in the body and increased blood sugar levels.
Relevant Research
Does research verify that foot reflexology is effective? More studies are needed, but the work done so far is promising. A study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, for example, focused on viewing the brain with magnetic resonance imaging as certain reflexes were stimulated. The MRI showed that the correct parts of the body were also stimulated through the reflex points, even when the participants had been told false information about which body part would be affected.
The results of this study refute the idea that reflexology only has placebo effects. A placebo effect means the method would only be helpful because the patient believes in it, not because it is truly effective. Instead, the brain confirms that patients do respond to the stimulation as the therapists expect. Anyone interested in receiving reflexology therapy may visit a website like ThaiIssanMassage.com to get started. You can also follow them on Twitter.
