“I haven’t felt this relaxed in years!” I hear this so often after a client receives a Reflexology treatment.
Most people feel some level of anxiety during their life. Some people feel mild anxiety, while others, it can affect their quality of life. Anxiety can cause a person from functioning in everyday activities.
- Some of the symptoms commonly experienced are:
- feelings of panic, fear or worry, restlessness
- difficulty concentrating
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- fatigue
- irritability
- headache, nausea or digestive concerns
- feeling a lack of control
- muscle tension
Reflexology can assist in a feeling of great relaxation and a sense of well-being.
Reflexology is a healing modality that uses light to moderate pressure on specific reflex points on the feet, hands or ears. The body has reflex areas that correspond to every organ, muscle, nerve and glad. By stimulating the reflexes, our body relaxes. When the body is relaxed, it can more easily heal itself. Reflexology also helps to balance all systems in your body. It can be
compared to a Tune Up for your body. When one part of the body is not working optimally, it can affect the entire body.
Reflexology uses specific techniques to help relieve tension, improve blood circulation and assist in bringing the body into a star of relaxation. One hour of Reflexology, is equivalent to 16 hours of sleep. A lot of people enjoy Reflexology, due to it being non-invasive, does not require medication, and does not need special equipment.
In a study done by the University of Udine, Italy in the 1970’s, concluded that reflexology can be used as a treatment to complement or support conventional medical treatments to relieve anxiety. It was also proven to be effective in improving patients’ feeling of wellbeing.
In another study by the East Carolina University School Of Nursing in 2000, cancer patients received a 20 minute reflexology session. Those who receive the treatments, report a significant decrease in their feelings of anxiety.
Here are a few points on your body that can help to release feelings of Anxiety:
1. Hall of impression point
The hall of impression point lies between your eyebrows. Applying pressure to this point is said to help with both anxiety and stress.
To use this point:
1. Sit comfortably. It can help to close your eyes.
2. Touch the spot between your eyebrows with your index finger or thumb.
3. Take slow, deep breaths and apply gentle, firm pressure in a circular motion for 5 to 10 minutes.
2.Union valley point
You find this pressure point in the webbing between your thumb and index finger.
Stimulating this point is said to reduce stress, headaches, and neck pain. Like the shoulder well point, it can also induce labor, so avoid this point if you’re pregnant.
To use this point:
1. With your index finger and thumb, apply firm pressure to the webbing between the thumb and index finger of your other hand.
2. Massage the pressure point for four to five seconds, taking slow, deep breaths.
3. Great surge point
The great surge pressure point is on your foot, about two or three finger widths below the intersection of your big toe and second toe.
The point lies in the hollow just above the bone.
This pressure point may help to reduce anxiety and stress. You can also use it for pain, insomnia, and menstrual cramps.
To use this point:
1. Find the point by moving your finger down straight down from between your first two toes.
2. Apply firm, deep pressure to the point.
3. Massage for four to five seconds.
4. Inner frontier Gate Point
You can find the inner frontier gate point on your arm, about three finger widths below your wrist.
Stimulating this point may help to reduce anxiety while also relieving nausea and pain.
To use this point:
1. Turn one hand so your palm faces up.
2. With your other hand, measure three fingers below your wrist. The point lies here, in the hollow between the tendons.
3. Apply pressure to the point and massage for four to five seconds.