In the face of Black Friday, some of the items you will find on sale relate to a practice known as reflexology.
Reflexology is a methodology of healing where applying pressure on specific areas of the feet or hands is believed to release stress on specific organs and systems in the body. It is a form of alternative medicine taken from traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM.
The people who perform reflexology are called reflexologists and they use a foot chart to determine where pressure needs to be applied. Reflexology is often combined with massage therapy, chiropractic work, acupuncture, cupping, and other forms of relaxation.
How Effective Is Reflexology?
There is difficulty in analyzing reflexology to determine whether it works or not. Few scientific studies exist. There are lots of individual accounts of people who have found amazing benefits in reflexology.
From the few studies we have about reflexology, there is some evidence to suggest it can reduce pain and psychological symptoms, such as stress and anxiety. There is also support for reflexology helping sleep and, overall, relaxing the body just like massage therapy does. As reflexology is combined with other therapies, however, it’s hard to single out how much of a benefit relates strictly to it.
Presently, there is no significant research that shows that reflexology is effective in treating any medical conditions. That said, reflexology is very low risk. Its risks are comparable to a foot massage. If you’re interested in seeing whether reflexology could work for you, it’s well worth a try and you may be surprised. You can start with buying yourself some Gua Sha tools which are used for reflexology. At the very least, expect some stress relief and relaxation from a session.
It may be more beneficial to look at other forms of TCM or massage therapy instead of reflexology. In fact, there is a lot more research supporting the claimed benefits of common TCM therapies like massage, acupuncture, and cupping. They’re also relatively low risk. Reflexology offers a philosophy that is interesting but when it comes down to it, the data does not consistently support it as effective on all individuals.
What Can You Expect from a Reflexology Session?
When you have reflexology performed, the average appointment is 25-60 minutes. It is similarly structured to massage therapy, in this regard.
After getting some basic information about your health and lifestyle, a reflexologist will then work around your feet, applying pressure in specific areas according to the problems you want to resolve. Like a massage, a reflexologist will typically use a lotion or cream but it’s not always necessary. Some reflexologists will use IASTM tools to achieve better results.
At the end of a single reflexology session, you can wait a few hours and judge the effects first-hand.
This Black Friday, sales on reflexology tools, acupuncture needles, silicone cupping sets, and more are available at Lierre.ca. Receive the tools you need to deliver high-quality care to the body, freeing the body from stress and providing some instant calm. Shop these tools and resources today at Lierre.ca.