Reflexology seems like a fancy name for a foot massage. How is it different?
Reflexology is a science that deals with the reflex areas in our feet and hands that correspond to every organ, gland and other part of our body. It's absolutely different altogether from a foot massage.
A foot massage is just massaging the feet, while reflexology focuses on pressure points. You can't just massage these points to get the benefits, because some of them are very deep. Sometimes the angles at which you hit them are very important. And while a massage can always relax no matter where you rub, we're doing more than that; we're trying to hit the reflexes in exact precise angles with more pressure than just a deep massage.
Why is reflexology beneficial?
It helps in three ways. First, reflexology sessions can help to relieve stress and tension. Secondly, stress acts like a tourniquet around the body systems, so by releasing this stress, you can also improve the nerve and blood supply to every organ and gland in the body. Thirdly, we feel it helps the body to maintain homeostasis, or to regulate itself. So, for example, if the thyroid is overactive, we help to bring it down; if it's under active, we help to bring it up, and, if it's normal already, it's going to stay there.
What makes reflexology very unique is that it really it can't hurt you in any way. There is no evidence that it's bad for anybody. (Naturally, if you have a broken foot or something, you can't work on that.)
