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The Benefits of Reflexology
Discover the Healthy Nature of Reflexology
Find Reflexology Schools | Reflexology Training and Career Guide
| | Reflexology massage encourages whole body health by applying pressure to the energy meridians in the hands and feet to promote increased circulation and energy flow... |
With roots in Chinese medicine, reflexology massage attempts to open the blockages in the energy "life force," known in Chinese medicine as "qi." A reflexologist uses focused massage to apply pressure to the hands and feet along nerve and lymphatic meridians that are connected to different parts of the body. Through this massage, increased circulation and energy flow can be targeted to specific areas of the body to promote healing. Practitioners also believe that this type of massage also promotes overall well-being and helps to maintain the body's natural equilibrium.
The Origins of Reflexology Massage
Reflexology massage is known to have been practiced in ancient Egypt, and has existed in various forms in China and Japan for thousands of years, but was rediscovered and further developed in the United States by an ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr. William Fitzgerald, in 1913, when he found that applying pressure to the hands and feet created numbness or gave relief to various parts of the body. He identified 10 "zones" in the feet and hands, and with Dr. Edwin Bowers, wrote the book Zone Therapy, which is how the practice was known until the 1960s.
Reflexology massage is also said to promote healing for specific ailments such as back pain, migraines, and hormonal and sinus problems, by stimulating energy flow and circulation in the related meridians in the feet and hands. For example, reflexologists believe that the stomach and colon have related meridians in the middle of the bottom of the foot, and when these areas are stimulated through massage, increased lymphatic flow help to remove toxins, while nerve stimulation help to increase oxygen and blood flow.
Other doctors and zone therapy practitioners have furthered the understanding of these zones, locating more specific areas that correspond to specific organs, such as the liver, heart, colon, adrenal gland, kidneys, bladder and stomach.
How You Can Get Your Reflexology Career Started
Training for reflexology massage is often available at massage schools, and certification is awarded through the independently organized American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB). ARCB certifies the competency of reflexology career practitioners on an individual basis, and programs usually last about six months with 200 hours of training to qualify you for certification.
With the growth in the alternative medicine field, now is a great time to incorporate reflexology massage into your practice, or get started in the holistic health field. Gaining this knowledge can increase your skills and knowledge, and can help you meet the demand for this ancient and fascinating treatment.
Sources:
Medindia Health Network, 1997-2008
Reflexology Research, 2008
American Reflexology Certification Board, 2007
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