Reflexology Is Helping My Family

By: Queue Murphy
          Reflexology is an interesting practice.  According to the International Institute of Reflexology, it was practiced by the Egyptian culture as early as 2330 B.C..  They also state that doctors believe that over 75% of our health problems can be linked to nervous stress and tension.  (http://www.reflexology-usa.net/facts.htm).  
     The practice of reflexology is that areas of the feet, hands and ears correspond to organs and systems of the body.  Practioners and millions around the world believe that when you apply pressure to these areas, the person’s health is benefited including stress and depression reduction.    People can be helped in a natural and holistic way without medication with this practice.  The National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health have found that this practice may reduce pain and psychological symptoms of anxiety and depression, and enhance relaxation and sleep.  It may also have benefits in palliative care of people with cancer (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/what-is-reflexology/faq-20058139).     I have also read that doing this practice can stimulate cramping in pregnant women – so contact your doctor before practicing on anyone. 
  My husband suffers from a chronic kidney condition and I watched as doctors continued to give him pill after pill after pill.  The side affects were apparent and we worried about what other organs he was damaging.  We worked on his diet,  but I wanted to figure out something more.  I started reading about reflexology.  Most nights, he gets foot rubs from me now.  When I first started with the map, his feet were very sensitive and he kept grimacing in pain.  As I continued nightly, it changed.  His sinus condition subsided, and his feet and lower legs improved in their color.  His kidney condition reduces circulation to his feet and legs and this has improved the blood flow according to the much healthier color they are now.
     My 97-year-old grandmother was recently taken to a rehab center due to a fall, in which she hurt her already painful back.  I spent yesterday massaging her feet and relaxing her.  She fell into a deep sleep and when I came back later in the evening, she was more comfortable, and had moved her bowels – something she hadn’t done in 3 days.
     I don’t know if what I am doing is helping my husband and grandmother.  What I do know is that they love it, they say it feels great, and they are much less tense.  I can also see the physical changes in what they are going through.  My conclusion is that reflexology has been a benefit for my loved ones and I will continue to expand my use of it – it definitely doesn’t hurt!  Try it!
I visited this site for more info and charts: http://www.reflexology-research.com/index.php/tools-for-learning-reflexology-sp-841/reflexology-charts/foot-reflexology-chart
Other reflexology links that will interest you:
http://www.reflexology-usa.net/facts.htm
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00546/Reflexology-Dr-Weil-Wellness-Therapies.html
​

---