Reflexology is a system based upon the concept that there are reflex areas in the feet (and hands) which correspond to the glands, organs, and other parts of the body. In reflexology, pressure is applied to these reflex points with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques with the premise that a physical change is effected in the corresponding part of the body.
Reflex work is one of the oldest forms of treatment known to mankind. Its history dates back as far as 7,000 years ago to the East Indian medical classic, known as the Vedas. One volume of the Vedas deals entirely with the ‘art of piercing with a needle’ which was written about 3000 years ago. Reflex work is also found written down about 400 B.C. in a book that remains the foundation of all Chinese medicine. This book, the Nei Ching – The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine – is a treatise on life itself. The fact that reflex work is still being practiced today, thousands of years later, speaks much for the efficiency of this treatment and for the laws and principles in which it is based.
- Reduce stress
- Induce deep relaxation
- Improve circulation
- Cleanse the body of toxins (lymphatic stimulation)
- Revitalize energy, physical and mental
- Balance the body's systems
- Activate the body’s natural healing process
- Because it is non-invasive and indirect, it can be used as an aid to most conditions and as a complement to most other treatment modalities.
It can all be applied to all conditions both simple and acute as well as the more chronic. It is safe and often dramatic in its effect. A time does come when disease is so deeply seated that the sufferer is beyond human help. But in prior stages reflexology can serve to be successful. The treatment of the early stages can as we said be dramatic sometimes, but if these early stages have been untreated or possibly mistreated they will in the course of time, cause organic change, and the simple illness becomes chronic. In this case, long and patient work will be required. Reflex work is not recommended in those cases of emergency resulting from accident or advanced disease where immediate surgical or medical treatment is needed to save the persons life. There is also the terminal cases previously mentioned where the person is beyond human help. Nevertheless, in such cases do not overlook the use of reflexology to relieve pain and suffering such as in terminal cancer cases.
Institute of
Integrative Medicine
Windber Medical Center
600 Somerset Avenue,
Windber PA 15963
• Jeanne Brinker RN, BSN, Director of Institute of
Integrative Medicine Tel: (814) 467-3000 or E-mail:
jbrinke@conemaugh.org
