Reflexology
Reflexology is a form of complementary medicine and involves a method of treatment using massage to reflex areas found in the feet and the hands.
When treating a client with MS, reflexes for the central nervous system will be important and the reflexologist will work more on certain areas relating to the brain and spinal cord. These areas will be massaged more than other reflex points to help the body rid itself of unwanted toxins. The client may feel the benefits immediately, or sometimes after several treatments.
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What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is a form of complementary medicine and involves a method of treatment using massage to reflex areas found in the feet and the hands. Most commonly, the feet are used as the areas to be treated.
In the feet, there are reflex areas corresponding to all the parts of the body and these areas are arranged in such a way as to form a map of the body in the feet with the right foot corresponding to the right side of the body and the left foot the left side. The method offers a means of treating the whole body and of treating the body as a whole. This latter point is an important factor of a natural therapy and allows not only symptoms to be treated but also the causes of symptoms.
The method has been used for several thousands of years and is known to have been practised in a similar manner by the Chinese and the Egyptians.
What to expect from a Reflexology treatment
When first visiting a Reflexology practitioner, a detailed medical history will be taken. The client will then be seated in some form of recliner chair or similar.
The practitioner will initially examine the feet before commencing with the precise massage movement. The particular type of massage involved requires the application of a firm pressure using the side and end of the thumb. In some instances, the fingers may also be employed. All areas on both feet will be massaged.
Areas corresponding to parts of the body which are out of balance will feel uncomfortable or tender when massaged and the degree of tenderness will indicate the degree of imbalance. The sensitivity of the feet varies from person to person and the trained practitioner will understand the correct pressure to apply and how to interpret the tendernesses felt. The massage should not be very uncomfortable to even the most sensitive of feet.
The full treatment session will last approximately three-quarters of an hour and at the end of a session the feet should feel warm and the client relaxed. The number of treatment sessions required will vary depending on the condition being treated.
Reflexology and multiple sclerosis
When treating a client with MS, reflexes for the central nervous system will be important and the reflexologist will work more on certain areas relating to the brain and spinal cord. Common symptoms in MS are pain, spasm, bowel and bladder problems; again these areas will be massaged more than other reflex points to help the body rid itself of unwanted toxins. The client may feel the benefits immediately, or sometimes after several treatments.
Following treatment, it is sometimes possible that the eliminating systems of the body become more active in order to rid the body of unwanted toxic matter. However, if treatment is correctly applied, these reactions should not be severe, most people feel very relaxed and are then advised to drink plenty of water.
