Reflexology massage involves the stimulation of the feet, hands and ears. This occurs when the licensed massage therapist puts pressure onto certain areas of your feet, hands and ears. The reason for reflexology massage being specifically carried out in these parts of the body is that those parts of the body have key openings into internal and external portions of the body. These areas can greatly effect and help your body refresh itself. Reflexology can be a slightly painful process, but it is also a helpful one if carried out by licensed massage therapists.

Reflexology targets points in your feet, hands and ears that control other parts of your body.

You may feel the effects of this particular therapeutic massage not only outwardly, but inwardly as well. One way to think of the pathways of reflexology, which you will be taught about in massage school, is by zones. Each part of your feet and hands has regions that affect your body. Putting pressure on these certain points will affect your shock system and make you feel like a new person. A good massage therapist school will teach you all this and more.

Another interesting aspect of reflexology massage, is that this form of therapeutic massage can help reconnect your body with your mind. It may sound outlandish, but many times your mind is not in sync with the rest of your body. Licensed massage therapists will be able to correct this problem for you and make you feel a whole lot better.

Reconnecting your mind and body through reflexology can truly help you feel better and more put together. It is commonly known that if your body is healthy and feels better, your daily performance will be better as well.

Why is it important? Reflexology is important, for instance, because your feet control much of your body. For instance, your body’s temperature is controlled by your feet. Reflexology carried out by someone who has studied hard at a good massage therapy school targets the pressure points that keep your body functioning properly.

What reflexology massage areas are found in your feet and hands? In your toes alone there are nerves that control your brain, voice and neck. The middle of your foot is connected to your heart and lungs; toward the bottom of your foot, pressure points affect your liver and kidneys.

Your hand controls you small intestine, bladder, spleen, and the sides of your head among other areas.

How was it discovered? Reflexology found its early development in the work of William H. Fitzgerald, M. D. around the 1900s. He decided to try these tactics on his patients. Further discovery was found by Eunice D. Ingham.

Some doctors today will suggest reflexology massage and may refer you to a licensed massage therapist, while others still prefer the traditional methods. There is no harm in reflexology; it is simply a matter of opinion. Some doctors are more open to homeopathic methods than others.

Licensed massage therapists who have studied at massage therapy colleges or massage therapy schools are the ones to perform this method.

Even though it may not be the main focus in a basic massage session, there is some kind of reflexology involved in most therapeutic massage sessions. In massage schools, massage therapists spend a number of hours studying reflexology. Some licensed massage therapists will even take additional courses to improve their knowledge and expertise in reflexology.

There are also official diplomas and massage therapy degrees that can be earned by a licensed massage therapist in just the study of Reflexology alone. Massage therapy jobs can likewise be obtained in just reflexology alone or in various aspects of therapeutic massage such as sports massage, acupressure and hand massage alongside reflexology massage.

Everyone would like to feel better. Massage therapists help make that happen and reflexology is another way to enhance your body’s mental and physical wellbeing.



Thanks to Paul Fitzgerald for contributing this article to our Massage blog:

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Can you answer primemender5’s question about Massage?:

I am learning acupressure, I found a site that shows the points to press. How long should one hold the pressure on the point? The site does not state.

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Can you answer rallyobed’s question about Massage?:

What is Tai Chi? Also I’d like to know more about the instructor and his methods.
What is Tai Chi? Also I’d like to know more about the instructor and his methods.

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Find Healing Arts Programs in the United States and Canada. There is a vast assortment of healing arts programs from which to choose - among the more popular natural healing courses include studies in massage therapy, myofascial techniques, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, and acupressure.

For instance, healing arts programs in massage therapy are great for the aspiring, professional bodyworkers. In healing arts programs that offer massage training, students are extended hands-on education and instruction in anatomy and physiology, body mechanics, pathology, and the theory and history of massage therapy.

Depending on which one of the many healing arts programs in which you enroll, massage therapy training may include but is not limited to sports massage, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, somatic polarity, Oriental massage, infant and prenatal massage, chair massage, lymphatic drainage massage and many others. In massage therapy healing arts programs, students must often complete a minimum of 300-500 hours* core training; and in some educational institutions, these healing arts programs may exceed 1,000 hours. (States and Provinces vary in educational requirements.)

Healing arts programs in herbal medicine differ in duration and curricula. In a number of Chinese medicine schools, for example, degree programs are available; in addition to certificate/diploma programs. If you elect to participate in an herbal healing arts program, you may be able to earn your Master of Science in Herbal Medicine and become a professional healing arts practitioner. In this particular course, you will learn about the philosophy, theory and practice of herbal medicine; how to identify over 100 herbs, human biology, pharmacology, and medicinal plants, among other subject matter.

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If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding healing arts programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

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Thanks to Gina LaGuardia for contributing this article to our Massage blog:

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Can you answer joe friday’s grrl’s question about Massage?:

I don’t know much about reflexology, just that certain places on the hands and feet correspond to various other parts of the body and its organs. But does reflexology offer anything in the way of help for better sleep? I’ve had chronic insomnia following a traumatic event a decade ago. It’s hard for me to fall asleep, stay asleep, or sleep deeply, and my health has really suffered as a result. No pharmaceuticals (I’ve tried them ALL), herbal remedies or “sleep hygiene” tips I’ve been given over the years has done a bit of good. I’m planning to try hynpnotherapy, EMDR and Alpha-Stim soon with a new, very experienced therapist, but was also curious about reflexology.

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