Reflexology is a healing art of ancient origin. Although its origins are not well documented, there are reliefs on the walls of a Sixth Dynasty Egyptian tomb (c.2450 B.C.) that depict two seated men receiving massage on their hands and feet. From Egypt, the practice may have entered the Western world during the conquests of the Roman Empire. The concepts of reflexology have also been traced to pre-dynastic China (possibly as early as 3000 B.C.) and to ancient Indian medicine. The Inca civilisation may have subscribed to the theories of reflexology and passed on the practice of this treatment to the Native Americans in the territories that eventually entered the United States.
Reflexology, applied properly, may alleviate allergy symptoms, decrease stress, decrease symptoms of back pain and other muscular aches and pains, help with symptoms of chronic fatigue, improve sleep patterns, reduce high blood pressure, alleviate symptoms of IBS and other digestive disorders, reduce symptoms of PMS, PMT and menopause. The techniques of reflexology can be performed conveniently on the hand in situations where a session on the feet is not practical.
It may help in the treatment of a variety of conditions and injuries. One example is fibromyalgia. People with this disease are encouraged to undergo reflexology therapy to alleviate any of a number of chronic bowel syndromes associated with the condition. Frequent brief sessions of reflexology therapy are also recommended as an alternative to drug therapy for controlling the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia and for relieving difficult breathing caused by tightness in the muscles of the clients’ neck and throat.
Reflexology at The Human Touch
At The Human Touch you can have hand or foot reflexology or a combination of both. Before your reflexology treatment you will have a short preliminary discussion with the reflexologist, to enable her to focus accurately on your specific complaints and to determine the appropriate pressure points for treatment. During your treatment she will use massage and reflexology techniques to primarily warm, stretch and relax your feet, then apply reflexology to all reflex points, focusing on particular points relating specifically to your individual symptoms. She will finish the treatment using therapeutic relaxation techniques, stretching the feet and applying a short gentle massage to your feet ankles and calves. You will then be given a short time to settle after treatment and offered a drink of water.
The Human Touch team hold regular Wednesday afternoon clinics at the Southwick Community Centre, 24 Southwick Street, BN42 4TE from 2-5pm. For more information please visit http://thehumantouchshoreham.com/reflexology/ or call Mary on 07796 518667
