It comes as no surprise that most people love a good foot massage, but what might surprise you is that a foot massage can be good for your entire body. You may wonder how having a foot massage could possibly affect your entire body and the answer is reflexology. Reflexology is an ancient technique that can be traced all the way back to the Chinese and Egyptians 2,000 years ago. It is based on the idea that there are reflex points on the feet that correspond to numerous areas of the body. For example, the tips of your toes connect to your brain, the middle of your toes connects to your sinuses, the bottom of your heel connects to your lower back/hip and knee and the middle of your foot connects to your kidney.
Research over the years has shown that stimulating these reflex points can bring a variety of benefits. Tiffany Field, Ph.D., director of the Touch Research Institute at the University Of Miami School Of Medicine says that using moderate pressure is key in generating the best outcomes. Reflexologists believe that by applying moderate pressure to different regions on the foot, a signal will flow through the nervous system and the body will then recognize the stimulus and begin its own healing process.
According to Reflexology Research, a survey of 170 reflexology studies from 21 countries shows that reflexology is effective at helping an assortment of physical and mental concerns.
Here are some of the physical and psychological benefits supported by reflexology research:
- Creates relaxation: When moderate pressure is applied, heart rate and blood pressure go down and brain waves change in the direction of relaxation. There is also a decrease in stress hormones, which supports the endurance or immune cells. Immune cells kill bacterial, viral and cancer cells.
- Improves blood flow: Several studies have shown that reflexology increases blood flow to the body part corresponding to the part on your foot being stimulated as well as your actual foot.
- Helps mental health: Research has shown that reflexology may have a role in relieving depression and anxiety, improving sleep and making cancer patients more comfortable.
Although there is no scientific evidence of direct connections between parts of the foot and parts of the body, it is clear from research that the effects of massage travel throughout the body. This was proven in a study performed by the Touch Research Institute where fetal responses were monitored while hand and foot massages were given to the mother – while the fetuses had no response to the hand massage, they reacted to the foot massage.
After learning how many positive benefits can come from a reflexology massage, perhaps it’s time to incorporate it into your wellness routine, and while you’re at it, you might consider adding a therapeutic sugar foot scrub, available at all Massage Envy locations. FBN