I am excited for the Fall season that is upon us with the month of October. It brings a sense of change and new smells and colors into our lives. Many of us may celebrate some holiday events that were altered in 2020, yet the seasons of change around us give a fresh look at the days we prepare for going forward. The excitement I feel comes through in my work at Restorative Wellness, located on Kinderkamack Road, in Oradell, NJ. The clients appear to explore new dimensions of their strengths and even the value of investigating different ways to calm and reframe their own wellness. One of the techniques they have available to explore at this practice is Reflexology. For those who are not familiar with this service, let me share some insight in the following passages…
Reflexology is a technique that provides total relaxation to a client and can complement any medical and naturopathic approach that may be in use by the client for healing, wellness, and balance. It is a technique that focuses on the hands and the feet (however at Restorative Wellness, the focus remains only with the feet). This modality is a wonderful way to promote stress relief and health to the total body.
When you think of your feet, we know how important they are to get up and move us to where we are going. Pain in the foot is not fun, a break or fracture or surgery to the foot or toe is even less fun when you need to wear a boot for several weeks. In Reflexology the 33 joints and thousands of nerves that are used to innervate the muscles and tendons and circulation to what we need them to do when we want to move or dance, or exercise, are all fully acknowledged and appreciated during the session.
Reflexology is a way of viewing the WHOLE body—its major organs, glands, and muscular-skeletal system, and circulatory system, in a systematic organized manner when addressing each foot. Through a consistent and focused method of approach, the certified therapist uses a manipulative gentle technique to activate the healing processes of the body and also identify areas that may need additional attention (like a shoulder, abdomen, or breast) and follow up for evaluation of potential problems that are not yet fully present to the client or are validated by the client when pointed out to them. For example, when working on the shoulder component of the foot, the therapist may feel something that is not smooth, ask the question and confirm that the client has been having ‘problems with the shoulder for weeks…”. This can lead to recommendations and referrals for the issue to be addressed formally instead of waiting for the ‘pain and discomfort to resolve on its own.”
Reflexology is not a new concept. It has been around since 2450 bc in Egypt, China, and India. It has been depicted in archeological drawings indicating that this is clearly not a 21st-century new medical approach to healing. However, the practice of Reflexology has been improved upon since the 1930s. The changes have made it more effective in stimulating glands and promoting circulation.
From one’s head to toes, inside and out, our whole body is depicted in the Reflexology approach to the feet.
The benefits are plenty when Reflexology is administered by a skilled and certified Reflexology practitioner. After a fifty-minute session of reflexology, some of the measurable and reported outcomes include the following:
- Stress reduction and increased relaxation
- Improvement of circulation and digestion
- Helps clear the body of toxins and impurities
- Balances the whole system
Revitalizes energy - Improves mental health
- Stimulates creativity and productivity
You can conceptualize reflexology as a preventive approach to health care that is performed regularly, like any other preventative measure you may employ (like chiropractic care, walking daily, eating healthy, drinking water daily), changes can be seen and experienced that impact healing, mood, and sense of balance.
The goal of reflexology from ancient times to today is to strengthen and balance energy flow and uses the concept of chi (our energy source) following tend energy zones /five per foot/ wherein all the organs, and body parts lie along these zones.
I have to say, Reflexology is not just a quick soaking of the feet and massage, which no doubt feels good. It is a skillful, progressive inching of pressure to each aspect of the feet to assess and address the whole body system/organs, glands, joints, to ensure balance and reestablishment of health for the whole system. During the process, sometimes clients talk about issues that trouble them, others take a nap. They are in a safe place, and the service is relaxing and soothing.
I welcome you to make an appointment at Restorative Wellness in Oradell to try this service provided by a certified practitioner, who is dedicated to the philosophy and positive outcomes of this modality for one’s peace, health, and personal balance.
Wishing you a wonderful day of peace and joy. I hope we get to work together soon.
Namaste,
Santa
photo credit: Bonnie Kittle