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wildflower health and wellness clinic reflexology

All About Reflexology

You may have heard of reflexology in passing or perhaps you’ve seen a foot chart that has body parts and organs on it and wondered what it means. We’ll dive into what reflexology is and the benefits of this treatment. 

Reflexology has been traced back to 3000 BC (or further) in ancient Egypt, China, India and Native American tribes and eventually made its way to the continents of Europe and North America. 

Reflexology is also known as zone therapy, spot therapy, and reflex therapy. 

Your head, feet and hands are three areas of the body that get used on a daily basis and generally do not get taken care of as often as other parts of your body. Once experiencing a reflexology treatment you most likely will fall into a deep sleep from relaxation. Sounds amazing, right?  Let’s get into what reflexology is. 

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the head, feet and hands that relate to all parts of the body such as the liver, lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys and more.  Reflex points are connected to the body’s natural electrical energy known as Qi.  Every meridian begins and ends in the head, feet and hands.  Using gentle pressure to stimulate these points, it allows for the Qi to move along the nervous system & meridian lines to clear any blockages on the meridians or organs in the corresponding zones. It can also help to break up crystalline deposits thus improving the natural flow of the body’s energies. 

The head/ears, hands and feet are a reflection of your entire body from head to toe. All systems of the body can be accessed through these reflexes. When receiving a treatment, the reflexologist will work from either on your feet only or head, feet, and hands together. Reflexologists can feel if there is any tension or sensitivities in certain reflex points such as your liver or kidneys and help to improve blood circulation and detoxification in those areas. 

Reflexologists cannot diagnose, prescribe or treat specific conditions regarding medical issues. They will advise you to see your medical doctor or primary care physician if there are any areas of concern. 

foot reflexology chart
Source: Healthline

Benefits of Reflexology

Reflexology’s many benefits include:

Improves circulation

Optimizes blood and energy circulation in the body 

Boosts immunity

Focuses on the immune and glandular systems

Balances systems

Promotes overall health by balancing the nervous system, circulatory system, and more

Promotes relaxation

Supports endorphin release and reduces stress hormones to relax the mind and body

What Research Says About Reflexology

As it becomes more popular, more studies are being done on reflexology and its benefits.

Some studies have shown that foot reflexology can help for pain relief, including headaches, backaches, joint aches, and even pain during pregnancy and childbirth. It’s also been found to be support conditions like strokes, insomnia, asthma, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Reflexology vs. Acupuncture vs. Massage: What’s the Difference? 

 

Reflexology

Acupuncture

Massage

Targeting

Reflex points and meridians

Acupuncture points and meridians

Muscle groups and pain points

How It’s Done

Applying gentle pressure and healing energy to reflex points that correlate to organs and all parts of the body. Non-invasive treatment. 

Non-invasive treatment given by a reflexologist. 

Applying pressure to acupuncture points with hair-thin needles that perforate the skin. Derived from Chinese medicine and focuses on specific points throughout the body. 

Invasive treatment given by an acupuncturist or naturopathic doctor. 

Manual technique that applies pressure to areas on the whole body to help relieve tension. 

Non-invasive treatment given by a massage therapist. 

Best For

Relaxation of the nervous system, improving circulation, boosting immunity, reducing pain and balancing all systems in the body as they all work together to heal your body. 

Similar to reflexology, it focuses on the central nervous system and promotes healing. Acupuncture can also help with pain management, fertility, emotional distress and more. 

Focusing on musculoskeletal concerns such as tight muscles or injuries to promote better movement and less pain. 

What to Consider Before Trying Reflexology

Reflexology can benefit many people, but it’s not for everyone. Here are a few things to know before trying this treatment.

Who reflexology is for

Reflexology is recommended for all ages as it’s a natural, holistic and relaxing treatment. It can benefit anyone who is looking for self-care remedies or to help improve health and healing in their body. 

It is a non-invasive treatment.

Generally, clients are asked to wear comfortable clothing as the clothing is kept on for the treatment (aside from their socks) and the treatment can be done with the client laying down or sitting up. 

Who reflexology is not recommended for

Reflexology may not be for certain clients, including: 

    • High-risk pregnancy clients
    • Anyone with open wounds, ulcers or infections that can be transmitted 
    • Anyone with known blood clots (improving circulation may cause them to move in the body)

Ready to try reflexology? Book your first session with our reflexologist today.

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How to Treat a Concussion Wildflower Health and Wellness

How to Treat a Concussion

You’ve decided to allow your child to try out for the football team at school. You know that they will be provided with protective equipment so it must be safe. Yet, there’s a voice in the back of your head wondering if this might be a bad idea. After all, 3.8 million concussions get reported each year from sports and 70% of those reports are for children who incur the injury from recreational sports. Before you say yes or no to contact sports for your kids, let’s learn more about what concussions are and how to treat a concussion.

how to treat a concussion
photo courtesy of Ben Hershey

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that occurs when the head is bumped or hit with intensity. As a result, the brain slams against the inside walls of the skull. The impact can cause brain cells to get damaged and result in long-term serious health issues.

Concussions commonly occur during competitive and recreational sports and physical activities. They are also common injuries from car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents. Any activity that puts your head at risk of being directly or indirectly hit, bumped, or jolted puts you at risk for a concussion.

What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

It’s a common misconception that concussions cause the sufferer to immediately fall unconscious. While this can happen, it certainly doesn’t happen in all cases. Each brain injury is unique and so are its symptoms.

Some of the most commonly reported symptoms include:

  • Pressure in the head and neck
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Blurred vision and dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Memory loss and fogginess
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Difficulty concentrating

Parents and coaches must remember that a child does not have to lose consciousness when they suffer a concussion. They might display one or more of the symptoms above at the onset of the injury. More symptoms can develop over time.

When you witness a child or teenager suffer a head injury, pull them from the activity immediately. Regardless of how badly they may want to resume playing, it’s critical that their symptoms are investigated.

Engaging in physical activity while suffering from a concussion can cause further brain damage.

How to Treat a Concussion

The first step to treat a concussion is to get an official diagnosis from a doctor. They will ask the injured person questions about their symptoms. They may also run diagnostic CT scans of the brain.

In some cases, concussion symptoms resolve themselves. However, for some patients the symptoms remain present and debilitating for a long period of time.

The patient should not return to school, work, or play until they get the green light from their doctor. Until then, the doctor will likely recommend plenty of rest, sleep, and limited physical activities. As they see the patient begin to heal, they may permit gradual reintroduction to school and activities.

The doctor may also suggest that the patient sees an osteopathic manual practitioner. Osteopathic practitioners can help treat some of the symptoms of concussions like head and neck pain and nausea. An osteopath uses craniosacral therapy, fascia therapy and osteoarticular techniques to relieve pain and restore function.

At Wildflower Health and Wellness, our team of qualified and experienced osteopathic manual practitioners can aid in your concussion recovery. Contact us today to learn more. Â