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Health& Living
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Written by PATIENCE AKUMU
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Wednesday, 25 November 2009 18:48 |
 The hustle and bustle of every day life can be extremely overwhelming for our entire body system. Juggling work, school and family in the fast-paced modern world often leaves us feeling tired, weakens our immune system and makes us susceptible to disease, stress and fatigue.
Conventional medicine may sometimes seem to fall short, and this is the point when we suffer from persistent headaches and malaria. Reflexology comes in to empower your body and reinvigorate your body system.
What is Reflexology?
Dr. Gerald Luzindana, of Kisakye Reflexology and Nutritional Centre in Ntinda, describes reflexology as a holistic healing method that enables the body to heal through stimulation of reflexes in the feet, palms and ears. Reflexology has, like any other branch of medicine, revolved over the years.
Over 5,000 years ago the Cherokee of North Africa practiced reflexology. Other ethnicities across China, India and Japan also practiced the art. Today the best reflexologists are said to be from China. There is no consensus on how it works.
For example some reflexologists don’t believe in the existence of energy that blocks the pathways in the body. However, they all agree that each part of the feet is said to correspond with a particular part of the body and by manipulating these parts one can improve on health.
According to www.reflexologyresearch.com, the left foot or hand reflects the left side of the body, while the right hand and foot represent the right side of the body. The spine reflex area runs down inside of the feet and hands. Reflex areas for the arm and shoulder are reflected towards the outer side of the arms or feet.
Toes and fingers mirror the head and neck and the parts they encase. The ball of the foot represents the chest, upper back and lungs. Halfway down the foot at the ticklish baseline of the long borne is the waistline. Above this line are all parts above the waist line and below are all parts below the waist line.
Why Reflexology?
The benefits of Reflexology are internal, external, emotional and physical, and the flight and fight instincts of our minds and bodies are at the centre of this treatment.
Kevin And Barbara Krunz, prominent American reflexologists explain on their website, www.reflexology.com, that the same reflexes that communicate to the feet to flee or hands to fight in case of threats or danger are proof that there is a link between the body and internal organs.
This is in response to some critics who have questioned the effectiveness of reflexology, calling it no more than a commercial massage. Dr. Luzindana too refutes the claim that reflexology is ineffective,
‘”My clients can bear me witness,” he says. “Reflexology has turned their lives around.”
According to Luzindana, reflexology is particularly good for the elderly who may not be able to do regular exercises. It also detoxifies and cleans the body, helping it fight infections. It induces a sense of relaxation, encourages body healing, balances blood pressure and blood sugar, cures insomnia, eases pain and relaxes muscles.
The lymphatic system and nervous system are also given a boost and this improves the general wellbeing of the body. For those suffering from cancer and arthritis, reflexology is an excellent pain reliever without side effects. It relieves the large and small intestines and clears the digestive system.
Reflexology is good for treatment of respiratory disorders since the feeling of relief clears and deepens breathing. It causes lungs to expand to the normal size, and encourages expulsion of mucus by
opening the small vessels in the skull.
This way the body is able to fight infections like flu and sinuses. Reflexology is particularly good for women’s reproductive health, treating menstrual disorders and regulating the hormones in pre-menopausal women. This controls complications such as heavy bleeding, menstrual cramps and regulates the entire menstrual cycle.
Reflexology can be dangerous
Luzindana warns that when not done by a qualified professional, reflexology can be dangerous, even life-threatening. For example it should not be done to women less than sixteen weeks pregnant or those with a history of miscarriages. People with diabetes should receive reflexology for a shorter period since their skin is weak, while those with high temperature due to malaria should stay away from it completely since it can cause them to lose essential body toxins.
Even if reflexology can regulate blood pressure, it is not advisable for highly hypertensive people. Before such people receive reflexology treatment, their pressure must be stabilised first. It is also not recommended for babies below five years. These can opt for an ordinary baby massage. Under no circumstances should reflexology be given to someone who is under the influence of alcohol.
Watch out for quacks
Numerous Reflexology centres are mushrooming in Kampala each day. Practitioners admit that the trade has been infiltrated by a lot of quacks. Also unlike general medicine, there is no clear law regulating the licensing and registration of reflexologists. So make sure you go to a reputable professional, because reflexology can be very dangerous if not skilfully done.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 November 2009 22:31 |
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