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RESOURCES FOR REFLEXOLOGY 

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WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY AND HOW DOES IT BENEFIT ME?  

 

Reflexology is a natural, non-invasive form of complementary medicine. It is a body-based general health modality that helps to stimulate your body's innate healing abilities at fundamental levels and assist the body in recovery while boosting overall vitality and general health. 

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Reflexology is both an art and a science using specific manual  touch, pressure, and relaxation techniques, primarily on the feet and hands, to bring about a physiological and psychological calm and normalization. This restorative relaxation creates an environment in the body that inhibits the stress response and promotes normal parasympathetic functions associated with rest that can result in improved sleep and digestion, faster healing of tissue, reductions of pain, increased clarity of mind, better circulation, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and more.   

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Reflexology Newly Defined

In 2016, the three arms of reflexology in the U.S. agreed on one definition to describe the practice: 

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Reflexology is a protocol of manual techniques, such as thumb/finger-walking, hook and backup, and rotating-on-a-point applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands. These techniques stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems and support the body’s efforts to function optimally. The effectiveness of reflexology is recognized worldwide by various national health institutions and the public at large as a distinct complementary practice within the holistic health field.

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The 3 arms of Reflexology in the United States are

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  1. American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB: www.arcb.net), the nonprofit, independent testing agency.

  2. Reflexology Association of America (RAA; www.reflexology-usa.org), the national membership organization.

  3. National Council for Reflexology Educators (NCRE: www.reflexedu.org), the voice and resource center for reflexology educators.

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BENEFITS

Reflexology can be beneficial in a variety of ways but overall helps to reduce symptoms of stress and therefore helps to reduce stress related problems.  It also supports your body's natural healing abilities and allows your internal awareness to direct resources in the body.

Reflexology may

  1. slow down your heart rate and breathing and aid in lowering blood pressure and blood sugar.

  2. help to reduce anxiety and depression

  3. assist with elimination of toxins by stimulating the lymphatic system

  4. boost your energy and immune system

  5. promote self-healing and healing of tissues

  6. help to improve nerve conduction

  7. help with digestion

  8. improve quality of sleep

  9. may interrupt pain pathways and reduce pain.

  10. promote psychological well-being

  11. improved circulation of blood and energy

  12. assist with hormonal balance

  13. foster clarity of thought and creative thinking

  14. assist with relieving foot pain and improving balance and a sense of groundedness

 

It is normal to have any of these reactions during reflexology but always feel free to communicate any discomfort to the reflexologist. 

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  • Perspiration of hands or feet

  • Feeling light-headed

  • Tingling or pin prick sensations

  • Laughing

  • Sighing deeply

  • Disappearance of all pain and discomfort

  • Thirst

  • Sensation of being cold or chilled

  • Overwhelming desire to sleep

  • Coughing

  • Crying

  • Sensation of energy moving in the body

  • Sensations of Warmth

  • Stomach sounds/bowel movements

  • feeling energized

  • relaxed muscles and organs

  • contraction of muscle groups/spasm

  • Sleeping

  • a sensation of being asleep and awake at the same time

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Contra Indications For Reflexology: If you have an active infection, thrombosis, embolism, any disease of the foot, open sores, fungal infection, varicose veins, broken bones, sprains, recent surgery,  or have any other condition that may be cause for concern, please call to inquire before scheduling an appointment or obtain written permission from your medical professional ahead of time. Some conditions can be worked around.  Please note: I am not a doctor and do not practice medicine. Reflexology is considered a complementary general health modality for stress reduction and well-being, but is not a replacement for conventional or allopathic medical care and you should not put off seeking appropriate treatment while exploring complementary services. 

 

OTHER RESOURCES

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Visit the American Reflexology certification board website to find certified reflexologists wherever you are.  https://arcb.net/

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Visit the Reflexology Association of America for information and research on reflexology. http://reflexology-usa.org/

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Northest Foot and Ankle with Dr Ray McClanahan is in Oregon but they offer phone/skype consultations for non-surgical advice on shoes and foot health. Many videos to view for foot function information. 

https://www.nwfootankle.com/about/1

https://www.correcttoes.com

 

Katy Bowman's website helping with movement related issues.  LOTS of free information.

https://nutritiousmovement.com/

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https://www.tuneupfitness.com/therollmodel

a website exploring the benefits of ball rolling on the body. 

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The HeartMath Institute resources page for tools for reducing stress and tapping into the heart space. Science made simple. https://www.heartmath.org/resources/

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Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or Tapping)

Lots of videos and options out there. But my favorite are  

www.eftuniverse.com   with Dawson Church  (monthly newsletter option)
              and                   www.thetappingsolution.com   Nick Ortner and Jessica Ortner

 

click here for a handout on EFT/Tapping you can print out. 
                                

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BOOKS

 

Hmmm books are hard to narrow down. I love to read and have literally hundreds of books on my shelves but here are a few books and most of them are user friendly with great exercises and self care techniques to assist you. 

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Don't Just Sit There (2015)  Katy Bowman

Whole Body Barefoot (2015) Katy Bowman

Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Relief (2011) Katy Bowman

Dynamic Aging by Katy Bowman

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The Story of the Human Body by Daniel Lieberman

Earthing by Ober, Sinatra and Zucker

the Nature Fix by Florence Williams

From Stress to Strength by Robert Eliot, MD

The Tapping Solution by NIck Ortner

The Tapping Solution for Weight Loss by Jessica Ortner

Transforming Stress by Doc Childre and Deborah Rozman (HeartMath)

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SHOES

 

Shoes are not created equal.  Your feet are unique too but there are some human traits that unite us.  When looking for supportive shoes or transitioning to less restrictive shoes, use common sense.   Take time.  Do some research.  Get measured, listen to your body, pick shoes that are comfortable the moment you put them on. Remember our feet are meant to move and move us.  This list of shoe providers offers some alternative options and growing interest in more functional shoe wear.  There is a vast spectrum of shoes still offered on these sites.  These are for your viewing pleasure and for informational purposes and you must determine, along with your medical care providers, what might work best for you.  

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  • Merrill (Merrill makes a larger selection of shoes.  Their very minimal shoes are very minimal...no padding. Though other Merrill styles have more  padding and structure.  They are more commonly found in shoe stores and there are a few places around Harrisburg that carry some of their shoes) 

  • Xeroshoes

  • http://weartested.org/dress-business-casual-minimalist-shoes (article showing different shoe options for men.)

  • www.vivobarefoot.com

  •  Tadeevo Minimalist Shoes (Poland)

  • Jambu (I just ordered a cute pair of sandals from them.)

  • Sanuk Shoes

  • LEMS (men's 9-5)

  • Rieker

  • Altra

  • Munroshoes.com  (They offer 19 sizes and 5 widths and promote accurate measurement of feet.)

  • Teva

  • Olukai

  •  Zemgear

  • Altra Zero Drop

  • Otz Shoes

  • Feelmax “Barefoot” Shoes

  • Tune Footwear

  • TIEKS

  • Kalso Earth

  • Chronology 

  • Converse

  • Camper

  • http://truelinkswear.com

  • Linge

  • Volcom

  • The Drifter Leather

  • Wideshoes.com

  • Soft Star 

  • Oasis  (Diabetic Shoe options)

  • Feiyue 

  • Unshoes (they have a custom made option) 

  • Luna Sandels

  • Shamma Sandels (fun templates to print out to confirm shoe size)

  • Earth Runners

  • http://www.tunefootwear.com/

  • http://theprimalprofessional.com/      men's dress shoes  and the two addresses below are the stores for this link.

  • https://caretsco.com/collections/main-store

  • https://caretsco.com/collections/outlet-store

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