Step to diagnosing what ails you lies in your feet

Susanna Tjokro, Contributor, Jakarta

"A regular foot reflexology session helps keep me healthy. I think reflexology somehow lifts my mind and spirit. It makes me feel better and relaxes my mind," said Patricia, a young professional.

She is just one of many patrons who claim they feel light and joyful for hours afterwards. Reflexology is believed to help keep the body balanced. Many people use it to reduce stress, revitalize their energy and strengthen their immune system.

But what is foot reflexology?

"It's a method of massaging and pressing the reflex points in our feet. Those reflex points are related to certain parts of our body, such as the head, neck, heart, lungs, kidneys and so on," explained Dyah Yuli W. SH, the owner of D & D reflexology clinic.

Reflexology does not only stimulate the circulation of blood, but it also helps to release tension, relieve kidney problems, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, digestive problems, headaches, sinus problems and asthma, especially if you do it on a regular basis.

"When a weakness appears in our body, the flow of blood and our nervous system slows down, causing tiny crystalline deposits. These deposits are created from toxins in our body. This condition slows the performance of our organs and glands, preventing the body from functioning effectively.

"Reflexology breaks these crystals, so normal circulation can be brought back to both the nerves and blood supply of the affected areas. Later, when these deposits are broken up, your body is able to rid itself of stored toxins, which it was unable to do earlier. Correct stimulation of the reflex areas relieves stress and tension, relaxing your body from head to toe," added Dyah Yuli.

In other words, she said, a well-trained reflexologist can detect tiny crystalline deposits in the feet by using their bare hands. By working on those spots, the reflexologist can release blockages, which eases tensions and improves blood circulation.

Nonetheless, it is important to bear in mind that illnesses caused by viruses or cancer cannot be cured by reflexology.

Many people agree that foot massage is different to foot reflexology. Foot massage focuses on the muscles, while foot reflexology focuses on the reflex points in our feet.

According to the Association of Reflexologists (reflexology.org), reflexology itself was practiced thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt, China and India.

Dr. William Fitzgerald, an American ear, nose and throat specialist, introduced reflexology to the western world. Dr. Edwin Bowers and Dr. Joe Shelby also helped him to popularize this method.

Eunice Ingham, one of Dr. Riley's therapists developed the foot reflexology theory. Her book Stories The Feet Can Tell through Reflexology -- Stories The Feet Have Told through Reflexology is a bible in the reflexology world.

Practice may vary from one place to another, but usually the basic steps remain the same.

Generally, the treatment session lasts for about one hour. It begins with a warm footbath to make you relax. A gentle massage, sometimes with heavenly smelling foot cream, will soothe and moisturize you feet. Its main purpose, however, is to stimulate circulation. Finally, your feet will enter the reflexology session.

Some reflexologists will use various instruments for applying pressure (such as a stone or a stick), others insist on using their thumbs and fingers exclusively. Cream or lotion is usually used to ease the strokes and make clients feel more comfortable.

Rubbing the foot between both hands rapidly and placing a fist to the clients' foot are among the basic steps to reduce tension in the foot.

During the session, there might be various sensations in your feet, including discomfort in several or many places. Now and then, you may screech "Ouch!" when you feel a razor-sharp pain in your foot. That happens when the reflexologist strokes the imbalanced reflex point in your foot.

The ache depends on the amount of deposits in your foot and how sensitive you are. Overall, though, the session will be comforting.

Every time I uttered "Ouch!", I promised to change my unhealthy lifestyle, but old habits die hard and I'm still too lazy to exercise! Stress and an unhealthy lifestyle, including a "wrong diet" and lack of exercise are among the things that help garner crystalline deposits.

You may find yourself in a process of trial and error, before finally finding the reflexologist that caters for your needs. If it's uncomfortable for you, ask the therapist to decrease the pressure being applied on your feet.

How reflexology reacts to each person varies. Some clients may feel tired or sleepy, while others may, conversely, feel revitalized. It's all due to the detoxifying reactions.

This natural therapy has almost no potential direct harm, unless you are mislead into thinking it is a substitute for seeing a doctor.

Reflexologists are not licensed doctors, so they are legally not permitted to formally diagnose a client. If you think you have symptoms of lung cancer, for example, visit your doctor, not a reflexologist.

If, for some reason, the reflexologist fails (well, they're only human) to detect a health problem in your body, it will only delay medical treatment.

Pregnant women are also not advised to do reflexology.

On the other hand, reflexologists may be able to locate parts of the body, such as organs, where problems like migraine, sinusitis, exist and help the body revitalize itself by eliminating the crystalline deposits inside.

Many people think foot reflexology is not as effective as drug treatment, which causes swift and significant results, which is true. After your first visit to the reflexologist, you may not notice any significant difference, let alone any major improvement to your health.

Just like any other drug-free treatment, reflexology takes some time and regular application to get your body back to health.

On the other hand, reflexology has none of the side effects of drugs. If you're ill, it will not worsen your health. There is no hazard in reflexology and the possibility of relief and relaxation is worth trying. It is an effective way to make the body do what it is supposed to do.

However, even if you don't believe in its health benefits, you can still feel the blissfully nice experience after your foot reflexology session. One thing is for sure, thanks to the foot spray, scented massage oils or creams, you will get clean, sweet smelling and silky smooth feet!