Step to diagnosing what ails you lies in your feet

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!