Foot reflexology: what it treats, how it works, and how much it costs.

Helps against theinsomnia, depression and the food intolerances. It may have beneficial effects for back pain. back, neck, and muscles. Foot reflexology has ancient origins, but recent scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness and have revived its use. It can also be used to slow down very serious diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Index of topics

What

Reflexology is a complementary medicine that uses specific points on the soles of the feet, either through pressure or massage, to achieve benefits and alleviate ailments or conditions in other parts of the body. In essence, reflexology involves projecting the entire body onto a specific part of it.

The ancient Indian and Chinese populations had already recognized 5.000 years ago the power of massage on specific body areas to control pain. This insight was adopted by the Egyptians, who passed it down through the centuries. However, it was only many centuries later, in 1861, that a British neurologist, Dr. Henry Head (pictured), demonstrated the existence of a neurological relationship between pressure on certain body parts and the internal organs.

How it works

Foot reflexology works according to this basic principle: the right foot contains the reflex zones of the organs located on the right side of the body; the left foot, on the other hand, corresponds to the organs located on the left side of the body. Examples: massages and stimulations on the left foot can have an effect on the spleen, on the liver, on the heart and onintestine; on the right foot, however, the reflexes will benefit the lung right. Furthermore, according to foot reflexology, the left foot indicates the family sphere, affections and emotions. The right foot instead indicates the social sphere and professional.

What it cures

Reflexology can be used to treat various conditions. In particular:

treatment of cancer pain
rheumatoid arthritis
anxiety and stress
headaches
neuralgia and neuropathies

Benefits

A scientific research on foot reflexology, conducted by the Neurostimulation Center of the Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico in Milan, and published in the journal Neurological sciences, has shown that this stimulation of the feet has an effect on the flow of nervous information, both at the cardiac and cerebral level. And therefore foot reflexology improves concentration and the memory, helps for:

trough
sleep disorders
neuromuscular pain
back pains
neck pain
metabolic problems
food intolerances
gastroesophageal reflux
bad digestion
gastritis
colitis
constipation
swollen abdomen,
rebalancing the sense of hunger
menstrual cycle disorders
amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea
menopause discomforts
weight gain
chronic fatigue
swollen feet and legs
hallux valgus

Foot reflexology and insomnia

A 2022 cross-sectional survey, which brings together some of the most recent studies on foot reflexology, conducted in Great Britain by Judith Whatley of the Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences and by Joanne Perkins (Swansea University, Galels) and Carol Samuel (University of Portsmouth), in confirming a series of already known benefits, underlines the help of this manual technique in treating insomnia andmigraineThe results are probably linked to the fact that foot reflexology relieves stress, has a relaxing effect and promotes normalization of the various systems of the organism.

Foot reflexology and Parkinson's disease

Precisely thanks to the effects of foot reflexology on the brain, the new frontier of studies on this complementary medicine has focused on possible benefits for Parkinson's patients. On the website ofHumanitas Here are some of these benefits. Bilateral forefoot stimulation, for example, improves gait in Parkinson's patients within 24 hours of treatment. This could lead to a reduction in the use of expensive and potentially side-effect-laden medications currently used specifically to improve gait. These medications, moreover, are much slower to take effect and have a limited time span compared to foot reflexology.

Cost

The costs of foot reflexology vary greatly depending on the location where the treatments are performed. The cost of a one-hour in-office session is between 40 and 50 euros. For the same amount of time and treatment, the price rises to 90-100 euros for an in-home session. acute phases Up to three sessions a week can be done; for maintenance, however, one or two sessions every seven days are sufficient.

Controindicazioni

Foot reflexology actually has no significant contraindications. Other than the potential for abuse, it is important to know that it does not replace either medical practice Nor does it have a diagnostic function and cannot conflict with the treatment prescribed by your doctor.

What do the colors of the feet indicate?

The color of your foot can be indicative. A healthy foot should always be pink. If the colors are different, however, there may be specific problems in some areas of your body.

A very red foot suggests some cardiovascular check-up.
If the color tends to yellow, it is good to stimulate the pancreas and intestine.
If the dominant color tends towards bluish, then the kidneys need to be checked.

Foot reflexology: what it treats and how it works