How can reflexology help stress

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Got it! When you arrive: We ask that you wear a mask at all times. If you are mask-exempt, we have a separate waiting area for you — to protect yourself and others. We will check your temperature — if this is above As you enter the premises use provided hand sanitiser and maintain social distancing at all times.

The treatment rooms will be prepared prior to your appointment with all surfaces disinfected after each patient. Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes early for an appointment and unless essential, please come alone. Call Me Back! I was in the hospital recovering from abdominal surgery on my intestines. I was miserable, and actually shaking from the pain and my medicine's inability to relieve it. At first, I refused a reflexology session because the pain was so intense, but my nurse convinced me that this was all they could do for me until the doctor arrived.

As the reflexologist began to work on my feet, I began to feel more calm, and my pain subsided. Fifteen minutes later, when the doctor arrived, I said to him, "This reflexologist is doing more for me than the medicine could. I had seen a reflexologist two to four times a month for almost ten years for relief of fibromyalgia symptoms. I found the frequent reflexology sessions helped me with the pain, enhanced my energy, improved my sleep, and increased my ability to stay connected to my body. My sessions lasted approximately one hour and included all of the reflexology points and areas.

Reflexology allowed me to grow in awareness of how it feels to be in and out of balance. I learned more what allowed balance in my life, and what caused or contributed to stress.

I started walking in nature, riding my bike, and meditating. I took, and then even taught, qigong! Reflexology contributed to my taking responsibility for my health, and I very gently and subtly, felt better and better. I went to a reflexologist for 14 years, during three pregnancies. I always sought people who could help me heal the stress of my demanding job and life, and could contribute to my understanding of ways I could release stress and find balance in my own body.

Crane, B. Reflexology: The Definitive Practitioner's Manual. MA: Element Books, Inc. Lee, Y. The effects of foot reflexology on fatigue and insomnia in patients suffering from coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Reflexology has been shown to lower the physiological markers of arousal, stress and anxiety , including blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate.

Reflexology appears to influence sleep, both directly and indirectly, through several different pathways. Scientific studies have shown a direct benefit for sleep from reflexology, which can elevate sleep quality, reduce fatigue, and improve the symptoms of insomnia.

A review of 40 studies of reflexology, acupressure and sleep found that using these therapies led to significant improvements to insomnia when combined with sleep hygiene practices, such as keeping a regular bedtime, eating well and exercising, avoiding excessive light exposure, and maintaining a quiet, dark, relaxing sleeping space free of electronics.

There are also specific reflex points that correspond to sleep and body functions that influence sleep. For example:. Hat tip to this really helpful article at MindBodyGreen , by reflexologist Laura Norman , for showcasing these foot reflex points that can have an impact on sleep.

There are acupressure points that are connect to sleep problems, including the H7 point , or Heart 7, located on the wrist.

H7 has been the subject of several scientific studies, which have found that acupressure at this point can reduce anxiety and improve insomnia symptoms. A fascinating study on the effects of H7 on sleep found not only did attention to this acupressure point improve anxiety and insomnia, but it also may have influenced melatonin production, restoring melatonin levels to normal range.

In addition to the direct effects that reflexology may have on sleep, reflexology may help sleep indirectly, through its impact on other health conditions. Stress and mood disorders are well known obstacles to sleep.

Reflexology may offer another therapeutic outlet for sleep, by way of its stress and anxiety-reducing capabilities. Reflexology research shows well documented effects on stress and anxiety. A series of studies of middle-aged women demonstrate reductions in stress and fatigue , along with improvements to circulation and blood pressure , with routine reflexology sessions.

And other research conducted in people with specific health conditions, including cancer and heart disease , show improvements to depression and anxiety as a result of practicing reflexology.

Improving and stabilizing mood and reducing stress are overwhelmingly likely to deliver secondary benefits for sleep. Physiological pain is another major, common barrier to sleep. Physical pain can prevent us from falling asleep, and cause us to wake more frequently throughout the night.

Research has documented how reflexology can reduce physical pain , both in healthy adults and in people with specific pain-inducing health problems, including cancer , arthritis , and multiple sclerosis.