Massage Therapy - What Is Reflexology?
There are a range of massage therapy schools in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Most offer a wide assortment of training and courses to meet all requirements of the massage therapist. Many of these offer Reflexology as part of a typical training program. What exactly is Reflexology? It's an alternative treatment approach that concentrates on energy flow to help relieve the tension and stress found in the body.
It's not surprising that the popularity of Reflexology has spread rapidly across the nation. The techniques for reflexology are extremely different from traditional massage, nevertheless include it as part of an optional class for any of the licensed massage and shiatsu degree programs in Minneapolis massage therapy school. Since it's such a popular modality, many massage therapists have chosen to include Reflexology as one of their massage specialties. Because of this, massage therapists can benefit by incorporating Reflexology as an additional modality to their practice. In addition, students pursuing a professional massage therapy degree or continuing their education can learn Reflexology at their school and then add it to their program.
The benefits of Reflexology come from the particular areas of the body where reflex points are located. When applied properly, it will target these reflex areas in the hands and feet to help promote recovery through increased blood flow and decreased tension. This same targeted program will also improve muscle strength in the back and shoulders. However, just as with massage, there are not specific regions of the body which are targeted for reflexology. Instead, it is thought that the feet and hands are the best place for applying pressure for maximum benefits.
Perhaps the most popular area where Reflexology is practiced is over the shoulders and neck. Massage techniques focus mainly on these areas since they are thought to harbor a lot of energy which can be tapped for therapeutic benefits. Because of this, applying pressure points like those in the neck and shoulders is a good way to relax the body and generate additional energy for healing. While massage therapy focuses primarily on pressure points on the body, Reflexology applies its therapy methods to the particular regions where pressure points are located.
Another area where Reflexology could be applied is over the ears. This isn't surprising given the proximity to the neck and head. The ear is also connected to the brain which gives the ears their sensory organ, thus providing a possible source of sensory input. Because the ear comprises sensitive nerve endings, the use of massage to the ears provides a calming effect in addition to the potential benefits of stimulating the nervous system that aids in the healing process. This is why ear reflexology has been viewed as an effective modality in the treatment of chronic conditions like depression, stress and pain.
One of the key ways in which Reflexology may be used is through the application of pressure points on the entire body. Stress points refer to targeted areas in the body which allow for better blood circulation, thus allowing for increased general wellness. By way of example, there's a specific pressure point referred to as the acupoints located close to the wrist. By applying pressure on these acupoints, the reflex points located in the wrist start to transfer blood circulation to the entire body, including the skin. By increasing blood flow, the entire body can maximize its immune system and operate more effectively to fight disease and heal itself.
As previously mentioned, Reflexology uses its finger pressure points to stimulate the nerves in the body. It is this connection to the nervous system which makes Reflexology therapeutic oftentimes. However, as interesting as that may seem, the principal reason that massage therapy is often considered as capable of relieving pain and the treatment of an assortment of conditions is because of its ability to change the state of one's energy system. According to traditional reflexology, the body is made from the five basic meridians that run parallel to one another. By working each meridian with different methods, the energy system of the person is able to be changed.
Massage allows for the easy transfer of energy across the meridians and into the various areas of the body. If done correctly, it can stimulate the proper flow in the body, allowing for organs to obtain the proper nutrients they need. Besides potential benefits 강남출장마사지 like improved circulation, there are also verified reflexology methods that may help decrease pain and reduce the recovery time after an injury or operation. Therefore, regardless of what you originally had in mind once you decided to go to the spa, it might be well worth it to consider Reflexology.