:: Hand Reflexology ::

herbivor

Hand reflexology - a calming touch
Carmel Thomason
7/ 8/2006

If you talk about reflexology, most people associate it with pressure points on the feet.

These pressure points are based on zone therapy, which links different parts of the feet to different parts of the body

However, for those who can't bear to have someone else touch their feet, help is at hand, because a similar zone therapy can also be applied to the hands, which claims to have similar results.

Husband and wife team Barbara and Kevin Kunz are leading international experts in both hand and foot reflexology, pioneering research, teaching, practice, regulation and documentation of the treatment for more than 25 years.

"Some may consider hand reflexology to be a new practice but, in fact, both hand and foot reflexology have been used as part of medical care since as far back as Egyptian times," Kevin explains.

"Recently, however, its popularity has grown with the increase in hand-use intensive activities such as key boarding, Blackberrys, texting, and video games, because hand reflexology provides a respite in the hand's busy day and relief from the new stresses technology has placed on our hands."


Calming
Reflexology works by interrupting stress patterns in the body, through stimulating pressure sensors on the hands and feet that induce a specific relaxation response in the corresponding body part.

This in turn is said to reduce stress in the nervous system, promoting beneficial effects on the whole body.

The goal is to lower your stress sufficiently to allow your body to begin to repair itself.

"Sophisticated measuring devices used by researchers in Singapore have shown in one study that reflexology impacts heart health," he adds.

"Another study also showed that reflexology work produces the same effects in the brain as those produced by an individual who is meditating.

Both studies used the real-time measurement of reflexology work with an EKG and an EEG respectively."


Hands and feet
While obviously not exactly the same process, hand and foot reflexology are linked, with the hand reflexology map mirroring the foot reflexology map.

Some consider foot reflexology to be the more effective practice, because the shoe-wearing foot is more protected and therefore more sensitive to reflexology work.

However, hands have the benefit of being more easily accessible and therefore available for more frequent reflexology work.

"Research has shown a foot-to-hand link so that hand reflexology can be very effective for the same issues addressed by foot reflexology," explains Kevin.

"Hand reflexology may be easier to learn, simply because most of us are more accustomed to handling and working with our hands rather than our feet.

One of the great things about hand reflexology is that it is simple, effective and safe."


Easy
Getting started in hand reflexology is easy, he says.

Pressure, stretch and movement are your tools to use for a happier hand and a healthier you. Pull gently on a finger. Press the webbing of your hand between thumb and fingertip.

Grasp the body of the hand and move it from side to side. Any such activities provide a bit of respite. "One caveat is tailoring one's enthusiasm for reflexology work to match the hand's capabilities," Kevin warns.



In other words, don't get carried away by overly working your hands when applying reflexology technique. It is important that the technique be kept within the recipient's comfort zone.

"Overuse can result from the application of technique that is too much, too long or too hard," Kevin adds.

"If part of the hand feels unduly sensitive to the touch following reflexology work, rest it for a few days before resuming work.

Lessen the time and frequency of application but if the hand is still sensitive, stop."

As well as simply using your hand for manipulation, traditional massage tools such as foot rollers can also be used.

However, Kevin's favourite is a golf ball. "Grasp the hands together, holding a golf ball between the hands, and then roll the ball throughout the palm below the thumb," he explains.

"This simple technique helps one apply pressure to reflex areas reflecting parts of the body significant to one's well-being.

These include the energy producing adrenal glands and pancreas, the stress relieving solar plexus as well as the major organs, the kidneys and stomach.


Belief not necessary
"Reflexology will work for anyone even those who don't believe," he adds. "If the individual will allow relaxation to take place as reflexology work is applied. Relaxation is the key to reflexology.

"The list of significant responses to our 30 years of reflexology work could go on and on.

It may be that the most positive result we've had over the years is to show clients that change for the better is possible, that improved health is truly in their hands and in their feet."

(Source: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Dilto

kalau pompuan pregnant...Boleh tak diurut samada hand atau foot reflexology ni

herbivor

Originally posted by Dilto at 22-3-2007 04:39 PM
kalau pompuan pregnant...Boleh tak diurut samada hand atau foot reflexology ni

hmmm good question. i can't really answer that tho. but logically, whatever exercise yang tak keterlaluan, pregnant lady boleh buat kot ...

mawarbduri

kat mana bleh dapatkan servis urutan ni??

ummihanis

mcm best je teknik ni ...kalu dpt belajar bestkan..

merissa

blum penah try hand reflexology tapi foot reflexology tu penah lah...fuhh sakit siott..