Foot massage or foot reflexology has a Chinese origin. It dates back to
more than 3,000 years ago and is used in the prevention and cure of
many health ailments.
Some in fact say, foot massage dates back to ancient Eygyptian times due to archaeological findings in cave drawings in Egypt.
The principle of foot massage rests in the premise that the meridian
network connects all tissues, organs and cells in our body. Each organ
in the body is connected to a specific reflex point on the foot through
the intermediary of 300 nerves. A trained foot reflexologist can put
pressure on different meridians or energy lines on the sole and side of
the feet to determine the cause of illness.
By using pressure to these the reflex points, the foot massage is good
for stimulating the activity internal organs, and to improve blood and
lymph circulation. Thus, the top to bottom well being of a person can
be made through the foot.
The principles of foot massage is not in congruence with western
allopathic medicine. Western medicine merely sees the foot as a body
part comprising of bones, ligaments and joints.
However, foot massage is fast gaining much popularity and acceptance as
an alternative health treatment. Fans of foot massage believe it can
cure not only colds and minor ailments, but more serious ailments as
well. These ailments include liver dysfunction, constipation problems,
chronic headaches, skin allergies, etc.
Like most Oriental medical techniques, foot reflexology is a “holistic”
treatment. It concentrates on treating the whole person rather than
just the symptoms of one particular ailment.
While Western medicine promises speedy recovery of all unpleasant
symptoms, foot massage therapy can be slow and gradual. A series of
visits is necessary to strengthen the body and to bring the body back
to balance.
A session of foot reflexology in San Francisco, can set you back as
much as US$40-100. Thus, foot massages over a period of time, can add
up in terms of costs.
However, for practitioners and believers of foot massage, the cost for
good health is well worth it. The alternative would have been money
spent in clinics and western hospitals for prescription drugs and
perhaps, invasive surgery.
Caroline Colby is a publisher of information on Massage Therapy. She
highly promotes Massage Therapy as a safe, holistic and effective
alternative health therapy. For free articles, tips and news updates,
please visit her site at www.massage-therapy-central.com.
