Body Reflexology Dictionary

Foot Reflexology: An ancient cousin of acupuncture. It involves pressing reflex areas on the feet. Its principle is that these areas correspond to organs and systems of the body. Foot Reflexology really cleanses the mind and body and revitalizes energy. A common theory of reflexology holds that massaging certain areas of the feet restores health by breaking up and dispersing crystals.

(See also: Foot Reflexology , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

REFLEXOLOGY

Reflexology works on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands that correspond to all the body organs and systems. It is a term that refers to the stimulation of the microsystems of the hands, feet or ears to have an effect on all the glands, organs and other parts of the body.

A microsystem is one part of the body that contains a reflection of the whole body. It is believed that there are at least fifteen microsystems in the human body. By applying pressure to the reflexes, one can bring the body back into a homeostasis or balance. Generally no implements are used in reflexology, only the therapist's hands. When an ill child or elderly parent is feeling nauseous, has a fever or other discomforts, a purposeful foot rub or hand rub can work wonders.

(See also: REFLEXOLOGY , Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

REFLEXOLOGY

Based on an ancient Chinese therapy, reflexology involves manipulation of specific reflex areas in the foot, hands, and ears that correspond to other parts of the body.

Sometimes referred to as zone therapy, this bodywork involves application of pressure to these reflex zones to stimulate body organs and relieve areas of congestion.

Similar to acupressure principles, reflexology works with the body’s energy flow to stimulate self-healing and maintain balance in physical function. Developed in the United States in the early 1900s, this technique is used today to reduce pain, increase relaxation, and stimulate circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. It is especially useful in stress-related illness and emotional disorders.

Reflexology is also convenient in cases where an area of the body is traumatized or diseased to the extent that direct manipulation is not appropriate.

(See also: REFLEXOLOGY , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Reflexology

A therapy that heals the body through massaging certain parts of the foot or hand that allegedly correspond to the major organs of the body. Pressure applied to specific nerve endings stimulates glands and organs elsewhere in the body which helps to release toxins, improve circulation and relieve tension. Zone Therapy.

(See also: Reflexology , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Reflexology: An ancient Chinese technique in which specific pressure points (usually on the feet, but also on the hands and ears) are massaged in order to re-establish the flow of energy throughout the body. Relieves stress and releases energy and pressure throughout the body.

(See also: Reflexology , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Foot Reflexology: A cousin of acupuncture. It involves pressing reflex areas on the feet. These areas correspond to organs and systems of the body. Foot Reflexology cleanses the mind and body and revitalizes energy. A common theory of reflexology holds that massaging certain areas of the feet restores health by breaking up and dispersing "crystals". (Sometimes also called Zone Therapy.)

(See also: Foot Reflexology , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Reflexology

Reflexology teaches that every part of the body has a direct line of communication to a reference point on the foot, hand and ear. By massaging these points, reflexologists are helping the corresponding body part to heal itself by stimulating energy in that area.

(See also: Reflexology , Alternative Health, Healing, Body Mind and Soul)

AROMATHERAPY: uses essential oils from flowers, trees, roots, herbs, berries and fruits, to treat emotional disorders such as stress and anxiety as well as a wide range of other ailments and to promote physical, mental and emotional wellness. Oils are either massaged into the skin in diluted form, inhaled, placed in baths, or applied on and around the body.

Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, herbology, chiropractic and other wholistic healing.

What is aromatherapy?

It is the controlled use of natural essential oils in the process of physical and emotional healing. You may have discovered that in some ways, you've been experiencing aromatherapy most of your life without even knowing it.

We have all experienced memory recall triggered by a particular scent; perhaps the scent of a favorite flower, or the perfume your grandmother used to wear, or an aunt's linen closet. The event can produce positive or negative memories. Certain scents may trigger negative thoughts of a person or place in your past. Whatever the case, the importance of scent in our lives is quite profound and in some ways, unique to each of us. Aromatherapy is a way to enjoy a controlled use of natural oils to enrich and benefit your life.

What are essential oils?

Whole, pure essential oils come from nature; they are the "essence" of plants. They are droplets of water-like fluid contained in the leaves, stems, bark, flowers, roots and/or fruits of different plants, and give the plant its unique scent. Essential oils are volatile, whereas they easily transfer from a liquid to a gaseous state at room temperature or higher. The amount of essential oil found in most plants is 1 to 2%, but can contain amounts from 0.01 to 10%. They can change in composition and location with a particular plant. For example, orange trees produce neroli oil in their blossoms, orange oil in their citrus, and petitgrain oil in their leaves. Essential oils are also very concentrated and extremely potent, and sometimes 75 to 100 times more concentrated than say, the herb it is present in. This is all the more reason to use these oils with thorough knowledge of their potency.

How are essential oils extracted?

There are two common procedures for extracting true essential oils:

1. Steam distillation
2. Expression

 The process of steam distillation has 5 steps:

1. Steam plant material
2. Collect steam carrying aromatic molecules
3. Cool in cold-water bath
4. Produce floral water and essential oil
5. Separate essential oil, then bottle

This process is also the most popular for obtaining the essential oils from plants. The steam is forced into a vat containing the plant material, which ruptures the oil glands and releases the oil. The volatile oils are cooled, separated from the water content, and bottled. It may take hundreds or thousands of pounds of plant material to distill a single pound of the essential oil. Bulgarian Rose oil requires about 4,000 pounds of hand-picked flower petals to make 1 pound of oil, obviously making this one expensive oil!

The second method, extraction, has 4 major steps:

1. Have citrus peels
2. Machine press
3. Obtain essential oils and fruit waxes
4. Separate oils, then bottle

This method is primarily used in the perfume and food industries, and does not produce a 100% pure essential oil. Solvents are used in the process to pull out the soluable molecules; therefore making them incomplete oils. Resins, concretes, absolutes, and pomades result from this method.

How are essential oils taken in?

Essential oils are absorbed into the body two ways; through the skin and through nasal inhalation. Our sense of smell, controlled by the olfactory system, is some 10,000 times greater than any other sense. The olfactory system is directly linked to the limbic system, which is responsible for our emotional state, memory, and certain regulatory function.

Essential oils also penetrate the skin, or the integumentary system. Because essential oils have a low molecular weight and are organic in nature, they are absorbed through the pores and hair follicles of the skin, and unlike synthetic chemicals, they do not accumulate in the body. Absorption can take place anywhere from 15 minutes to 12 hours, and take from 3 to 6 hours to be metabolized in a healthy body. Excessive fat or toughened skin may slow down the rate of absorption; whereas heat, water, exercise, or broken skin may speed it up.

How are essential oils used?

Aromatherapy is used to self-heal and soothe common, everyday health challenges. It is by no means a replacement for the opinion of a licensed physician, and should always be used with respect.

As with all things derived from nature, some essential oils are considered hazardous, and under certain circumstances, should be avoided. Some are phototoxic, neurotoxic, or carcinogenic, and safety precautions should always be considered when working with and administering any essential oil.

Here are common-sense safety points to note:

1. Avoid essential oils deemed as hazardous
2. Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.
3. Remember essentail oils are very potent.
4. Do not take orally.
5. Follow dilution guidelines carefully. Never use an oil without first diluting.
6. Use 1% or less dilution during pregnancy.
7. Be aware of others with sensitivities or allergies.
8. Do not use on or near the eyes.
9. Do a skin patch test if prone to sensitivities.
10. Use extra care on broken or damaged skin.
11. Avoid phototoxic essential oils if history of skin cancer.
12. Keep them away from light and heat sources.
13. Use only therapeutic genuine and authentic essential oils.

(See also: Aromatherapy , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Reflexology: Based on the idea that specific points on the feet and hands correspond with organs and tissues throughout the entire body. The practitioner uses fingers and thumbs to apply pressure to reflex zones to help the self-healing process. Some of the benefits are the relief of pain in the neck, shoulder and lower back, to relief of allergic reactions, headaches, upset stomach and colon discomfort.

(See also: Reflexology , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

reflexology:

(a)           Variation of acupressure whose principle is that all bodily organs have corresponding external reflex points (on the scalp, ears, face, nose, tongue, neck, back, arms, wrists, hands, abdomen, legs, and feet), and that manipulating these points can enhance the flow of energy.

(b)           Foot Reflexology.

(c)            Zone therapy.

(d)           Macroreflexology and microreflexology.

(e)            A type of shiatsu that focuses on the hands and feet.

(See also: Reflexology , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Reflexology (Reflexotherapy) - Treatment by irritation of an area of the body distant from a lesion. It usually consists of using the hands to apply gentle pressure to the feet in order to ease pain, relieve tension, and restore energy. The term can also be applied to applying pressure to specific points on the hands and ears.

(See also: Reflexology (Reflexotherapy) , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Reflexology

The principle is that all the organs in the body are reflected on the foot or hand.

 By pressing the relevant point, healing can be transferred to the particular area in need.

 Original practitioners thought that crystal of lactic acid which caused sensitivity must be crushed to enable healing to take place. The pain was often considerable and this process has been superseded with more gentle methods.

(See also: Reflexology , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Reflexology: Like acupressure, reflexology utilizes pressure on certain points to stimulate the organs and glands. Foot reflexology links specific points on the foot to these organs and glands.

(See also: Reflexology , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

chakra healing (chakra balancing, chakra energy balancing, chakra therapy, chakra work): Subject of The ABCs of Chakra Therapy: A Workbook (Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1998). chakra healing is any means of energy clearing that focuses on or has been geared to chakras, including aromatherapy, hatha yoga, reflexology, and visualization (see creative visualization).

(See also: Chakra healing , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

auricular reflexology: Mode of reflexology whose focus is the ear. Dr. P.F.M. Nogier of France discovered the method in 1967.

(See also: Auricular reflexology , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Hand reflexology: Form of reflexology whose focus is the hand. It is one of the two basic modes of zone therapy.

(See also: Hand reflexology , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Reflexology Workout: Form of reflexology that is the subject of The Reflexology Workout: Hand and Foot Massage for Super Health and Rejuvenation, by Stephanie Rick. it is the equivalent of an internal massage and enables push-button control of hormone release.

(See also: Reflexology Workout , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

precision reflexology: A form of Foot Reflexology Massage that includes a technique called energy linking.

(See also: Precision reflexology , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Reflexology:

a body work technique in which the practitioner applies pressure with thumbs and fingers to points on the feet, hands and ears said to correspond to specific organs and parts of the body. Similar to acupressure.

(See also: Reflexology , Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)