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)

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

Reflexology, or zone therapy, is the practice of stimulating points on the feet, hands, or ears (termed reflex zones), in the hopes that it will have a beneficial effect on some other parts of the body, or will improve general health. The most common form is foot reflexology, in which the reflexologist applies pressure to points on a person's foot. The foot is believed by practitioners and participants to be divided into a number of re ...

Including:

• Reflexology - History
• Reflexology - Practice
• Reflexology - Reflexology treatment
• Reflexology - Alleged long-term effects
• Reflexology - Reduced stress and induced relaxation
• Reflexology - Feeling of increased energy
• Reflexology - Alleged benefits
• Reflexology - Current status
• Reflexology - Other applications
• Reflexology - Reflexology used on children
• Reflexology - Skeptics' views

Read more here: » Reflexology: Encyclopedia - Reflexology

Reflexologists apply pressure on "reflex zones" found on the feet, hands and the ears, which are said to correspond to the different parts of the body. Application is done through thumb, finger and hand technique. Reflex areas, like hand and foot, composed of 7200 nerve endings are stimulated by pressure applied. An improved instruction to every gland, single part and organ of the body could be achieved by such a health science. The body is then believed to pursue a biologically cor ...

See also:

Reflexology, Reflexology - History, Reflexology - Practice, Reflexology - Reflexology treatment, Reflexology - Alleged long-term effects, Reflexology - Reduced stress and induced relaxation, Reflexology - Feeling of increased energy, Reflexology - Alleged benefits, Reflexology - Current status, Reflexology - Other applications, Reflexology - Reflexology used on children, Reflexology - Skeptics' views

Read more here: » Reflexology: Encyclopedia II - Reflexology - Practice

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)

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

Acupuncture and acupressure are two non-drug therapies which are making their presence felt in the complementary medicine scene. And acupressure and reflexology are getting the crowds because of ease of practice. But how do these gentle systems work?

Read more here: » Acupuncture and Acupressure: How do Acupuncture and Acupressure work?

somatic therapy (somatic disciplines, somatic methods, somatics, somatic techniques, somatic therapies): Field that encompasses aikido, the Alexander Technique, applied kinesiology, Arica, Aston-Patterning, Awareness Through Movement, bioenergetics, Body-Mind Centering, Capoeria, Continuum, CranioSacral Therapy, Eutony, Focusing, Functional Integration, Hakomi, Hellerwork, judo, karate, kundalini yoga, kung fu, Lomi (see lomi-lomi and Lomi work), Oki yoga (see Oki-Do), Process-Oriented Psychotherapy (process psychology), rebirthing, reflexology, Resonant Kinesiology, Rolfing, Rosen work (see Rosen Method), sensory awareness, SHEN, somasynthesis, tai chi, Touch for Health, Trager, Trans Fiber, yoga therapy, and Zero Balancing.

Subtle-energy elements are a commonality of somatic therapies. Thomas Hanna, founder of the journal Somatics, coined the word somatics.

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

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

hand-mediated energetic healing (HMEH, HMEH approaches, HMEH traditions, hand-mediated healing modalities): Group of healing methods characterized by the principle that the practitioner's hands are agents of the transfer or interchange of energy.

Hand-mediated energetic healing encompasses acupressure, external qigong (Qigong therapy), Healing Touch, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Polarity (Polarity Therapy), reflexology, Reiki, shiatsu massage, Therapeutic Touch, and Touch for Health.

(See also: Hand-mediated energetic healing , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

reflexology

A healing system based on the manipulation of reflex points on the feet or toes

(See also: Reflexology , Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

REFLEXOLOGY: based on the idea that specific points on the feet and hands correspond with organs and tissues throughout the body. With fingers and thumbs, the practitioner applies pressure to these points to treat a wide range of stress-related illnesses and ailments.

Reflexology is therapeutic and is generally complementary to massage.  Reflexology is the application of specific pressure to reflex points in the feet and hands.  The primary benefits of reflexology result from the generalized relaxation of the entire body, as well as from the balancing effect on specific organs, glands, zones, or body regions.  This is believed to help in the detoxification of the body as well as assisting in its return to a calm state.

Theory of reflexology

When the organs are not functioning normally, the neural signals along the network change patterns.  Such changes can be detected and monitored through the reflex points.  Chemistry at these points sometimes change as well, in the form of hard painful spots (called uric acid crystals).  These crystals may form at points that correspond to the organ, or area of the body.

Occasionally, when rubbing or pressing firmly on these spots, the feeling of a "pop" or bursting apart, can be detected.  They feel grainy or gritty like sand or sugar.  After the spot dissipates, the area becomes less tender and the organ corresponding to this reflex points also functions better.

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

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

body reflexology: System of reflexology or acupressure that encompasses pressing, pulling, massaging, and clamping reflex points on the face, tongue, ears, scalp, nape, hands, crotch, buttocks, shins, and feet. These so-called reflex points, also termed reflexes and reflex buttons, include about a hundred pinnal acupoints. Body Reflexology: Healing at Your Fingertips (1994) defines reflex points as energy junctions that relay and reinforce energy along meridian lines of the body, passing energy toward the organs and the nervous system. The book states that the palm of the right hand is positive and stimulates energy, and that the palm of the left hand is negative, sedative, and cleaning.

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

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

REFLEXOLOGY: A healing art generally used to promote relaxation and to improve health, reflexology is a technique of applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears.

The method is most commonly used on the feet, largely because they have so many nerve endings and so are quite sensitive. Reflexologists believe that the foot functions as a microcosm of the entire body, and that reference points or reflex areas in the foot correspond to all the major organs, glands, and parts of the body.

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

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

This article give perspectives on questions like: - Who does the healing? - Is it God who does the healing?, - And what about the individual’s own healing ability, what role does that play?

Read more here: » Healing and how it works: Article One, Elements of Healing

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)

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

Let us learn to manage our emotions. All negative thoughts are caused by a disruption in the body's energy system. By learning a simple routine of tapping certain parts of our face and hands, the end points of energy meridians, these disruptions can be fixed - often within minutes.

With awareness, we can lift ourselves out of irritation, restlessness, anxiety, fear and more. We can equally let go of long-term hurts and bitterness. We can manage stress, which needlessly saps our energy. We can also heal physical aches and pains with the same tool.

Read more here: » Emotion Management: Mind Your Emotions, Heal Your Body

Yawning

• If you yawn in your dreams, you will search in vain for health and contentment.
• To see others yawning, foretells that you will see some of your friends in a miserable state. Sickness will prevent them from their usual labors.

Source: 10 000 Dream Interpretations, by Gustavus Hindman Miller

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Yawning , Meaning of Dreams about Yawning , Dream Interpretation Yawning )

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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)

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

Can we choose to be joyful, free of fear and worry? Can we remain unaffected by circumstances? And what about letting go of deeply inflicted hurt and pain? Would that not mean cheaply letting off the hook someone who deserves to be punished? Can we choose our emotional states?

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), a radical and quick-acting proclaims that Òall negative emotions are caused by a disruption in the bodyÕs energy systemÓ. If this disruption is removed, the physical or emotional pain magically disappears.

Read more here: » Emotional Freedom Techniques: Heal Yourself With Emotional Freedom

-logy - A. Acarology, the study of ticks and mites Acridilogy, the study of Grasshoppers and Locusts Actinobiology, the study of the effects of radiation upon living organisms Actinology, the study of the effect of light on chemicals Aerobiology, a branch of biology that studies organic particles, such as bacteria, fungal spores, very small insects and pollen, which are passively transported by the air. Aerology, the study of the free atmosphereSee also:

-logy, -logy - Etymology, -logy - Other words ending in ology, -logy - Usage, -logy - List of -ologies, -logy - A, -logy - B, -logy - C, -logy - D, -logy - E, -logy - F, -logy - G, -logy - H, -logy - I, -logy - J, -logy - K, -logy - L, -logy - M, -logy - N, -logy - O, -logy - P, -logy - R, -logy - S, -logy - T, -logy - U, -logy - V, -logy - X, -logy - Z, -logy - Ologies that are not fields of study

Read more here: » -logy: Encyclopedia II - -logy - List of -ologies

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)

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary

Ayurvedic Reflexology-Acupressure: Service offered by the Dr. Guervaz Ayurveda Center, in New York City. Its design is to open channels and meridians.

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

For more dictionary entries, see » Reflexology Dictionary