Can you apply pressure with your thumb to a point on your foot and tell if that spot hurts? Then you can heal yourself and relieve your pain with this ancient foot massage technique in a matter of minutes. Reflexology is one of the few massage techniques you can do by yourself, without expensive spa treatments and massage fees.
On this topic
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Reflexology techniques
- Wooden reflexology tool
Step 1
Reflexology is a simple foot and hand massage technique that can be traced back to ancient Egypt. It is based on the premise that all the organs, tissues, glands and nerve endings terminate and are reflected on our hands and feet. By applying pressure to these points, the nerves are stimulated to release energy blocks and enhance the flow of healing energy to the corresponding organs of the body.
Step 2
Relax the feet: Press your thumbs or knead your fist into the center of your foot (solar plexus area in image). Gently rub this area for a few minutes. Rotate the entire foot at the ankle. This relieves tension in the Achilles tendon and relaxes the entire foot.
Step 3
Massage Thumb Technique
Thumb technique: Simply press and hold the points with your thumb. Apply gentle pressure at first. If you thumbs are weak you can use the end of a pen or a special wooden reflexology tool. Advanced techniques are: small semi-circular movements, walking with your thumb like taking steps, or simply rubbing up and down.
Step 4
How to know when you have found the correct point: Usually the correct spot will feel tender and most of the time you will feel a slight pin prick sensation. Advanced practitioners can actually feel sediment or crystal deposits on an affected spot that block nerve transmission. The area will also redden or bulge and whiten a bit after the pressure is applied and sometimes feel numb. The correct amount of pressure is to the point of feeling the pain but not to an unbearable degree and not so much to damage the skin if using a wooden tool.
Step 5
Massage Timing (1-2 min.) (sxc.hu satty4u)
Timing: Only apply pressure to each point of the affected area for a minute or two and no longer. Though this technique appears simple it does effect profound changes and it is wise to release these energy blocks over a span of a few days or weeks.
Step 6
Sciatica is caused by either a misalignment of the spine or by muscle tension in the buttocks. This muscle (piriform muscle) compresses the sciatic nerve which is the most common cause of the pain and numbness. There are two reflex points: One on the bottom of the foot (see image) and another on the outside of the foot near the ankle (see image).
Step 7
Follow-up: Drink a glass of water to facilitate the healing process and rid the body of accumulated toxins released by the massage. The electrolytes in water help the transmission of nerve impulses throughout the body’s electrical system.
Tips
- You can also diagnose potential weak areas by gently massaging the entire foot and pressing those points to uncover blocked areas with no present bodily symptoms.
- Refrain from massaging areas with open wounds, with obvious circulation problems (varicose veins) or edema. If you have any health issues and doubt of whether you can massage your feet or not, ask your physician.
See other Bukisa article:
How to Foot Massage for Headache
Photos: Tima & www.sxc.hu.& Wikimedia Commons
Original article and pictures take http://www.bukisa.com/articles/92752_how-to-foot-massage-for-sciatica#ixzz2N9qJQUk3&i site
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий