HEALTH by Maggie Zeibak
of Reflexology R
The Sole
eflexology. I’ve got an Ap for that, but Ap is a masseuse in Bangkok, Thailand and not very handy to administer her
expertise in San Clemente. When we need to balance the energy flow in our bodies, a restora- tive alternative therapy needs to be close at hand to awaken the healing potential. Those of us who consider Reflexology for
health benefits, know that this is not a substi- tute for a medical diagnosis, treatment or care, and a reflexologist is not a medical professional. It’s also not a tool to go surfing on the internet self-diagnosing your imagined problem. It sim- ply complements other treatments.
What is it and what does a
reflexologist do? The sole of the foot has been mapped to
identify corresponding organs, so by applying pressure to specific points the trained reflexol- ogist can identify areas that need stimulating and cause a response from the body. They don’t claim to fix a problem in the body; just help it to work better. This ancient, non-invasive prac-
tice has been in use since the early Egyptians recorded information in tombs circa 2330 BC; symbols were also recorded on the feet of stat- ues of Buddha in China and India. It wasn’t until William Fitzgerald MD,
subsequently known as the father of reflexol- ogy, introduced zone therapy to the US around 1917, that the practice was used here. He felt that pressure may send signals to balance the nervous system or release chemicals such as en- dorphins, to reduce pain and stress and provide a beneficial effect on the organs of the body. Later, in the 1930s the theory was further de- veloped and reintroduced, yet the people of Thailand have known for years the benefit of massage and Reflexology. Similar to Acupressure, the condition of
each organ or gland is reflected in the foot area so when a particular area is tender or sore when pressed, this may reflect an imbalance some- where in the body. Sometimes this can make you wince or yelp a little, but the discomfort decreases especially with regular treatments. A Reflexologist, each with their own style, uses
micro-movements such as thumb or finger-walking to cre- ate a response, whereas in com- parison, a massage is the systematic manipulation of soft tissue to relax muscles. Don’t worry about being ticklish, the pressure is firm and won’t give you the giggles. More people are discover-
ing alternative methods of en- hancing their well-being. What a fascinating machine our body is! Anything that affects our quality of life sends out a signal – a pain; an ache or the inability to stretch. Something smacks us upside of the head and says it needs to be reprogrammed or reset, pronto. By stimulating nerve endings, circulation in- creases so that oxygen and nu- trients can be distributed throughout the body strong- arming their way through tox- ins, flushing them away. Just think of Reflexology as a re-en- ergizer.
Reflexology is a non-invasive practice that has been in use since the early Egyptians recorded information in tombs circa 2330 BC.
Thai Body Works on Camino Real offers
treatment in their salon starting with a foot scrub outside in their wood-floor cabana, sur- rounded by herb gardens, lotus ponds and blooming orchids. The comfortable reclining chairs are used when the weather is warm cre-
ating a relaxing atmosphere while your feet are soaking in lime slices or herb-infused water. During the cleansing process an exfoliating paste is rubbed in leaving the legs and feet nice and smooth. The tasteful treatment room is darkened with soft music piped in, and before
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SAN CLEMENTE JOURNAL
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