Massage and Reflexology for a Healthy Body

Having a healthy body does not always include proper food we eat and exercise. Food and exercise are the fundamentals and basics for a healthy body but more often than not are no adequate. Vitamins and minerals needed by the body that could not be taken from regular meals are supplemented with herbal medicines or even synthetic vitamins at that. Exercise can also only do so much for the body’s improvement. Massage and Reflexology can complement what food and exercise may not be able to provide the body.  Let us take a look at some instances and scenarios where Massage and/or Reflexology could be beneficial for a healthy body as afforded by the Health and Lifestyle courses.

Circulation improves the bodies healing processes or even much so, helps the immune system. Studies show that air massage alone can improve circulation all together.

Cancer patients or even those who have no diseases but reach middle age can go through a stage where they have a different way of thinking and feeling. Self-massage and self-reflexology helps decrease depression, stress, blood pressure, and pain. It similarly to massage increases and strengthens the immune system.

Foot massage is helpful in a lot of ways. To mention one, it is very helpful during the menopausal stage. Foot massage helps decrease anxiety, net sweats, hot flashes and depression during menopause.  Husbands, take note of that, when your spouse starts to have mood swings, try massaging her feet. It not only would benefit her but it would benefit you as well. Think about how good she feels and how she would perceive receiving a foot massage from you?

In return, for the wives out there (especially after the food massage) it is helpful to note that while men succumb to high blood pressure at this stage. Reflexology helps in lowering the systolic number on blood pressure. What does that mean? That means a decrease in cholesterol and an improvement of life satisfaction.  This is achieved by massaging more on the ball of the foot and around it.

Those are but examples of the benefits of massage and reflexology. What, you may ask is the difference of massage and reflexology?  Massage uses long strokes and movements focused on the muscles and superficial layers of skin and fat included. Circulation is improved as oxygen and nutrients flow through the body.

Massage benefits include: relief of muscle pain and tension and increase in mobility and flexibility as it works on muscle pain and stiff joints. Massage improves back pain; improves arthritis conditions and tendinitis as it helps decrease inflammation; lessens migraines and headaches; muscle sprains, spasms and strains are improved and eliminated; improves respiratory conditions; and helps in post surgical and post-injury rehabilitation.

Reflexology on the other hand as the term implies focuses on the “reflex” areas. These reflex areas are found on the hands and feet and have specific organs of the body that they correspond to.

Reflex areas include: the toes for the head; the foot ball for the chest and the heart; the foot arch for the pancreas, kidney and liver; the heel for the intestines and lower back.  Applying pressure on these areas promote health as energetic pathways are improved.

Reflexology benefits include: improving stress related conditions; relief for tension headaches; improvement of digestion disorders, insomnia, arthritis, injuries due to sports or accidents, hormonal imbalances, menstrual disorders, and back pain; promotes relaxation, reduces pain; encourages healing and improves circulation.

Massage takes about 40 to 90 minutes while Reflexology takes about 45 to 60 minutes. And relief may be felt as after such time frames. This may be done at home to promote family bonding or even just to ensure that you feel relaxed. Should you want the experts to give you a massage or to give you reflexology therapies be sure to follow these recommendations:

• Eat a light meal before having a massage.


• Do not go for massages if you have an open wound, rash or infectious disease.


• Massages should not be done just after surgery.


• Should you want a massage after chemotherapy or even after radiation treatments, it is best to consult your doctor first.


• If you are prone to blood clots, heavy massage is not recommended.


• Or if you are pregnant, it is wise to consult with your physician first.

Massage and Reflexology is not for everybody though it is encouraged for the improvement of one’s health, it is always safer to ask the experts prior to indulging in such.