Six reasons why Reflexology beats a Massage?

 

As a busy Facial Reflexologist, I make sure that self-care is an important part of my life. This includes regular facial reflexology treatments and also remedial massage. Both are beneficial and both work in different ways, but is one really better than the other?

Obviously I am biased towards reflexology, but let me point out the benefits of both so that you can make up your own mind.

Here are six ways in which I believe, Reflexology, particularly Facial Reflexology, is of more benefit.

 

1. Relaxation. Massage relaxes the body and mind by reducing muscle tension, calming the nervous system and improving the quality of your sleep. It loosens tight and cramped muscles, improves muscle tone and lowers the heart rate and blood pressure. Reflexology also calms the nervous system but works in a different way. While massage stimulates the nerve receptors in the tissues so that they relax the body and endorphins are released, facial reflexology works directly on the brain and central nervous system. It stimulates points and zones on the face that directly relate to different areas of the brain. This results in a deeper relaxation, also releases endorphins (feel good hormones) and treats any underlying conditions. It directly works on the Pineal gland to help balance melatonin levels and the quality of your sleep.

2. Strengthens the Immune System. Massage improves circulation by helping the blood flow through congested areas of the body. This allows blood flow to increase and also helps remove lactic acid from the muscles and stimulates the flow of lymph. Reflexology also improves circulation and lymphatic drainage by the application of pressure to different zones of the feet or through the meridians on the face. However Reflexology works on the reflex points and acupressure points for a particular organ, thereby directly influencing the blood supply to that organ. It also helps stimulate lymphatic flow and improves the function of organs such as the spleen and the thymus gland to boost the immune system.

3. Balances the Hormones. Massage is a wonderful therapy to reduce stress and the hormones involved in the stress response, such as cortisol and adrenaline. It increases the release of endorphins such as dopamine and serotonin so that anxiety and depression are decreased. Reflexology also balances the stress hormones and the release of endorphins but influences all the other hormones in the body, too. It helps to balance the whole hormonal system and works on specific organs to affect the release of hormones for a particular condition. It helps to balance the ovaries to assist with painful or irregular periods or the symptoms of menopause, works with the thyroid gland when there is an over or underproduction of thyroxine, boosts the hormones of the thymus gland to increase immunity and helps regulate insulin levels in the pancreas.

4. Pain relief. Massage reduces muscle tension and congestion, improves blood supply throughout the body and reduces inflammation. It helps increase joint mobility and speeds up recovery from injury and is of great benefit when there is tension, sore or tight muscles or pain in the body. Reflexology can also be of huge benefit whenever there is any pain in the body. It improves circulation so that faster healing and regrowth of damaged cells can occur, it reduces inflammation by boosting the immune system and works directly on reflex points of an injured organ. Facial reflexology stimulates nerve points that directly affect the brain so that relief occurs quickly. It also stimulate ‘pain points’, that are acupressure points on the face that rapidly relieve pain and tension in the body. Reflexology has been shown to be of great benefit for pain during chemotherapy, labour and post surgery.

5. Improving Digestion. Though Massage is not often the first thing you think of when you have digestive problems, it can be of great benefit. Massage helps to relieve stress, tension and anxiety so can help with an irritated digestive system. Abdominal massage can assist with bloating, cramps and constipation, eliminate toxins and thus relieve any discomfort. Reflexology works on the whole digestive system to detect imbalances. It relieves any stress or anxiety that may be contributing to a digestive issue but it also works on each organ to correct imbalances. It helps to filter the liver, spleen and kidneys to eliminate toxins, reduces gut inflammation and helps relieve constipation. Facial reflexology also employs Ayurvedic techniques to cleanse the gut and balance any underlying emotional issues.

6. Chronic and Acute Health Conditions. Massage reduces stress and fatigue, improves circulation and can reduce pain and anxiety. It has been shown to help in stress-related disorders, insomnia, cancer-related fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, headaches and migraines and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Reflexology also helps in the treatment of many health conditions such as stress, fatigue, auto-immune conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, stroke, diabetes, chronic pain, menopause, infertility, asthma and cancer, to name a few. It also reduces pain, relieves anxiety and improves circulation but it goes a lot deeper. Facial reflexology looks at where the original health condition started, not just the symptoms. It starts to then treat the area of the body that is most out of balance so that the body can begin its own innate healing.

These are just a few benefits of both Massage and Reflexology. Both are beneficial and both achieve fantastic results. Try them and have a think about how you really feel on a deep and lasting level. I love both modalities but I know that Reflexology helps me to heal in a more substantial and lasting way and helps to address any underlying health issues more profoundly.

With love,

Judy

 

References: www.reflexolgiafacial.es, www.facialreflexology.info, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/massage, www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu, www.ucshealth.org/treatments/massage.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.