*Lorraine Hughes.
Lorraine Hughes from Glenina Reflexology, offers the benefits of Reflexology for Healthy Digestion in this weeks article.
Reflexology is a holistic treatment that has been around for almost 5,000 years and involves applying pressure to a number of acupressure points in the foot that reflect or correspond to every part of the body through meridians or zones of energy. It works by balancing the whole body mentally and physically. It reduces stress and fatigue, promotes relaxation and ultimately boosts the immune system.
One of the most important benefits of reflexology is its efficacy in reducing stress as it induces deep relaxation and this allows the nervous system to function normally and free the body to find its own homeostasis (balance). A relaxed body can heal itself and reflexology guarantees this and balances the biological systems. My favourite system in the body is the digestive system. It starts at the mouth and goes through the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and ends at the rectum and anus. It also includes the liver, pancreas and gall bladder as support organs.
This fascinating system takes the food we eat and breaks it up into smaller parts that can be absorbed by the body for energy, growth and cell repair. The complicated process of digestion is aided and enhanced by the basic tenets of good food and regular exercise. However, there are short-term and long-term conditions and diseases that affect the digestive system. I have clients who are dealing with a range of conditions including constipation, diarrhoea, IBS, cancer, crohn’s disease and are hoping to use reflexology to relax their body and help it find its way back to balance so that some of the symptoms may be eased and they can cope better.
The digestive system is represented on both feet and in terms of the large intestine it begins on the right foot with the ascending and transverse colon and then finishes on the left foot with the transverse and descending colon leading to the rectum and anus. The ileocecal valve is a really interesting point on the right foot and applying pressure to this reflex point may help to encourage a healthy flow within the digestive tract. It’s a sphincter muscle valve that separates the small intestine from the large intestine and its main function is to control the flow of contents from the small intestine into the colon.
Overall reflexology focused on the digestive system can help clear any blockages, aid the liver to detoxify and improve blood circulation to the digestive tract which will in turn boost energy levels and the immune system.
To book a reflexology treatment contact Lorraine at 087 6595417 or check out www.glenina-reflexology.ie for more details.
