Reflexology massage is one of the less well understood forms of therapeutic massage. Yet reflexology is also one of the most effective and beneficial.
Far more than “just a foot massage,” reflexology massage is best understood as a whole-body massage experience that targets the feet and/or the hands and/or ears.
In this post, learn more about all the benefits that a restorative reflexology massage in Winston-Salem has to offer you or a loved one.
Why Massage Your Feet?
It is true that, as far as body parts go, the feet, hands, and ears are not often in the limelight.
However, they are each so essential for our total wellbeing and enjoyment of life!
Let’s take the feet as an example. Did you know that there is a specific pressure point on both of your feet that can impact how your bladder functions?
There is also a point on the right foot that influences your liver functioning. And there is a point on your left foot that directly impacts the function of your gallbladder.
In this way, reflexology massage can actually reach every system and organ inside your body, even though your massage therapist can’t exactly put their hands inside your body to give your bladder, liver or gallbladder a therapeutic massage.
The History of Reflexology
Reflexology is a therapeutic science is actually thousands of years old. The earliest records we have discovered dates reflexology all the way back to 2,330 B.C. during the time of the ancient Egyptians.
Closer to home, in 1917 a doctor named William H. Fitzgerald created a map of ten pressure points that could be used to ease pain during minor surgical procedures. Dr. Fitzgerald is now widely regarded as the “father of modern reflexology.”
Interestingly, records that point to the existence of reflexology in various forms exist in many cultures both ancient and modern around the world, including Italy, India, China, other parts of Europe and the United States.
How Does Reflexology Massage Help?
Recent medical research has now confirmed the existence of what doctors are calling a “second brain” located in, of all places, our gut. The second brain and our primary brain are linked by the vagus nerve, which is the largest nerve in the human body.
The brain is also linked to every major organ and system via various neurological pathways. And in the same way, the skin and everything inside the body that it protects are linked via a peripheral nervous system that is then connected to the central nervous system.
By understanding which points on the skin are linked to which systems, organs, and processes beneath the skin, reflexology massage can start the process of healing underlying health issues using the body’s own neurological pathways and innate wisdom.
This, in turn, points back to the guiding principle of reflexology itself, which states that it is not the reflexologist that heals the client, but rather it is the client’s own body that reacts to the massage and uses it for healing.
What Are the Benefits of Reflexology Massage?
Some of the well-documented benefits of reflexology include an enhanced sense of balance and calm, detoxification of the body, pain reduction, improved sense of personal well-being, improved immune system response, decreased anxiety and elevated mood.
Anyone of these benefits alone may be sufficient to encourage you to give reflexology massage here at Lotus 5 Senses Spa a try, but you can readily expect to experience more than one benefit after your hour-long massage session with one of our highly trained massage therapists.
What Is a Reflexology Massage Like?
It is only natural to want to know what to expect when you arrive for your reflexology massage in Winston-Salem at Lotus 5 Senses Spa.
After you are warmly welcomed by your massage therapist, you will be invited to a private room to get comfortable for 60 full minutes of pampering.
If you have any special health or wellness issues you would like to work on, there will be time at the start of your session to share these in confidence with your massage therapist.
Then you can simply lay back, relax completely and enjoy a 60-minute therapeutic reflexology massage that will leave you feeling energized, refreshed, centered and balanced for the rest of your day.
How to Prepare for Your Reflexology Massage
The pace of life today is hectic and non-stop. It can be hard to even find time to fit a reflexology massage into your schedule, let alone do any kind of advance preparation.
Happily, there is nothing you need to do in advance to prepare for your reflexology massage appointment here at Lotus 5 Senses Spa.
All you need to do is show up on time for your scheduled appointment and leave the rest to us.
What to Expect After Your Reflexology Massage
As many clients do, you may notice that any health issues or pain symptoms you came in with begin dissipating following your reflexology massage.
One of the best things you can do to extend the many benefits you receive from your reflexology massage at Lotus 5 Senses Spa is to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and plan to get a good night’s sleep.
This will aid your body in continuing to detox and repair itself with the help of the reflexology work. Reflexology itself tends to be quite relaxing and aids in improving the quality and quantity of sleep, so be sure to block out time to rest and relax.
Plan Your Visit to Lotus 5 Senses Spa
At Lotus 5 Senses Spa, we offer everything you need for total rejuvenation, health, and wellness in body, mind, and spirit.
Our massage services include whole-body and targeted treatments, from reflexology for the feet to sports massage for athletes and pregnancy massage for moms-to-be and new mothers.
Contact us to learn more and schedule your restorative reflexology massage in Winston-Salem.