Acupressure & Reflexology Massage

Acupressure & Reflexology Emphasis ................  $50/1hr    $70/90 min   $90/2hr

Used for thousands of years in China, acupressure applies the same principles as acupuncture to aid relaxation and wellness and to treat disease. Sometimes called pressure acupuncture, acupressure is often thought of as simply acupuncture without the needles.

What is the Theory Behind Acupressure?

Acupressure is just one of a number of Asian bodywork therapies (ABT) with roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Examples of other Asian bodywork therapies are medical qigong and Tuina. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of acupressure.

Traditional Chinese medical theory describes special acupoints, or acupressure points, that lie along meridians, or channels, in your body. These are the same energy meridians and acupoints as those targeted with acupuncture. Through these invisible channels flows vital energy or a life force called qi (ch'i). It is also believed that these 12 major meridians connect specific organs or networks of organs, organizing a system of communication throughout your body. The meridians begin at your fingertips, connect to your brain, and then connect to an organ associated with a certain meridian.

According to theory, when one of these meridians is blocked or out of balance, illness can occur. Acupressure and acupuncture are among the types of TCM that are used to help restore balance. Herbal and nutritional therapy, meditation, and therapeutic massage may also help.

How does Acupressure Work?

Acupressure practitioners use their fingers, palms, elbows or feet, or special devices to apply pressure to acupoints on the body's meridians. Sometimes, acupressure also involves stretching or acupressure massage as well as other methods.

During an acupressure session, the practitioner gently presses on acupressure points on your body. A session typically lasts about one hour. You may need several sessions for the best results.

The goal of acupressure or other types of Asian bodywork is to restore health and balance to the body's channels of energy and to regulate opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy). Some proponents claim acupressure not only treats the energy fields and body but also the mind, emotions, and spirit. Some even believe that therapists can transmit the vital energy (external qi) to another person.

Not all Western practitioners believe that this is possible or even that these meridians exist. Instead, they attribute any results to other factors, such as reduced muscle tension, improved circulation, or stimulation of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.

 

Reflexology

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a non-invasive, complementary modality applying specific touch techniques on Reflex Maps. The term reflexology is used to mean reflection rather than reflex. The idea is that in reflexology, the reflex zones found on the soles of feet, palms of the hands and ear will act as small mirrors, reflecting the whole body structure. It is different from acupuncture, where tiny needles (instead of hands of the reflexologists) are used to stimulate the reflex zones over the whole body. It is a hand-on treatment intended for vitality and well-being.

 

How Does Reflexology Work?

In reflexology, it is believed that there is a vital energy that is circulating between organs of the human body, which penetrates into every living cell. Whenever this energy is blocked, the zone of blockage will be affected. The reflex zones can reflect the blockage of energy in different organs. Therefore, if someone has a problem in a particular organ, when pressure is placed on the corresponding reflex zones or points, the person will experience pain. The pain is believed to originate from the deposition of crystals in the reflex zone. With proper massaging techniques, these crystalline structures could be broken down and the pain would be gone. Simultaneously, the pressure applied to the reflex zones is thought to pass through the nerves to dissipate energy blocks. It is therefore believed that reflexology can help heal organ sickness. Through day to day living the body takes on toxins through air pollution, food additives, bacteria, etc., and stress. The body eliminates toxins through the four different routes which are the Colon, Kidneys, Lungs, and Skin. When the body has toxins in excess of what the body can eliminate, it stores the toxins in its weakest organ, i.e., upper respiratory system, a shoulder, etc. Reflexology enhances the healing process and assists the body to return to optimum health by increasing the circulation, relaxing the muscles and normalizing the glands. By so doing, the body dumps the toxins from the stored areas into the bloodstream once again, so the body has an opportunity to rid itself of the toxins through the four routes of elimination. Reflexology affects the body in various ways. Crystals build up at the nerve endings in your feet and hands and by a deep pressure on specific points and/or areas, the crystals are crushed, releasing any blockage. Also energy currents run along meridians to every organ, gland, and nerve. When these meridians are clogged, currents are reduced and malfunctioning glands and organs create illness in the body. Again by deep pressure to the reflexes, pain can be stopped and a healing energy sent to all body parts.

Benefits of Reflexology

One of the benefits of reflexology is that it helps to release endorphins - chemical messengers - which have the same effect as morphine in suppressing pain by blocking the transmission of pain impulses from one neuron to another. The overall effect is a sense of calm, euphoria, optimism, and even joy. Also because very cell has a memory bank of pain, pleasure, etc., based upon past and present experiences at the mental, emotional, and physical levels, these experiences may come up during a reflexology session and much releasing is possible.