26 Out in the Mountains A ril 2000

moms; 802/5249595

 

FAX: 802/524-2867
NORTHEAST DIVISION
Carol Thayer, MD
Kerri Ashling, MD
9- , PO Box 1160, RD2 - Fairfax, vr 05454

Alternative 101:

REFLEXDLDGY

BY HEATHER PEAKE

t sounds kind of kinky —

sitting around playing

with your feet — but that
is what the massage therapy
known as reflexology amounts
to. In fact, reflexologists say
that happy feet may be the key
to lifelong health.

In the zone

Here’s the theory: the body
is divided into 10 zones run-
ning the length of the body,
five zones on each half of the
body, exiting through the fin-
gers and toes. Certain points
on the hands and feet are sup-
posed to correspond to organs,
muscles and nerves within

each zone. The therapeutic‘

effect comes with pressure is
put on these points.

Even practitioners aren’t
sure exactly how it works.
Some think it follows the same
principle as acupressure,
breaking up blockages in the
vital “life force” the body
needs to keep in balance.

Others think it may have a‘[

detoxifying effect, breaking up
crystals of uric acid that settle
in the. feet. Still_ others think it
may simply :release ‘endor-
phins, * the body’s natural
painkiller. . ‘ V _‘
While, forms of reflexology
have been .practi_ced for_ many
centuries, the modern science
' "got its start in the-'early"1-900s.
Dr. William Fitzgerald devel-
oped the ,concepts. of  10
“zones.” ' I A 2:7
_ In the l,930s_',_”nurse Euriice
Ingharn refined. Fitzg',erald’s
theories into- a system of
“reflex points.” At first, she

used it only to relieve pain, but
later found that it had even
more therapeutic uses. Ingram
was the first to “map” the feet,
and she published the first
reflexology book in 1938.
Today, it is one of the more
popular forms of alternative
medicine, with more than
25,000 practitioners world-
wide, it’s and used by reflexol-
ogists, podiatrists, massage
therapists and chiropractors in
their treatment programs.
Proponents believe this
therapy can alleviate a wide
variety of stress-related illness-
es, including headaches, irrita-
ble bowel syndrome, asthma
and PMS, as well as chronic
conditions such as arthritis and
sciatica. It is also sometimes
used to relieve the symptoms
of neurological conditions
such as multiple sclerosis.

Love thee, love thy

appendages g
Some treatments you can do

yourself. For example, _f1rmly_

',mas_sa'gi'ng‘ the web/_' of ’ sl§'i'r1“"'
‘betwlceenl the :'thurnb and index-'
'i.t-‘i-iigierfoit “ '

time can help relieve a tension
headache. _ , A M _ V 
Tor ’a11erg'ies' ‘oi §m_us,‘,_prfob-
lems, ge_t.yourself a..,golf ball.
Hold it between your‘ hands,
locking ' your fingers "together.
Roll the ball back andgforth,
concentrating on the; area just
below the thumbs. You can do
this for-I15 ‘to’ 30 sec”onds,—"fol-
lowed by 15 to 30 seconds rest,

 

up to 5 minuteslat aftime, 3 to

4 times a day.

You might also‘ want to
check out the wide variety of
foot massagers and therapeutic

“ii

 

(802) 586-7793

Maryanne Southam
Doctor of Oriental Medecine
Licensed Acupuncturist (NM #496)
Chinese Herbalist
Licensed Massage Therapist (NM #384)

P.O. Box 52
Craftsbury, VT 05826

 

 

   
 

Op-:51‘; M«;>n- So? i 0- (5

  
 
  

Vitamin Connection

, Offers the
Best elections

 

.vItamInConnocIlon.onm

...va§cular 

  

or magnetic shoe inserts now
on the market. Most of these
products work to relieve stress,
and can be purchased for under
$30.

Treat your feet

For more serious problems,
you will want the services of a
reflexologist. Sessions last
from 30 minutes to an hour,
once a week initially, then less
frequently as your condition
improves.

Sessions generally begin
with a foot massage. Then the
practitioner will begin putting
pressure on the area corre-
sponding to your particular

problem. No scary needles or I

strange-looking instruments
are involved, but sometimes
pressure may be applied with a
rubber ball.

As with most alternative
health care, there is no stan-
dard certification for practi-
tioners.

Reflexology is considered
safeflfor most people, but if yog
have serious”, foot problems or

€-

  

before beginning‘ treatment. If
you are p’regnari_t, Ltahlkwto both
your obstetrician and reflexol-
ogist;' stimulation of the feet
could caus_e,,_uterine contrac-
tions. ' T‘  

Like all alternative thera-
pies, reflexology is a supple-
ment, not a substitute, for reg-
ular medical care. See’ your
doctor for initial diagnosis; of
medical problems and for any
new symptoms that develop.
V

 

healing touch
hypnosis
meditation
interactive imagery

JACKIE LEVIN, RN, MS
clinical nurse specialist in holisitic
nursing integrates mind-body
modalities into your current plan
of care enhancing health, healing
and well-being.

802-660-8345

home, hospital, office visits

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