Reflexology (European Style) – The Reflexology/Acupressure Connection
Auricular Therapy (Reflexology – Ears)
Reflexology (European Style)
The Reflexology – Acupressure Connection
Why call it Reflexology (European Style)?
Anna Christine offers a more comprehensive kind of Reflexology which she calls European Style in her Energy All Around Therapies Wholistic Health Centre in Nanaimo, BC. It is the combination of Reflexology and Acupressure. Both are wholistic healing techniques affecting body, mind and spirit. Reflexology is based on the principle that every part of our body, every gland and every organ is connected to reflex points in the feet, hands and ears. The application of various forms of finger pressure techniques on these “reflex points” relieves stress and tension, improves blood, lymph, and Qi circulation, and enables the body to heal itself.
Acupressure is an old Oriental therapy that was used long before the use of needles (Acupuncture). It involves the application of very gentle deep finger pressure on the acu-points which lie close to the skin surface on energy (Qi) pathways called Meridians.
Six of the twelve Organ Meridians end in the toe-tips, the other Meridians end in the finger-tips. A reflexology session will always have a certain effect on the Meridian system, even when the therapist doesn’t know anything about Meridians.
The Meridian System
According to Oriental Taoist Philosophy vital life force (Qi) flows through the meridians, a body communication system comparable to the nervous system. This Qi energy has to flow evenly to keep the body in balance and health.
When the energy flow is impeded or blocked the harmony turns into dis-harmony and eventually we are in trouble and not at ease anymore.
The key to health is a balanced energy flow. Western scientist are calling it electron flow between the cells or cell-to-cell communication.
The meridians end in the toe and fingertips. We also have 7,000 nerve endings in the feet, 6,000 in the hands and five principal nerves are connected to our ears. This makes it understandable why Reflexology is so effective.
Sometimes during a session the pain in a specific area of the feet makes absolutely no sense regarding the reflex points of Reflexology, but if one tests the meridian which runs through this point then a session becomes quite interesting.
Both Reflexology and Acupressure are believed to have been practiced 4,000 to 5,000 years ago in China. Reflexology was also practiced in Egypt at that time. Since the beginning of the last century more and more interest in Reflexology has begun to surface. Research is being conducted in countries such as Australia, China, Denmark, United States, and Switzerland to determine the effectiveness of Reflexology.
Several years ago a television broadcast showed the findings of research done in Germany. Through the use of Kirlian photography, developed in Russia, researchers caught the glimpse of the electromagnetic field (aura) around the feet and hands. When they found a disturbance in the aura they traced the closest meridian through the body and every time they detected an abnormal physical condition along the meridian route.
Reflexology and Acupressure promote good health and general well-being for everyone, regardless of their physical condition.
Using a combination of Reflexology and Acupressure is of enormous benefit. This is the reason I call the Reflexology I practice European Style. In Europe we have incorporated the knowledge about the Meridians in our sessions for a number of years. We also massage the ears, hands, and feet during the session.
Reflexology
Reflexology is much more than a foot massage. It is the application of specific finger pressure techniques on feet, hands, and ears and unblocks and rebalances the energy flow (also called electron flow, cell-communication or Qi) in our body. Our feet, hands, and ears are like “maps” of our body, with reflex areas for every part and organ of the body.
Tender points indicate a congestion in the corresponding part of our body – by this our body is telling us that it needs help to find its balance and well being again. Painful spots in our feet, corns, callus, ingrown toenails, athlete’s foot are usually related to a problem in our body. In a healthy person these signs are not evident.
Anna Christine says “Until recently I used firmer finger pressure (always asking the client whether it is still possible to stay relaxed) because it was taught this way and I also liked the pressure myself. Since I started practicing Reconnective Healing and also Bioplasmic Healing I realized that consciously tender touching of feet, hands and ears is perfect and effective. When I can affect a person over thousands of km why should I then apply pressure on the foot. I truly believe that clients benefit from the new and different energies I’m carrying by practicing Reconnective Healing.”
When we say “My feet are killing me.” we should find out what is wrong in our body.
Reflexology relieves stress and tension, improves circulation of blood and lymph flow, removes toxins, stimulates the endocrine system, activates the immune system, rejuvenates*, and helps the body to heal itself.
* Reflexology is r e j u v e n a t i n g because the pituitary
gland, which plays a role in the excretion of the growth hormone,
becomes stimulated during a Reflexology session.
Several Reflexology sessions in a row and the application of sufficient finger pressure stimulate and condition the body in a similar way as cardiovascular training does.
Body Reflexology
Body Reflexology is a use of Reflexology, Acupressure points and Reflex points (also called Trigger points) on the body.
A tender spot at any place on your body is a signal that the energy flow (Qi, Prana, Life Force) is congested or blocked. This in turn means trouble in some area that may be far removed from the tender spot. This signal is sent by your body so that you take action, and the faster we take action the less problems we have in old age. Also, the earlier one is paying attention to those signals and goes to a therapist the fewer sessions are needed. A younger body heals faster as does a “young” health problem.
This is the reason why Reflexology works such miracles of healing. Recent cases make it very clear that it is very important to get the energy flow balanced after every impact on the body: Fall off the ladder, broken nose, bike accidents, swimming accidents, burns, sprained ankle, and so on heal better when treated promptly.
Recent research in China, France, Great Britain, Germany, Israel, Scotland, Canada, United States, The Netherlands, and many other countries has produced a number of discoveries that throw light on the way Reflexology and Acupuncture and Acupressure may work.
Auricular Therapy (Reflexology – Ears)
Auricular Therapy is the use of the ear for therapeutic purposes. There exists a rich nerve innervation and multiple nerve connections to and from the central nervous system (brain and spine) in the ear. Every part of the body, as in the feet and hands, has an auricular correspondence. When an area of the body loses its homeostasis (physiological equilibrium), it’s corresponding point of projection on the ear becomes painful or an irregularity is apparent. These signs of imbalance are not evident in a healthy person.
Of course with any guidelines there are always exceptions and options.
Auricular Therapy
- Acute conditions can be worked daily;
- Sub acute conditions – 2 sessions a week for 2 – 3 weeks;
- Chronic conditions – 1 session a week for a few weeks and gradually decreasing to once a month.
With all conditions the frequency of the sessions should gradually decrease to once a month as the imbalance becomes less pronounced.
Reflexology – Feet
There is no set number of sessions before a client’s health may return to a balanced state. The severity of most conditions is:
~ moderately reduced in 4 – 6 sessions
~ greatly alleviated in 8 – 12 sessions
(Foot Reflexology Manual from the Reflexology Association of Canada RAC)
With all conditions the frequency of the sessions should be gradually decreased.
Contact:
Anna Christine Doehring – Nanaimo, BC – Vancouver Island
Email Anna Christine
Reflexology BC | Acupressure Therapy BC | Depression Energy Healing BC
