Reflexology is a natural therapy that consists of a series of manual massages on certain parts of the body that produce a series of effects on other organs of the body. This is because on the soles of the feet we find countless nerve endings (which we can also call reflex zones) and which are connected to the different organs and parts of our body. If these massages are carried out on the soles of the feet, the technique is called foot reflexology.
Surely foot reflexology is the best known and most used reflexology technique. Because it is a natural therapy with very few contraindications and side effects, it is a very suitable technique for the whole family, including children.
As we have already commented in other posts, one of the indications of reflexology, and massage in general, is to improve sleep (more and better!).
Why is one of the benefits of reflexology improved sleep?
Well, as with other massage techniques that have countless benefits, there are many reasons why reflexology can help you get better sleep:
Because massage considerably reduces the feeling of fatigue
Because it relieves the feeling of heaviness in the legs and feet
Because it relieves all the tensions of the body, especially the tensions in the entire area of the neck
Because it improves all types of muscle contractures
Because it improves stress pictures a lot
Because the massage produces a feeling of relaxation and general well-being, both physically and mentally
All this makes reflexology help us not only to fall asleep, but also considerably improves the quality of sleep and helps us achieve a restful sleep. It is, therefore, a technique indicated not only in cases of insomnia, but of all kinds of sleep problems in general.
Key considerations when using reflexology to improve sleep
Although reflexology is a technique indicated to improve the quality of sleep, there are a series of aspects that we must take into account so that it really helps us with insomnia problems:
The technique should be applied preferably towards the end of the day, with which the relaxing effect will be much more effective than if we apply it in the first hours of the day
We must ensure that there is a quiet and not noisy environment. We can put on quiet music if we prefer, this can help us create a much more favourable environment for relaxation
The patient must be totally comfortable, to get them to relax to the maximum. At this point, it is also important to point out that the therapist must also be comfortable and relaxed, since if the therapist is uncomfortable, she will undoubtedly transfer her discomfort to her patient. For this reason, it is essential that the person giving the massage is well seated, with good posture and with well relaxed shoulders, arms and hands.
We must ensure that there is visual contact between the therapist and the patient, as this will greatly help the therapist to capture the patient's reactions. Let's not forget that sometimes massaging certain areas can cause pain. If the person giving the massage can see the face of her patient at all times, this will give him a lot of information about the manipulations that she is carrying out and how to follow with the massage.
We must practice the massage on both feet, with constant pressure and circular movements in an anti-clockwise direction. The sole of the foot should be massaged first, from the toes to the heel and not forgetting the sides of the feet. We can insist on the areas that produce the most pain by pressing on them with the thumb. We must finish by gently massaging the instep, the heel and the entire foot in general.
And finally, think about getting it regularly!
In our society, we often opt for quick and easy solutions. When we have a bit of a headache, we medicate (or rather, we self-medicate), we take an anxiolytic when we have anxiety problems and when we cannot sleep, we take a pill. It seems important to us to emphasize that sometimes there are other solutions to minor problems that could perhaps help us the same without the need to self-medicate so much. So... why not give it a try? Have you tried or know someone who has used reflexology to combat insomnia or to improve sleep problems? In the event that you had difficulty falling asleep, would you try it or would you prefer to go to the traditional method and take some medicine to sleep? Why?