There are a range of massage therapy schools in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Most offer a wide range of training and courses to meet all requirements of today's massage therapist. Many of these provide Reflexology as part of a standard training program. What exactly is Reflexology? It's an alternative treatment approach that focuses on energy flow to help relieve the tension and stress found in the body.
It's not surprising that the popularity of Reflexology has spread quickly across the nation. The techniques for reflexology are extremely different from traditional massage, nevertheless include it as part of an elective class for any of the accredited massage and shiatsu diploma programs in Minneapolis massage therapy school. Since it is such a popular modality, many massage therapists have chosen to include Reflexology as one of their massage specialties. As a result, massage therapists can benefit by incorporating Reflexology as another modality to their clinic. Moreover, students pursuing a professional massage therapy degree or continuing their education can learn Reflexology in their school and then add it to their curriculum.
The benefits of Reflexology come from the particular areas of the body where reflex points are located. When applied correctly, it is going to target these reflex areas in the hands and feet to help promote healing through increased blood flow and decreased tension. This same targeted application will also improve muscle strength in the back and shoulders. However, just as with massage, there are not specific areas of the body which are targeted for reflexology. Instead, it is thought that the hands and feet are the ideal location for applying pressure for maximum benefits.
Perhaps the most popular area in which Reflexology is practiced is over the shoulders and neck. Massage techniques focus mainly on those regions since they are believed to harbor a great deal of energy which can be tapped for therapeutic benefits. As a result of this, applying pressure points like those from the neck and shoulders is a good way to both relax the body and create additional energy for healing. While massage therapy focuses primarily on stress points on the body, Reflexology applies its therapy methods to the specific regions where pressure points are located.
Another area where Reflexology could be applied is within the ears. This is not surprising given the proximity to the head and neck. The ear is also connected to the brain which gives the ears their sensory organ, thus providing a possible source of sensory input. Because the ear contains sensitive nerve endings, the application of massage to the ears provides a relaxing effect as well as the potential benefits of stimulating the nervous system that assists in the healing process. This is the reason why ear reflexology has been viewed as an effective modality in the treatment of chronic conditions like depression, tension and pain.
One of the crucial ways in which Reflexology may be used is through the application of pressure points on the entire body. Pressure points refer to targeted areas on the body that allow for greater blood circulation, thus allowing for increased general wellness. For example, there's a specific pressure point referred to as the acupoints located near the wrist. By applying pressure on these acupoints, the reflex points found in the wrist begin to transfer blood 강남출장안마 circulation to the whole body, including the skin. By increasing blood circulation, the entire body is able to maximize its immune system and operate more effectively to fight infection and heal itself.
As previously mentioned, Reflexology uses its finger pressure points to stimulate the nerves in the body. It's this connection to the nervous system which makes Reflexology therapeutic in many cases. However, as interesting as that may sound, the primary reason that massage therapy is often regarded as effective at relieving pain and the treatment of an assortment of conditions is due to its ability to change the state of one's energy system. According to traditional reflexology, the body consists of the five basic meridians that run parallel to one another. By working every meridian with unique techniques, the energy system of the person can be changed.
Massage allows for the easy transfer of energy across the meridians and to the different parts of the body. If done correctly, it can stimulate the appropriate circulation in the body, allowing for organs to obtain the proper nutrients they need. Besides potential benefits such as improved circulation, there are also verified reflexology techniques which can help decrease pain and decrease the recovery time after an injury or surgery. Therefore, regardless of what you originally had in mind when you chose to go to the spa, it may be worth it to consider Reflexology.