The Power of Reflexology & Lavender Essential Oil

Our feet do so much work for us day after day. Many working adults are on their feet for up to 14 hours a day, and suffer from chronic pain as a result. We usually don’t give our feet a second thought until they start hurting.

Reflexology promotes healing by stimulating nerves in the body and encouraging the flow of blood. In the process, any part of the body that is in pain or illness can be strengthened through the application of pressure at the respective food or hand location.

It is believed that certain areas on the feet and hands are linked to other areas and organs of the body. The concept of “zone therapy” was furthered by American physiotherapist Eunice Ingham in the 1930s, into what is known today as reflexology.

Does Science Support Reflexology?

Although reflexology is not used by the conventional modern Western medical establishment to diagnose or cure disease, millions of people around the world use it to complement other treatments when addressing medical conditions.

Science is minimal but has supported reflexology, to the point that the National Institutes of Health awarded 3.1 Million to Michigan State University to study the effects of reflexology on women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer for 5 years from 2005 to 2010. (1)

"The participants who received reflexology treatments cited a significant improvement compared to the control group in their ability to walk, carry groceries and climb stairs...Women in the reflexology group had less trouble breathing compared to women in the control group, and also compared to women who received sham reflexology."

The study, titled “Health-related quality-of-life outcomes: a reflexology trial with patients with advanced-stage breast cancer” and published in 2012 in Oncology Nursing Forum, concluded reflexology used in conjunction with standard medical care is beneficial to the patient.

During the study, there were no reports of any negative or adverse side effects to the use of reflexology.

Other studies conclude a relationship between positive health outcomes and Reflexology. Conclusions suggest a robust relationship exists between neural processing of somatosensory percepts to the reflex being stimulated and the tactile sensation of a specific reflex area. (1)

We have already talked in previous posts about the science supporting lavender for anxiety, migraines, insomnia, dementia, anger management, menopause, fungal infection, hair growth, and skin infections & burns. Its safe to say that going to a professional and well trained reflexologist should produce a benefit to your health, and combining the treatment with lavender essential oil is sure to increase the benefits.  

Ask your reflexologist to use lavender essential oil during your treatment and let us know how things turned out!

[Source 1]