Massage and Reflexology
The main difference between massage and reflexology is that massage can be performed on many parts of the body, while reflexology puts pressure on specific points on the feet and hands.
Differences between Massage and Reflexology
There are many differences between massage and reflexology such as:
- While reflexology primarily uses the thumbs and fingers to work small muscles, massage therapy uses techniques that use the hands and elbows to work large muscles.
- Reflexology can be applied to hands, feet, and/or ears. Massage is applied to the whole body.
- While massage works on the structures of the body, the aim of reflexology is to address the improvement of gland, organ, and system function.
- The goal of reflexology is to stimulate the nervous system and soft tissue responses stimulated by the meridians. In massage therapy, the treatment is systemic and benefits the entire system.
- The benefits of reflexology are total body relaxation and improved circulation by stimulating the body’s nervous and energetic systems. It also balances all internal and external body systems, while massage offers the benefits of more localized muscle relaxation. Alternatively, when massaging the whole body, the benefits are an overall increase in circulation and a reduction in muscle tension.
Benefits of Massage And Relaxation
A review of 170 studies shows that reflexology effectively affects physical and psychological problems such as:
- Relief of Pain, Nausea, Vomiting, and Anxiety in Chemotherapy Patients
- Ease from Depression
- Relief of Phantom Limb Pain, Neuropathy, and Hemodialysis
- Pain Relief
- Postoperative Convalescent Patients
- Increased blood flow to feet, brain, kidneys, and intestines
Since feet and hands are an integral part of the tension and stress felt by the rest of the body, reflexology resolves stress signals and resets the nerves. Basically, provides an easy way to Body balance and homeostasis.
Types of Reflexology
Craniosacral Reflexology integrates the ideas of reflexology, cranial osteopathy, and craniosacral therapy such as:
- Body reflexology is a remedy for reflex zones and factors during the body.
- Cutaneous Nerve Reflexology.
- Fertility Reflex region massage.
Side Effects of Reflexology
A few people have stated slight side effects after reflexology treatments, such as:
- Terrible movement in legs.
- Infection or blood clots in leg veins.
- Gout.
- Foot ulcers.
- Athlete’s foot diseases.
- Low platelet counts make bruising and bleeding more likely.
Types of Massage
We have four common massages such as:
- Swedish massage is usually used by most people to alleviate muscle tension.
- Deep Tissue rub down. Deep tissue employs the usage of pressure implemented deeply to areas experiencing pain or disorder.
- Sports massage remedy.
- Trigger point massage.
Side Effects of Massage
Basically, massage can enhance endorphins, blood circulation, and immune function. Again, this is a fact massage does not remove toxins that have accumulated in the body. It is important for massage therapists to uncover this ancient myth and teach their clients the true benefits of massage. Due to the pressure technique used in deep tissue massage, some people experienced pain during and/or after a treatment session.
- Headache/migraine.
- Fatigue or drowsiness.
See our Massage and Reflexology Books