Reflexology & Reiki Melissa Dunseith Reflexologist / Reiki Master (Click Therapist's picture for Bio and Fees)     REFLEXOLOGY   What is it? Reflexology is natural therapy that has been practiced for thousands of years. Most ancient cultures have a tradition of working on the feet in order to rebalance the body. Reflexology has been practiced by the native people of North America, and the people of ancient Europe, China and India.   Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist who worked in the 1930s, is considered to be the founder of modern reflexology. She based her findings on the work of two American medical doctors, Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Riley. They discovered that there are zones which evenly cross the body, and these referral areas are known as “reflex” points. It was Eunice Ingham who mapped out the human body on the feet, based on the reflex points.   What does it do? By stimulating nerve endings, or reflexes, through touch, reflexology aims to bring the body into balance. Reflexology encourages the body to function better by improving blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, stimulating the nerve pathways and relaxing the muscles in the body. By rejuvenating the body organs, releasing muscular tension, and helping with detoxification, reflexology encourages the body to activate its own healing ability.   Reflexology is an outstanding therapy for promoting overall relaxation. And, when the body relaxes, it can better deal with the stresses we put on it every day. As many of our health problems can be linked to stress, reflexology can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle to promote better health.   Chronic conditions respond very well to reflexology. Within the last 20 years, research studies have been done that prove the effectiveness of reflexology in treating a wide variety of conditions. Reflexologists do not claim to cure conditions, so much as to help symptoms become more manageable, lessen physical pain, and boost the body’s self-healing powers.   Since reflexology treats the whole person, not the symptoms of disease, most people benefit from treatment. The therapy brings relief to a wide range of conditions, and is suitable for all ages.   What do I need to know? Your comfort is the most important aspect of the session. The reflexology treatment begins with a foot inspection, during which imbalances in the feet are observed and recorded by the reflexologist. The treatment then follows. The reflexologist uses her hands to gently manipulate the feet and relax the muscles.   The goal of the treatment is to address problem areas, or areas of congestion, which may feel sensitive to the touch. For the most part, the sensation is pleasant and soothing. Reflexology will relax you while stimulating the body's own healing mechanisms.   Once your body is in-tune, it is wise to have regular treatments in order to help maintain health and well-being. An increasing number of people are using this safe, natural therapy as a way of relaxing, balancing and harmonizing the body. An enjoyable addition to your well-being.   REIKI   What is it? The word Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a Japanese kanji which means “universal life-force energy.” Reiki is a powerful and unique system of hands on healing that unlocks the inner flow of ki (vital life force energy that flows through all living things) within us. Reiki is thought to have originated as an ancient Tibetan Buddhist practice that was discovered in the late 1800’s by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist. During the last day of his twenty-one day retreat of meditation, prayers, chanting and fasting at Mount Kurama in Kyoto, Japan, Mr. Usui experienced a very powerful, spiritual awakening. On the basis of his lifelong spiritual journey and his more recent spiritual experience, he developed “The Usui System of Natural Healing” which eventually came to be known as Usui Reiki.  Intuitively, Mr. Usui knew that he could now heal others without depleting his own energy and desired to share this powerful knowledge with others. The last four years of his life were dedicated to teaching over 2000 students and training 16 teachers in hopes of making this simple healing technique available to all people worldwide. This holistic, energy-based modality helps enhance and accelerate the body’s innate healing ability. It can be used to address the root cause of illness, as well as its physical and emotional manifestations. Reiki is simple, safe, non-invasive and can be given to anyone, any place, any time and in any situation.  It is a wonderful complement to all holistic therapies and allopathic medical treatments.  Reiki does not interfere with, but may actually improve the results of other forms of healing, such as surgery, pharmaceutical drugs or herbal supplements, and psychological care.   <Reiki Continued>   ____________________________________________________________________________________________________     Back To Main Page