Digestive Disorders Reflexology
The digestive system is arguably the most important system in the body. It turns food into energy and removes the residue as a waste product. It is essential to good health as it provides all the nutrients we need to survive and if it shuts down or performs poorly, the body cannot be nourished properly and it cannot rid itself of waste.
Increasingly we are realising that the digestive system is key to a healthy immune system and also positive mental health. Food literally is medicine!
Stress and poor food choices in today’s modern world are causing digestive problems and more serious disorders to become commonplace. Food intolerances are becoming increasingly common. Stress targets the digestive system and if it disrupts the absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste then the rest of the body is in for a rough ride.
Dr Anton Emmanuel, Consultant Gastroenterologist at University College Hospital in London suggests that around 40% of people have at least one digestive problem at any one time which can include:
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Changes in bowel habits
There are 25 different conditions relating to the digestive system. Some may not last long and could be symptomatic of external things. However, some are long lasting and life changing and require proper medical support to manage the condition. More common digestive problems can include:
- Coeliac disease
- Constipation
- Crohn’s disease
- Diarrhoea
- Gall stones
- Haemorrhoids
- Heartburn and acid reflux
- Indigestion
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Ulcerative colitis
Reflexology to ease digestive disorders
Reflexology helps the body to help itself and many digestive symptoms and issues can be alleviated with regular treatment. There is a network of over 7,000 reflex points on the feet that can be linked to the various different areas of the digestive system.
The colon is a vital part of the digestive system, so important in fact, that some doctors like Dr. Schulze say that ‘All Disease Begins in The Colon’. He greatly stresses the importance of keeping the colon clean, clear and healthy so it may do it’s job properly. The colon itself actually has a series of reflex points on the feet and by manipulating these reflexes, the body is encouraged to begin self-healing.
Reflexology activates the parasympathetic nervous system thus calming and restoring balance to the sympathetic nervous system which is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response produced when a stressful situation occurs. The effect of activating this part of your nervous system is aptly called ‘The Relaxation Response’. With this system activated, muscle contraction, blood pressure, heart rate and nervous tension are reduced.
The digestive system is a complex network of muscles and calming ‘spasm’ is very effective for calming digestive complaints. Reflexology helps the body function properly and is a safe and effective treatment to help reduce our digestive systems experience.
Self help
Please see the basic pdf guide about Digestive Reflexology