Six Benefits of Hand and Foot Massage! 

Hand and Foot Massage Reflexology

Take a minute or two and think about how much we rely on our hands and feet each minute of each day. When you really stop to consider it, even the simplest, everyday activity often involves either our hands, our feet, or even both simultaneously! So it should come as no big surprise that tension in our hands and/or our feet can take a huge toll on our health and it should come as no big surprise that relieving that tension can have a huge positive impact on our overall well-being! 

Reflexology is a specific massage technique based on the ancient premise that our entire body is fully interconnected, and that addressing pressure points in one area of the body impacts other organs and/or bodily systems. Reflexology, or put more simply hand and foot massage, is premised on the idea that applying restorative pressure to the hands and/or the feet can create a positive effect in specific other areas of the body. In other words, not only does hand and foot massage feel great, it can make you healthier as well.  

Here are six specific benefits associated with hand and foot massage!  

Reduces stress and anxiety. 

Just the right amount of pressure on exactly the right spots on the hands and feet is literally relaxing. In other words, stimulating the body to release physical tension throughout the body by massaging the hands and feet helps the mind relax, unwind, and release tension as well. Whether as a stand-alone treatment or when incorporated into other massage techniques, a hand and foot massage is a great way to relieve stress and reduce anxiety! 

Lifts depression and improves mood.  

The power of human touch is amazing when it comes to fighting depression. Reflexologists—licensed massage therapists with specialized training in hand and foot massage—understand exactly what points on the hands and/or the feet are best for fighting depression, improving overall mood, and enhancing a sense of personal well-being.  

Pain relief. 

If you are experiencing pain in your hands or your feet, then the benefit of a relevant hand or foot massage is pretty straight-forward; for example, if you spend all day, every day on your feet (especially if you cannot wear supportive footwear), a daily foot massage, even just for a few minutes, will go a long way towards reducing resulting discomfort. However, a well-performed reflexology massage, hitting specific pressure points in the hands and feet, has been shown to relieve pain and discomfort in other areas of the body as well! 

Improved blood flow. 

One of the primary benefits of massage in general is improved blood flow, and this is especially true of the hands and feet. Located at “the extremity” of the body, it can be difficult for blood to easily reach the furthest points in the hands and feet, resulting in a lack of sufficient oxygen to the nerve endings. In the worst cases, this can lead to extra sensitivity, tingling, and even numbness. A restorative massage of the hands and/or the feet can help restore proper blood flow for better oxygenation.  

Better sleep habits.  

Some experts argue that a good night’s sleep is the ultimate foundation for health and wellness. Unfortunately, given our busy lives and jam-packed schedules, getting to bed on time and letting the mind settle in order to fall asleep quickly can be challenging. The overall relaxation and well-being that comes from a hand and foot massage can significantly improve your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, in order to ensure that you get the rest you need to make it through your busy day. 

Healthy feet and hands. 

Perhaps the most obvious, yet the most overlooked, benefit of a hand and/or foot massage is the impact such a massage has on the health of your hands and feet. Whether we spend all day typing at a keyboard or standing on our feet, we rely on our hands and our feet all day, every day! So giving your hands and feet a little TLC with a gentle, stimulating massage performed by a licensed massage therapist can be just what they need to stay healthy so you can stay healthy!  

Contact Urban Acupuncture Center in Columbus, OH For More Information

For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488    |    Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or  click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.

Using Acupuncture to Treat Asthma Symptoms, Respiratory Issues & Allergies

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.

Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over time, it’s important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.

Using Acupuncture to Treat Asthma Symptoms, Respiratory Issues & Allergies

People living with asthma use a variety of methods to keep their condition under control. Common methods include taking daily medicine to lower inflammation in the airways, and using inhalers for quick relief when an asthma attack strikes, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

For some people, complementary treatment options can boost the effectiveness of conventional treatments and help keep symptoms under control. A complementary option could include acupuncture.

In Chinese medicine, asthma is called “xiao chuan”, which means wheezing and dyspnea, respectively. Chinese medicine classifies xiao and chuan as two separate illnesses with different treatments. Xiao (wheezing) is characterized by a whistling sound during breathing, increased respiration rate, dyspnea and inability to rest in a horizontal position. Chuan (shortness of breath) is characterized by dyspnea, constant opening of mouth to grasp air, raised shoulder, flared nostrils and inability to rest in a horizontal position. Patients with xiao (wheezing) generally will have chuan (shortness of breath), while patients with chuan (shortness of breath) may or may not have xiao (wheezing). In Western medicine, wheezing and shortness of breath are both considered as symptoms which may be present in many different types of pulmonary syndromes such as asthma, acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

What Science Says About Acupuncture Relieving Asthma Attacks

Researchers find acupuncture effective for relieving allergic asthma, a type of asthma triggered by allergens (e.g., dust mites, mold, pollen, foods). Symptoms include wheezing, difficulty breathing, itchy eyes, sinusitis, rhinitis, a general feeling of malaise, and sneezing. In a randomized controlled trial of 1,445 patients, acupuncture provided lasting relief for six months.

The researchers note that after the three months of acupuncture treatments, patients had significant improvements in global quality of life scores and individual parameters such as symptoms, activities, emotions, physicality, and mental function. An important finding, the durability of acupuncture was confirmed by a six month follow-up. Despite not having any acupuncture for three months following the completion of the study’s treatment regimen, the six month data point measured improvements “comparable to the 3 months’ improvements.”

If traditional treatment options don’t seem to be working or are giving you unpleasant side effects, acupuncture may be your solution.

Contact Us For More Information

For more information about how acupuncture, massage therapy and other alternative healing treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488    |    Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or  click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.