Massage vs. Reflexology: What is the difference??

I have some extra money and want to pamper myself, should I go for foot reflexology or full body massage?
Many would respond full body massage, of course! The answer is absolutely your choice, but me personally would not go for the massage. I would choose Reflexology. And here's why...

• Full body relaxation
• Burst of oxygen throughout entire body
• Every cell, body system, or organ moving to balance
• Can receive post op
• Can receive while injured
• Can receive with clothing on

A bit about the two healing modalitites that are so often confused:

Massage is the direct manipulation of muscles, tendons, and connective tissue. There are many different styles:

• Swedish-Smooth and long strokes along muscles
• Shiatsu-Detailed pin pointed pressing usually with thumbs
• Deep Tissue-Heavy pressure along muscles usually with elbows
• Rolfing-Manipulation of skeleton by pressing deep enough to allow connective tissue to rearrange its hold on the bones.
• Lomi Lomi-Hawaiian method of massage. Uses mostly long strokes with forearms and elbows.
• Thai-Traditional Thai massage uses mostly compression along meridian lines and streches. 

The effect of massage is localized to the one specific area being worked on. The only muscles affected are the ones being pressed. Here is one article that explains what I mean. Click on the link that is highlighted to read the article. Science Daily Massage Research. The study illustrates how massage brings oxygen to the area being worked on and how that oxygen helps to heal that area by lowering inflammation.  

Reflexology, on the other hand, is quite different.  When a reflex point is pressed, it communicates to the body via the nervous system. The patient will receive the same affect as massage (relaxation and circulation) except it will reach the entire body. A practicioner can access your liver, stomach, spleen, or even adrenal gland indirectly. Since the pressure doesn't need to be applied locally, the patient can be injured and still receive the wonderful healing powers of increased oxygen and blood flow to the injured area. 

Pressing specific points sends a message to the brain to normalize the body. In this way, Reflexology is a vehicle for strengthening our bodies own healing potential.  It can help bring the body back to balance and strengthen the body's ability to respond to stressors. Here is an article from Inner Edge about Reflexology and Stress. 

Hopefully this post helps one to differentiate between Reflexology and Massage as well as help to fully understand the process behind each method. The difference is simply that Reflexology gently communicates to any organ or body system via the nervous system by pressing reflex points. Massage provides relaxation and increased blood flow (including all the wonderful healing effects from these two) only to the area being worked on.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next post!