Reflexology is often confused with a foot massage and considered a treat, rather than a way to provide relief. Many people think that reflexology is good for relaxation and treating sore feet. While this is true, not everybody realizes that reflexology therapy is a powerful back pain killer that can be used to help people with lower back problems.
Australians spend at least $55 billion each year on chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Almost 10% of Australians suffer from back pain at some point in their life, being in pain for weeks, months, or even years. If this pain lasts more three months, it is considered chronic. If you’re one of the 1.8 million Australians who suffer from back pain at some point in their life, you’ll know how miserable it can be. It can impact on your daily life and stop you doing things you love or could you could even be reliant on drugs to keep you mobile or help you sleep.
The vicious pain cycle
Back pain can be caused by numerous causes of muscle strain or spasms, overuse, sprains of ligaments (attached to bones), joint problems or a “slipped disc”. A slipped disc also called a herniated disc and happens when a disc between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine bulges and presses on the nerves. This is often caused by twisting while lifting.
Back pain is commonly caused by using your back muscles in activities you’re not used to, like lifting heavy furniture or twisting your body. This is called acute pain and often resolves with a few days’ rest. If it doesn’t clear up on its own, your body may need a hand.
Without treatment, the lower back pain can become a chronic problem and may influence your daily activities and exercise. If you can no longer exercise pain-free, you might end up in a vicious cycle of inactivity which makes your pain worse and this stops you being active even more so. Or you could just increase your medication to kill the pain, but that just suppresses the problem. Some strong pain medications contain opioids, like codeine, which can lose their power over time as you build up a tolerance to their effects and they can also have unwanted side effects.
Alternatively, you can choose a drug-free way to manage your back pain that is effective but doesn’t have the side effects. Reflexology is a natural way and proven healing method. Studies show that reflexology is effective for pain relief for conditions such as osteoarthritis and back pain. It can be so powerful that you may be able to decrease the number of painkillers you need to manage your back pain and start to live a more active life doing the things you love.
How can Reflexology help beat back pain
Reflexology doesn’t just pamper you – it can help to restore, improve circulation, assist in detoxification and does wonders for your stress and hormone levels including endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
How? There are about 5 million receptors in your skin and there are approximately 7200 nerve endings in each foot, 2500 in each hand and 435 in each ear. The whole body is map out in the hands, feet, and ears and has corresponding reflex areas in the nerve endings.
The inner arch of your foot or hand corresponds to your spine. Applying firm pressure, follow from the top of the big toe down one vertebrae at the time, releases the body’s natural painkillers endorphins and acts as effective analgesia. In combination with exercise, regular reflexology therapy helped people suffering from chronic back pain to feel less anxious about their condition too.
Manage back pain by getting regular treatment, not just when it is too much to bear. Don’t let muscle pain or injury keep you from dominating your life – reflexology can help keep you moving.
It’s your secret weapon! If you suffer from back pain and want to try something more holistic – Book an introduction reflexology session now and kill that back pain.
