Saturday 8 June 2013

Reflexology and pH Balance

 

Reflexology and the pH Balance of the Body.  This is what has been known for centuries “life is all about balance.”


  By Julie Wilson, Certified Reflexologist, Wilson and Reynolds Reflexology

Are you wondering how Reflexology and our pH balance are connected, let me explain.  Please keep in mind this information is not based on research studies or any scientific proof and only the opinion of the writer.

Reflexology provides the body the opportunity to relax, reduce stress and tension, increase circulation, as well as to help the body heal itself.

Reflexology works all the systems of the body to keep energy flowing, breaking up any restrictions which in turn keeps the body balanced.  When we say balance, we are talking pH balance.  The heart pumps blood throughout the body, opening up blood vessels, veins and arteries.  Good blood circulation is crucial for the overall health of the body since blood is responsible for bringing oxygen and essential nutrients and to the entire body. That’s why the body cannot by any means function properly if the blood circulation is poor. This allows disease and illness to set in.

Working the entire foot with foot reflexology, roughly half an hour on each foot will significantly increase circulation as well as provide many other benefits. Working the foot and/ or hands aids in digestion; helping to move the excess acid, also referred to as toxic waste, out of the body.  The immune and autoimmune systems are also stimulated to fight against acid build up in joints and muscles.  Reflexology works the endocrine system.  Our glands all work together just like a well oiled machine.  Balance relates to the glandular functioning of your body, or homeostasis. Homeostasis is really just a biochemical balancing act played every day of our lives by our endocrine glands.  Homeostasis is the medical term used for the body's internal balancing act. It means that our unconscious body functions such as body temperature and glandular secretions are working for us to keep us alive and functioning.

This was just mentioning a few of the bodies systems and the effect of reflexology.  As I mentioned before, all the systems of the body are worked and each system has an important role in aiding our pH balance.

pH stands for power of hydrogen, which is a measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration in the body. The total pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 considered to be neutral. The lower the pH number, the greater the acidity, and the higher the pH number, the greater the alkalinity.  Our ideal pH is slightly alkaline - 7.20. You can test your pH levels regularly by using a piece of litmus paper in your saliva or urine first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything.

Human body pH balance is key. Failure to maintain an alkaline pH in our tissues and cells will hurt our cellular health. Too much acidity (too little alkalinity) can cause weight gain. Cancer cells, disease-causing bacteria, fungus, viruses and parasites can thrive in acidic body tissue. A combination of a good alkaline diet, the water you drink, the air you breathe, the amount of sunlight you are exposed to, how well you sleep, the amount of stress in your life, and how often you get physical exercise, can have a profound effect on the pH level of your body. This will affect how healthy you are and how long you will live. Read more by Marcus Julian Felicetti on all the systems of the body and how they respond to acid and alkaline in the body.

Diet, eating the recommended ratios of acidic/alkaline foods daily (for examples see chart and food list below), Exercise (read more here ) will keep oxygen flowing and this is where Reflexology comes in!  Regular Reflexology treatments combined with diet and exercise is a part of the whole. Assisting in balance to feel your best and look your best!