Reflexology for Gout management is one of the best treatments for Gout. It works wonders when combined with other alternative therapies like Hydrotherapy, Fasting therapy and Massage therapy. Reflexology came from Chinese medicine which believes in the philosophy of Qi. An imbalance in Qi is explained as a disease condition.
Reflexology is also referred to as Zone Therapy, involving the stimulation of specific points at the lower and upper extremities. The stimulation of these reflex points promotes positive health and heals the other parts of the body. In Gout conditions, stimulating the reflex points of the feet is considered more beneficial than those of the hands or ears.
Reflexology is the process of application of moderate pressure on specific pressure points of the hands and feet using the thumb without oil or cream. The assessment is done on the basis of ten longitudinal representations of the areas and zones of the body.
According to Chinese medicine, it is believed that these reflexology zones symbolically represent all body and energy systems. The normal procedure is to apply pressure over the reflex zones that represent particular organs of the body. Relax your feet first and cleanse them using water or by dipping your feet in warm water. The massage is done slowly in a deliberate manner. This helps to break down the uric acid crystals in the Gouty joints, prevents further accumulation of uric acid crystals and also improves circulation. This also improves the nutrient supply to various parts of body, increase metabolic processes, facilitates toxin elimination, encourages normal body functions, eliminates stress and promotes general health.
Consult your doctor if you are suffering from diabetes, kidney disorders, hypertension, cancer or if you are pregnant before taking a reflexology treatment. There are 70+ reflexology zones in your feet. It not required that you be familiar with all of them. It is more important to know at least four main zones– adrenal, lymph nodes, testicle/ovary, prostrate or uterus. As Gout is an auto-immune disorder, the white cells overreact to the urate crystals. Thus the stimulation of lymph nodes and adrenal glands can tone down the over reactive immune system.
Reflexology for Gout management benefits the kidneys by stimulating their functions. The best way to do this is to stimulate the corresponding points on the soles of the feet that represent kidneys. This will in turn have an effect on the kidney functions which will prevent the formation of the uric acid in the body. It is always better to stimulate both the feet for both kidneys.
Reflexology helps in pain management as well. Massage around the Gout affected area will provide relief. A hot water foot bath with Epsom salts provides relief after the foot reflexology treatment. There might be some side effects like nausea, sinus congestions and also headache. These side effects are just temporary symptoms which are termed as healing crisis in alternative system of medicine. They generally do not last more than twenty four hours. Consult your reflexologist, if required.
Reflexology should be avoided in case of acute attacks of Gout. Place some folded bed sheets or a pillow below the feet so that it is not painful during the massage. You can take a heat treatment after a foot reflexology to stay comfortable. One should always apply oil before the heat treatment. The heat treatment could be administered with the help of an Infra red lamp held at a gap of one and half feet from the skin to avoid burns and should be administered intermittently. Alternate method of heat treatment would be the application of powdered mustard paste wrapped in a piece of cloth and placed over the affected joints and then removed after 45 minutes. These post treatments after reflexology would be of an added advantage and can promote effective pain relief.
