Reflexology For Depression - How Effective Is It?

By Jackie De Burca


Many people are not yet aware of the beneficial effects of reflexology in treating depression but there are evidence suggesting that reflexology can be beneficial in treating several cases of depression. Let's first discuss the important details of depression and find out the connection between reflexology and depression.

One Out of Every Five People is Affected by Depression

It is believed that depression can affect one out of every five people at some point of their lives in varying degrees. The mild symptoms of depression include feeling of being in spirit, struggle in carrying out tasks and feeling of having a worthless life. In extreme cases of depression, a person may lose the will to live. This is very crucial stage for an individual because it may trigger suicidal.

The Available Treatments for Depression

In cases of mild depression, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellent (NICE) recommends that medication, in the form of anti-depressants, are not the best treatment option. This is because the side effects are considered to outweigh the benefits.

Recent studies revealed that medications can still be of help but only to sufferers of mild depression. The non-medical treatments for depression include self help, counselling and cognitive behavioral therapy.

The Connection Between Depression, Hormones And Reflexology

Just like any health condition, depression has its own stages, labels, degree of seriousness and treatment methods.

Let's find the difference between males and females in terms of hormones and depression./

In women, depression is most likely to occur in stages where there is a significant change in the level of hormones in their body.

Pregnancy

Post natal

Perimenopause

Menopause

Around 8%-15% of women suffer from depression on their menopausal stage. It usually occurs as a symptom of menopause and begins to manifest in perimenopause due to a substantial change in the level of hormones inside the body.

Depression is considered as one of the most life-threatening symptoms of menopausal in men which is known as andropause. It is a stage in men's life which is described by a drastic change in the level of testosterone in the body.

How Reflexology Targets A Treatment For Depression

In accordance with the principles of reflexology, a wide variety of diseases can be treated through the application of pressure on the reflexive points of the hands and feet. These points are associated with the body's vital organs, glands and tissues. There are certain areas on the hands and feet which need to be triggered in order to treat depression.

Reflexology is useful in addressing the following issues:

1. The endocrine system will be activated

2. Endorphins, nature's feel good hormones, will be released, which at the very least will reduce the stress response of the patient

3. Harmony in the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems is restored which brings a person to a relaxed state.

4. Elimination of Toxins

5. The activation of the lymphatic system.

6. Increased blood flows to the organs

Depression Treatment With Reflexology Have Been Documented To Help

Several scientific studies have backed the claim that reflexology can be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of depression. Furthermore, he British Royal College of Psychiatrists claim that relaxation techniques can be great self-help remedies for depression.




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