Читать книгу Reflexology: The Definitive Practitioner's Manual: Recommended by the International Therapy Examination Council for Students and Practitoners - Beryl Crane - Страница 27

Another function of the autonomic nervous system is that of reflex nervous action. A reflex is an automatic involuntary activity brought about by a relatively simple nervous circuit without conscious control being involved. Thus a painful stimuli will bring about a reflex of withdrawing even before the brain has had time to send a message to the muscle involved. This is a reflex action that has been conditioned by other considerations, it is a protective reflex.

Reflex actions are extremely important. They adjust the tone of muscles, particularly those used in posture. It is for this reason I think reflexology has such a dynamical effect on all the spinal nerves of the vertebrae, improving all back and neck related problems.

The medical profession use reflexes for diagnosing many disorders of the nervous system. The most used one, often referred to in reflexology, is the Babinski reflex sign or plantar reflex; this is brought about by drawing a blunt instrument or stroking the lateral side of the plantar area of the foot from the heel to the little toe. In any person over the age of 18 months old, the normal flexor response would be a downward bunching of all the toes. When there is a reverse upward action of the great toe this is indicative that there may be some evidence of a disorder in the brain or spinal cord.

The hypothesis of reflexology is that the medical fraternity expect a reflex on the foot to indicate some clinical significance enabling them to assess a condition in the body (i.e. they are ‘reading’ the message coming out); a reflexologist uses the same sensory pathway of stimulation to send a message into the peripheral nervous system, which is a two-way circuit, and on into the central nervous system, a vast nerve network, and through the many interconnections here to reach the autonomic visceral reflexes of the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems that adjust the activity of the organs of the body cavities in the torso.

As reflexologists we work on the feet, dealing mostly with the minute reflexes. The nerve pathways are thought to traverse through the feet and body. Because of this, often when working on patients they feel a shock or stimuli on the opposite side of the body. This is considered to be crossed reflexes. The term ‘crossed reflex’ is often used in zone therapy and reflexology. The original neurological term refers to a response that is brought forth on the opposite side of the body to that on which the stimulus was administered, from ascending nerve tracts entering the opposite side of the brain. The term ‘crossed reflex’ in reflexology indicates an area of referral. This connection affects not only the corresponding organ that has an anatomical connection but also the represented area of the body; for instance, in the case of the head area, we know that if we stub our toe a headache may often develop. Cross reflexes can be used when it is unsuitable to work on a corresponding area, especially if there is any injury or damaged skin; for instance, if the patient has a broken toe, you could get an equal relief of pain by working on the thumb, so the injured part can be avoided. These reflexes can also be used as an area of assistance if the corresponding area is too tender. An area of assistance or helper area is another part of the body that may support or relieve the organ that is injured or has an imbalance through its anatomical connections.

Fitzgerald spoke of the following anatomical correspondences (figure 2.7)

• arms and legs correspond

• palms and soles correspond

• dorsal hands and dorsal feet correspond

• fingers and toes correspond

• wrists and ankles correspond

• hips and shoulders correspond.

This anatomical connection has always been part of TCM.

We know these reflexes are highly complicated and are still not fully understood. As therapists we need to have a knowledge of all these systems of the body thus enabling us to have a greater understanding of how reflexology works. For instance, why is the relaxation on the solar plexus area done on both feet? It was traditionally explained that it was concluded together so as not to cause an imbalance, even though we have only one solar plexus. When we rotate the pressure on the solar plexus point it can be explained in two ways: stimuli to the foot between zones 2 and 3 has a direct connection to the coeliac plexus because we are also rotating on the same area on the right foot. This area on the feet and hands is important when treating depression. The reason for solar plexus relaxation must be that both feet benefit from this dual stimulation. We know that the solar plexus is a strong network of sympathetic nerves and ganglia located high at the back of the abdomen. On the feet and hands the corresponding area lies between zones 2 and 3, just below the diaphragm line. This same area on the feet is the first point of the Kidney meridian (KI-1) according to TCM; it is an essential point for all acute problems, and it is a very effective point for all cases of any urgency. The corresponding point on the hands is PE-8; this is also a very potent effective point and is very dynamic in clearing excess heat from the heart and it has a wonderful calming effect on the mind. The Pericardium meridian originates from the chest area and descends through the diaphragm to the abdomen, another branch shoots off to the nipple and then to the axillary area to descend down the arm to terminate in the large finger (see figure 2.10); this channel is often considered to be connected to the emotions of elation and contentment.

Figure 2.7 Corresponding cross reflexes

Also when working on a person why does the heart rate slow down? We know that normally cardiac muscle contracts rhythmically without nervous stimulation. The pace is controlled by the autonomic nerves supplying a microscopic group of cells in the upper wall of the right atrium near the entry of the superior vena cava called the sinoatrial node. This area is supplied with parasympathetic fibres from the vagus nerves (tenth cranial nerve) and sympathetic fibres from the cardiac plexus and both end at this point, again receiving this dual stimulation. When stimulated each releases a different neurotransmitter; parasympathetic stimulation releases acetylcholine, slowing the heart rate, and sympathetic stimulation releases adrenaline and noradrenaline, speeding up the heart rate so the rate and depth of breathing are also increased. When working on the reflex points that correspond with these organs the body’s systems know whether the heart needs a boost or needs to be calmed down.

Pressure is known to relieve pain. Fitzgerald spoke of how he induced a state of inhibition throughout a zone when he used pressure, and then many of the pathological processes would disappear. He said, ‘We know lymphatic relaxation follows pressure’. He was repeatedly being called upon to expand on the theory of zone therapy and he stood by the idea that certain control centres in the medulla oblongata are stimulated, or more shocked, when pressure is applied to corresponding areas; alterations in function are then carried out by the pituitary body secretions affecting the many nerve pathways. He believed man to be of chemical formation but controlled by electrical energy and vibration. When Fitzgerald was in Europe he must have come into contact with many articles and papers that were published in those days, by the many neurologists who were studying the disorders of the nervous system.

Fitzgerald stated in his book Zone Therapy that manipulation of the fingers or hand over any injured place prevents a condition known as venous stasis, a state in which the injured surface becomes discoloured. Pressure helps inhibition of the nerve pathways to the brain; also when applied over any bony prominence that corresponds to the location of injury it will tend to relieve pain. If the pressure is correct and long enough it will produce a condition of anaesthesia. This is what led to the discovery of zone analgesia. Fitzgerald also emphasised that it made a difference whether the upper, lower or side surfaces of the joint were pressed. He stated that this pressure therapy had a great advantage over any other method of pain relief because this zone pressure not only relieved the pain, it also removed the cause of pain, no matter where it originated from.