Foot Massage: History and Functions

                               

Foot massage or foot reflexology has a Chinese origin which may have dated back to more than 3,000 years ago and has been used in the prevention and cure of many health ailments. Some say foot massage dated back to ancient Egyptian times due to archaeological findings in cave drawings in Egypt.

The principle of foot massage rests in the premise that the meridian network connects all tissues, organs and cells in our body. Each organ in the body is connected to a specific reflex point on the foot through the intermediary of 300 nerves. This principle is not in congruence with western allopathic medicine. Western medicine sees the foot as a body part comprising of bones, ligaments and joints. However, foot massage is fast gaining popularity and acceptance as an alternative health treatment, and fans of foot massage believe it can cure not only colds and minor ailments, but also more serious ailments. These ailments include liver dysfunction, constipation problems, chronic headaches, skin allergies, etc.

While Western medicine promises speedy recovery of all unpleasant symptoms, foot massage therapy can be slow and gradual. Like most Oriental medical techniques, foot reflexology is a holistic treatment. It concentrates on treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms of one particular ailment.

A trained foot reflexologist can put pressure on different meridians or energy lines on the sole and side of the feet to determine the cause of illness. By using pressure to these reflex points, a foot massage is good for stimulating the activity of internal organs, and improving blood and lymph circulation. The top to bottom well being of a person can be taken care of through the foot.

Chinese medicine foot health has two characteristics: one is that anyone can practice anywhere, and the methods of pushing, rubbing and percussion are easy to grasp and non-time-consuming; the second is its scientific and instrumental nature based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and the related experience in diagnosis and treatment. 

                              脚底按摩：历史与功效

足部按摩或者足底按摩用于防治疾病在中国有着3000多年的历史。根据埃及考古发现的洞穴壁画，也有人说足部按摩可追溯至古埃及时代。

足部按摩的原理基于这样一个前提，即经络网络连接到我们的身体的所有组织、器官和细胞。体内各器官又通过300根神经线被连接到人脚上特定的反射点。这一原则与西方的对抗疗法是不一致的。西医认为，脚是包括骨头、韧带 和关节的身体的一部分。但是，足部按摩作为一种替代的保健疗法的知名度和认可度不断增强，足部按摩的爱好者相信它不仅能治感冒和其他轻微的疾病，还可治更 严重的疾病。这些疾病包括肝功能障碍、便秘、慢性头痛和皮肤过敏等。

虽然西医疗法许诺早日解除所有不愉快的症状，足部按摩疗效却是缓慢和渐进的。正如其他东方医疗技术一样，足底按摩是一个整体性的治疗。它侧重于治疗整个人，而不仅仅缓解一个特定疾病的症状。

一个训练有素的脚底感应按摩师可以挤压脚底和侧面不同的经络或能量线，以确定病因。通过对这些反射点施加压力，足部按摩可以刺激内脏的活动，并改善血液和淋巴循环。从头到脚的身体状况是可以通过脚来照顾得到的。

中医脚底养生有两个特点：其一是任何人都可以随时随地实行，按压搓和敲击的方法很容易掌握，费时不多；其二是以中医的理论和诊治经验为基础，具有科学性和可操作性。