The rolling of the sole of the foot has been on everyone's lips since recognizing the importance of fascia training.
A contribution from Heike Meidinger and Peter Mulfinger
The plantar fascia is treated with fascia rolls and balls.
source: Arcus Kliniken Pforzheim
Due to the fascial connectivity within the whole body and in this case the Superficial Backline in particular, treatments of the sole of the foot are felt down to the nape of the neck.
source: Pinterest
This can easily be reproduced with the heel experiment, which takes a few minutes on the heels and then notices a noticeable improvement in the mobility of the cervical spine and extensibility of the neck muscles.
Regardless, a massage of the feet, and especially the sole, will improve blood circulation and a pleasant feeling of warmth.
In the meantime, however, another idea about the targeted treatment of the plantar fascia has found its way into fascial training. More and more, the health aspects of foot reflexology massage in connection with the training of the sole of the foot are involved.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the American physician Dr. Fitzgerald's foot reflexology massage on his travels through Asia. The physiotherapist Eunice Ingham developed a teaching method and wrote several books ("stories that the feet can tell") about it. In Germany, this massage was spread by Hanne Marquard. So you can see that the foot reflexology massage has long been known on all continents and in almost all countries.
The feet are a reflection of the human being and have a symbolic meaning for how we stand in life and go through life. In Ayurveda, they are even considered an image of the cosmos.
Dr. Fitzgerald divided his foot into different zones in which the individual organs are located. This resulted in a map of the feet whose division you can roughly orient:
Toe tip with toes: head with brain, eyes, ears, nose, teeth
Foot inner edge: spine - the cervical spine is between the big toe and the ball, the lumbar spine at the transition to the heel, the sacrum at the heel
Foot outside edge: arms, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees
Ball of foot: Here are the segments for lung, chest, heart (on the left foot), esophagus and thyroid gland
Heels: lower back and buttocks, knees, sciatic nerve
Arch of the foot: Here, individual areas are mainly associated with the internal organs (intestine, liver, bile, kidneys, bladder)
source: Hallux Schuhe
As can be seen in the figure, all organs and many areas of the body are depicted on the soles of the feet. The treatment of these issues involves a profound and fundamental regulation of the entire energetic system and an activation of the inner physician, the self-healing powers. This effect is already known from the healing methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is applied there in the form of acupuncture and acupressure. Again, it is about the harmonization of the energy system.
Foot reflexology massage can be a wonderful addition to yoga, ayurveda and wellness. Its effective areas are: well-being and relaxation, prevention, healing, relief, regeneration, spiritual attachment.
With the common disease number 1, the back pain and the resulting muscle tension, the "editing" of the corresponding areas can certainly bring relief and an improvement in the living situation. The spine is depicted on the inside of the feet as a foot reflex zone.
source: www.fussreflex.de
The effects of foot reflexology massage
- General vitalization
- Relaxation of the autonomic nervous system
- Resolution of energetic blockages
- Cleansing / Detox
- Improvement of blood circulation
- Harmonization of organ activity
- Strengthening the immune system
- pain relief
- Enthralling, relief and recovery of muscles and joints
- Physical and mental stress reduction
- Awakening a new body and self-awareness
- Stimulating the creative potential
- In addition, many specific effects can be achieved.
When working with the training equipment, two positions are recommended:
The first is the
standing position. It is the classic attitude to "edit" the plantar fascia and thus the foot reflex zones. In this position can be achieved by the body weight, the best effect. By shifting the center of gravity over the treated foot, the pressure is increased, the center of gravity moves away from the trained foot so the pressure decreases. This relationship is important for the sensation of pain. As with fascia work, pain is an indicator that should not be ignored. Even with the foot reflex massage, the principle that is so often used is: "Do not want to drive out evil with evil".
Another aspect of foot reflex massage is the angle in the joints. The straighter the line between the foot reflex zone and the place of performance (e.g., an organ), the greater the effect. The more the involved joints are angled, the more the effect diminishes. Very well, this can be illustrated with a water hose. The more the hose kinks, the less water comes out of the hose end.
By the way, in addition, the stabilizing muscles are trained by the quasi-one-legged state.
The second position is the
seated on the floor. It is especially recommended for balance complaints and great tenderness of the plantar fascia. While sitting, only part of the body weight can affect the foot reflex zones, so that the pain stimulus is lower than at full body weight. In addition, the continuation of the fascia training of the sole of the foot for reasons of time and organization is recommended after rolling the body and legs. Frequent getting up and sitting down interrupt the flow of the training session. For people with physical ailments, the fascia movements for the foot reflex massage can also be performed while sitting on a seat. Especially for older people and participants with knee, hip, spine or a cardiovascular problem, which prevents the "go to the floor", the self-massage sitting in a chair is a good alternative.
With the different training devices you can work flat and selective. The two-dimensional role simultaneously captures many foot reflex zones and therefore tends to be nonspecific, while the selective editing by circular, pressing or pumping movements allows targeted stimuli on corresponding areas of the body.
The
Bantoo Roller is suitable for a flat operation. Due to the concave surface shape, it is very easy to massage the inside of the foot and thus the foot reflex zone of the spine.
The
Actiball allows a punctual operation with circular movements. And it can easily be reached and covered the entire sole of the foot.
The
semi knobbed ball has the advantage that it can not roll away and thus a punctual and intensive massage of foot reflex zones, without the training device must be constantly under control. Very good you can work with pressing and pumping massage techniques.
With the
Bodyroll set of 2 both plantar fasciaes can be processed over a large area to save time. The different colors indicate different degrees of hardness.
With the
Semi Bodyroll the sole of the foot can be massaged through the firm support. By halving, you stand firmly on the ground and has a stable stand. The soft structure of the Semi Bodyroll allows adapting to the foot shape and thus prepares less "pain" than the fixed massagers.
With the
Bantoo set of 2 you can roll the plantar fascia of both feet at the same time and therefore have a good comparison. Due to the solid structure of the rollers, intense impulses can be exerted on the foot reflex zones.
When should foot reflexology massage not be used:
Basically, the massage is a side effect poor way to relieve pain and calming affect on discomfort, but should be dispensed with the following disorders on a massage:
- fungal infections of the foot
- injuries, fractures
- Varicose veins on the foot
- Diabetic foot syndrome
- Acute infections, vascular inflammations and tumors (as the massage activates the immune system and metabolism)
Pregnancy and childbirth
Caution should be exercised during pregnancy: contractions may be triggered by stimulating individual points or massage zones. In birth preparation, this assumption is exploited: To stimulate labor, the uterine point (between the inner malleolus and heel) can be massaged with pressure
The uterine point (between the inner malleolus and heel) can be massaged with pressure to stimulate labor.
author:
KuGiH
Heike Meidinger und Peter Mulfinger
