Reflexology for Asthma

Whilst reflexology does not claim to diagnose, treat or cure a disorder, it is thought that some disorders, such as these, have been shown (through mainly anecdotal evidence due to limited investment in scientific research) to respond well to reflexology.

 

Respiratory disease is the second biggest cause of death in the UK. It can cause respiratory failure, which is defines as low oxygenation (hypoxia) and high carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia) in the systemic circulation. Asthma is a common respiratory disease affecting 5-10% of the population and appears to be on the increase. It causes variable degrees of breathlessness or wheezing due to widespread narrowing of the airways. The narrowing is caused by an increased responsiveness of the trachea and bronchi to various stimuli.

 

Respiratory System
Respiration provides oxygen to the blood stream. All body cells need oxygen to live and function properly. Without oxygen body cells start dying within minutes.

 

Therapeutic effects of reflexology on the respiratory system
• Releases muscular tension: directly affects diaphragm, solar plexus and intercostals muscles.
• Releases emotional tension: directly benefits the respiratory system.
• Deepens breathing, improving gaseous exchange, which in turn will improve intake & distribution of nourishment and elimination of waste.
• Harmonises the rhythmical contraction and expansion of respiration: improves flow of vital energy through zones, reflexes and other energy pathways.
• Break down of deposits in the feet and the stimulation of reflexology decongests energy pathways allowing the respiratory system to work optimally (as it does for all systems).

 

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.

When a person with asthma comes into contact with something that irritates their airways (an asthma trigger), the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower and the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell. Sometimes sticky mucus or phlegm builds up which can further narrow the airways.

All these reactions cause the airways to become narrower and irritated - making it difficult to breath and leading to symptoms of asthma.

 

5.4m people in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma.
1.1m children in the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma.
There is a person with asthma in one in five households in the UK.

 

It is difficult to say for sure what causes asthma. What we do know is that:

• you are more likely to develop asthma if you have a family history of asthma, eczema or allergies
• it is likely that this family history combined with certain environmental factors influences whether or not someone develops asthma
• many aspects of modern lifestyles – such as changes in housing and diet and a more hygienic environment – may have contributed to the rise in asthma over the last few decades
• research has shown that smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of a child developing asthma
• children whose parents smoke are more likely to develop asthma
• environmental pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and may play a part in causing some asthma
• adult onset asthma may develop after a viral infection
• irritants found in the workplace may lead to a person developing asthma (occupational asthma).

 

The usual symptoms of asthma are:

 

• coughing
• wheezing
• shortness of breath
• tightness in the chest.

 

Not everyone will get all of these symptoms. Some people experience them from time to time; a few people may experience these symptoms all the time.