| Issue #48, March 9, 2007 |
Skin Deep
Angel Feet
by Samantha Altea
I just died and went to heaven!
After spending thirty minutes at the hands, literally, of Kaori, a reflexologist from Angel Feet in Manhattan’s west village, I did, indeed, feel as if a couple of cherub-like angels had miraculously appeared and waved their angel dust all over my tootsies. This of course has nothing to do with the cherubs hung on the rustic walls of the salon that I glimpsed every time I opened my blissful eyes during the treatment. Okay, perhaps that’s a factor, but the name of the salon certainly was fitting to my feet.
I’d been given a gift certificate for my birthday, almost a year ago now, and I suddenly realized that if I didn’t use it soon, I’d loose it. Ugh. I suppose I would have to use the darn thing and besides, I did need a story idea for my column, so I called to see if they could squeeze me in. Before I could chicken out, I had an appointment for the very same day. What a bummer! Reflexology wasn’t something that I thought of as a pleasure.
In fact, I distinctly remember a friend who was studying reflexology many years ago. She grabbed my feet to practice on and when pressing particular pressure points, caused me considerable amounts of pain. I also remember that when I squealed in agony she would grin with delight, because she knew she found something important and told me to shut up, grin and bear it, while she worked even harder, kneading away at the point on my foot that was making me hit the roof. Apparently it was supposed to make you feel better. I felt nothing other than pain. So quite honestly, I wasn’t rushing to use the gift, though I certainly appreciated the thought.
Little did I know that I’d been missing out on a tiny taste of heaven, because this latest experience with reflexology came with soothing ambience, fragrances that calmed the mind, tranquil music and a pair of hands that worked miracles. There was no pain involved, just slight pressure in certain specific points of my feet and toes, which apparently is how reflexology connects with the rest of your body, pin-pointing issues that need attention. It began with Kaori asking me if I had any health or stress problems, which I did, and then she told me to close my eyes and before I knew it, I was walking on clouds. What followed seemed to be basically a 30-minute incredibly relaxing massage. But what else was going on while my feet were being treated? What is reflexology and how does it work?
Reflexology is a method of applying pressure, stretch and movement in the form of massage to ones feet, hands and even ears. It sounds bizarre, I know, but it’s a great form of alternative therapy. By applying pressure to tight and what is known as “gritty” areas, the reflexologist believes that there are specific pressure points that correspond and connect to the rest of our bodies and by applying pressure to those areas, they will be able to stimulate the body’s own energy and self healing ability. For example, if you are feeling particularly stressed, there are certain places on the foot that almost mirror the parts of your body that are effected by stress, so in my case, this would be the neck, shoulders and back.
In fact, there’s a theory that puts forward that reflexology can “break up patterns of stress” through 7200 nerves in the feet. Who knew? None of this has been scientifically proven, but reflexology has been known as an alternative therapy since ancient Egyptian times.
There are many theories that explain exactly how reflexology works. One is that the pressure applied to specific points on the hands, feet and ears generates a signal to our peripheral nervous system, which then communicates to our central nervous system and is processed by our brain. The signals are then sent to our internal organs and are given the necessary “inner strength” in order to mend. Reflexologists also believe in something called “vital energy,” which they say can be found in every living cell in our body. If these cells are blocked, then we are sick. When touching “blocked” zones in our feet we’ll sometimes experience pain in that pressure point. (Hence, my gleeful friend.) With massage, they then believe that these zones can be broken down and as a result, overall health will increase.
Whether you believe in reflexology theories or not, it certainly something you should try. Afterall, there’s nothing you can lose. As for me, I’ll let my feet do the talking and they’re telling me to go back for another thirty minutes of bliss asap!
To experience Angel Feet firstfoot, visit www.angelfeet.com.
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