THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reflexology, an alternative medical practice, is slowly gaining foothold in the state. Reflexology, which works somewhat parallel to acupressure, has began making strides in the medical field, offering remedy to a wide array of diseases, including those that arise out of lifestyle changes. This modern medical practice, which has its roots in ancient Indian and Egyptian texts, works on the principle that pressure points in feet and hands correspond with vital organs and the disease that has affected those organs can be cured by applying pressure at these respective points. According to experts, diseases occur due to obstruction of flow of ‘qi’ - vital energy in the body. So, applying pressure at the right point helps in maintaining proper flow of vital energy, thereby reviving the health of the patient. Sreekantan Nair, a practitioner of reflexology at Vanchiyoor, said that the system has been slowly, yet steadily, winning the trust of the public in treating the diseases. ‘’The diseases occur if the energy-flowing meridians get disrupted. Each point in the feet and hand corresponds with a particular organ/body part. So, pressurising and stretching of the points increases blood circulation, thereby enhancing the flow of vital energy,’’ according to him. Sreekantan Nair claimed reflexology is effective in treating in all diseases. ”Be it arthritis, spondylitis or any other grave disease, reflexology is effective in treating them. Now the system has clearly picked up momentum in the city,” he said. But he also feels a lot has to be done to popularise the system. “People still draw an analogy between reflexology and acupressure. Though applying pressure is quintessential to both the systems, they are totally different. Acupressure pertains to stimulating the pressure points located at various parts of the body, while reflexology dwells on those points in the feet and hands,” he said. In addition to curing lifestyle diseases, reflexology has also been found effective in treating sports injuries. A seminar on the role of reflexology in combating sports injuries was recently held at LNCPE, Kariavattom, where Dr Krishna Dalal of the Department of Biophysics, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, stressed on the importance of incorporating the system into conventional modes in treating sports injuries. Pradip Dutta, senior faculty at LNCPE and the current physical trainer of Indian football team, also echoed the same view and added that fresh research should be made in the field of sports medicine. ”Alternative medical system can also come handy in treating sports injuries,” he said.
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