Reflexology is the application of pressure to the soles of the feet, hands, or ears to relieve stress or pain in other parts of the body. Although there is no scientific research that proves the basic theory of reflexology, energy pathways called meridians are known to connect all parts of the body with the soles of the feet, hands, and ears – in addition, there is clinical research showing that this treatment can relieve pain, reduce anxiety and stress., relieve respiratory disorders, and improve overall physical function. Chest pain in particular, can be relieved by reducing stress or addressing problems in certain parts of the body that cause it, such as digestive problems, lung tissue, or panic attacks and depression.
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Method 1 of 3: Using Foot Reflexology
Step 1. Start by massaging the entire surface of the sole of the foot
Determining the cause of chest pain accurately may be difficult because this condition may stem from stress, lung, digestive, or heart problems. Thus, the best option is to start by massaging the entire surface of the foot and then focus on the suspected cause. This general massage has been shown to have a positive therapeutic effect.
Step 2. Loosen the soles of the feet
Lift the soles of the feet and gently twist from the ankles. Next, wipe your hands all over the soles of your feet. Do this before applying any massage oil or moisturizing lotion.
Step 3. Apply moisturizing lotion
Rub the lotion on your palms to warm them up first, then rub the back of your feet from the ankles to the tips of your toes. Do the same on the soles of the feet.
Step 4. Massage the toes first
Starting with the thumb, press gently with the knuckle of the index finger and thumb, then massage the bottom for about 30 minutes. Rotate your toes left and right, then press down toward the soles of your feet. Repeat this movement for 15 seconds on each toe. Finish by gently pressing the entire toe down toward the sole of the foot with your hand.
Step 5. Continue to the sole of the front foot
Grasp the sole of the forefoot against the part of the Achilles tendon above the heel so you can massage it steadily. Start by massaging your toes. Use your thumb or knuckle to gently press and hold for 2 seconds, or massage in a circular motion. Give massage in three different lanes, top, middle, and bottom of the forefoot. Repeat the massage on these three rows three times.
Step 6. Massage the center of the foot
Grasp the soles of the feet with both hands. Use your thumb knuckle if your thumb is tired.
- Start by pressing gently while pulling the thumb along the surface of the foot, in opposite directions, from left to right for the thumb of the right hand, and from right to left for the thumb of the left hand. Massage in three rows by pulling the thumb 5 times on each row.
- Next, press gently while pulling your thumb along the center of the foot toward the heel. Again, massage in three rows, and pull the thumbs of the right and left hands 5 times in each row.
- Massage the center of the foot by gently pressing your thumb and moving it clockwise.
Step 7. Wipe the soles of the feet clockwise
Use your thumbs together to massage the soles of your feet just above your heels in a clockwise motion.
Step 8. Massage the inner edge of the foot
Gently press and massage the inside of the sole of the foot from the thumb towards the heel in a circular motion. Give about 2 seconds to massage each point, and repeat this movement 3 times.
Step 9. Finish at the heel and the top of the foot
Wipe the sole of the foot in a circular motion using your thumb or knuckle for about 30 seconds. Next, use your thumb to gently press the top of your foot while pulling it between your toes, from your ring finger to your big toe.
Step 10. Center the massage on the area that may be causing chest pain
Now that you've massaged the entire sole of your foot, return to the area that may be causing the pain and give it a longer massage there.
Step 11. Massage the sole of the forefoot, under the toes to treat lung problems
The lung reflex points are located at the base of the toes to the base of the sole of the forefoot, where the skin color begins to change. In addition, massage also the same point on the back of the foot.
Step 12. Massage the sole of the forefoot just below the thumb to treat heart problems
According to reflexology theory, this massage should help with problems like arrhythmias.
Step 13. Concentrate on the neck reflexology point at the base of your toes to relieve acid reflux, a burning sensation in the chest, or other chest pain associated with the throat and esophagus
Step 14. Apply pressure to the reflex points of the stomach, small intestine, and gallbladder to treat gastrointestinal problems
- The gastric reflex point is located on the sole of the left foot just below the lung reflex point.
- The small intestine reflex point is located on the arch of the foot.
- The gallbladder reflex point is located on the sole of the right foot, as shown by the thumb of the right hand in the image above.
Method 2 of 3: Treating Chest Pain with Hand Reflexology
Step 1. Start by massaging your entire palm
Based on reflexology theory, this will help you relax while removing toxins from the body. In addition, general massage has also been shown to relieve pain and improve quality of life.
Step 2. Warm and relax your palms
The reflex points of the hands are deeper than similar points on the soles of the feet, so warming the palms is very important to avoid pain.
- Gently rub a massage oil or moisturizer onto your wrist with your thumb for about 30 seconds.
- Continue rubbing the tops of your palms, from the inside out for about 30 seconds.
- Turn your palms over and use your thumbs to gently massage from between your fingers towards your wrists.
- Grasp each finger and gently slide left and right by slightly rotating the knuckle joints. Slide your hand up and repeat this motion at the second and topmost knuckle joint of each finger.
- Repeat this step on the other hand.
Step 3. Give a massage on the fingers
Starting at the tip of your thumb, use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze and press gently in a circular motion for 3 to 5 seconds. Give massage on the thumb 2 times and repeat on the other finger. Do the same with the other hand.
Step 4. Give a massage on the palms
Massage downwards then upwards, sideways, and back downwards on each palm area. At each point, apply gentle, circular pressure for 3-5 seconds.
- Start with the soft pads under your fingers.
- Massage into the center of the palm.
- Massage the outer edge of your palm, from your little finger to your wrist.
- Massage the base of your palm by moving your thumb to the outer edge of your palm.
- Finish by massaging your palms from left to right and back again.
Step 5. Continue by massaging the back of the hand
Remember to apply much less pressure as the back of your hand is a very sensitive area.
- Starting at the knuckle at the base of the thumb, apply gently and in a circular motion for 3 to 5 seconds. Massage towards the wrist then sideways. Continue massaging from the knuckles to the wrists all over the back of the hand.
- Apply gentle pressure while massaging the wrist.
Step 6. Concentrate on areas that may be causing chest pain
Give this area more time to massage, applying circular pressure as you massage it point by point.
- Lung problems: focus on the soft pads just under the fingers in the palms and the same points on the backs of the hands.
- Heart problems: massage the thick part at the base of the thumb.
- Digestive problems: massage the base of the finger to the top of the knuckle to stimulate neck reflexology. Massage the center of the palm to stimulate the stomach and gallbladder. Massage the base of the palm to facilitate digestion in the small intestine.
- Stress-related problems: massage the entire fingers to stimulate the reflex points associated with the head and neck to relieve stress.
Method 3 of 3: Using Ear Reflexology
Step 1. Start by massaging the entire ear
Based on reflexology theory, this will help you relax and flush out toxins from your body. In addition, general massage has been shown to reduce pain and improve quality of life.
Step 2. Warm the ears
Rub your palms together quickly and then place them on your ears for 15 seconds. Rub your palms together again and place them on your ears for 15 seconds while bending the lobes.
Step 3. Massage the earlobe
On the ear lobe there is a point of reflection to the head. Press and pull the earlobe using your index finger and thumb for about 3 minutes. You can do this step on both ears at once.
Step 4. Stimulate the inner ear
Place your index finger in your ear and rotate it back and forth about 50 times to stimulate and relax your heart and lungs.
Step 5. Proceed to cymba conchae
This is the narrow part of the ear above the fold in the ear canal and below the cartilage fold. Move the index finger back and forth about the cymba conchae of both ears about 50 times to stimulate the digestive system.
Step 6. Continue upwards, to the triangular fossa
It is a small depression on the outer side of the cartilaginous fold which is the upper border of the cymba conchae. Press your index finger into the triangular fossa and rotate it back and forth about 50 times.
Step 7. Massage your thumb into the top outer ear
This section, known as the helix and scaphoid fossa, consists of a cartilaginous arch at the top and a cleft just below it. In this part there is a reflex point for the arm and shoulder, press it with the thumb and forefinger then rub this part repeatedly with the thumb until it feels warm.
Step 8. Stimulate the surface of the concha to cymba conchae
There is a fold of cartilage above the ear lobe. Start by gently pressing the hollow on the outside of this crease with your index finger. Next, massage along the folds of cartilage behind the ear to the cymba conchae and back again. Do this movement 30 times.
Step 9. Press the tragus of the ear using your thumb and forefinger then massage gently up and down
The tragus is a sheet of cartilage that sticks out of the ear canal. Massage this section up and down 30 times.
Step 10. Massage the back of the ear
The back of the ear is divided into two, namely the upper part which is more flexible, and the lower part which surrounds the canal and is connected to the ear lobe. Start by massaging the top of the ear using your thumb and index finger and then pulling it down 30 times. Next, gently stroke the bottom of the ear using your thumb 30 times downward.
Step 11. Concentrate on the reflex points that correspond to the area suspected of causing chest pain
Now that the entire ear is stimulated, give the problem area more time. Massage each point until you feel a warm sensation in the ear or it just feels uncomfortable.
- Heart and lung problems: massage the inside of the ear. Place your index finger into your ear and gently twist it. You can also move your finger up and down and sideways to stimulate the inside of your ear.
- Digestive problems: massage the index finger back and forth on the cymba conchae to stimulate reflex points associated with the stomach, intestines, liver, colon, spleen and gallbladder.
- Stress-related problems: rub the earlobe, then massage along the folds of cartilage that form the lower edge of the cymba conchae up to the triangular fossa. This massage will trigger head, neck, and spinal reflexes.
Warning
- Consult a GP if you experience chest pain for no apparent reason. Reflexology is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis.
- If used correctly, reflexology is very beneficial for healing, but it is not a scientific treatment so it can not be used as the only action when experiencing severe pain or pain without a clear cause.
