Benefits of Reflexology in the Care of Older People

It is important to know that the process of aging does not always have to be a negative decline and that the aging body still has an extensive scope for transformation and healing given the right stimulus. With reflexology, the hands and feet are gently stimulated to trigger a self-healing response in specific parts of the body. Reflexology is being utilized more in elderly care facilities and by seniors who want to preserve their health as they get older.

Because reflexology aids circulation, normalizes body functions and can help detoxification, it is becoming a more acceptable modality for older people. Other than footwear, the outer clothing does not need to be removed and the execution can be easily exercised while sitting or reclining position and in many different locations: in bed, in wheelchairs or sofa and simple self-help hand exercises can also be taught to be used anywhere.

Many elderly people take a number of prescription medicines and therefore welcome supplementary therapies as a means of achieving some measure of health without experiencing side effects. It is also empowering to show an elderly person simple self-help reflexology on their hands that they can apply at any time to help alleviate specific arthritic pain in their shoulder, for example, rub their left palm to ease indigestion or help to bring about deep relaxing sleep at night with a hand rocking technique.

Touch is a powerful force in nearly all therapies, and for some isolated or lonely older people, the gentle relaxing sensation that reflexology achieves is the one time they can be treated holistically as the whole body is treated each time and all ailments, large or small, can be addressed. Emotional issues often surface due to the treatment itself, relaxing the person or because the client knows their confidentiality is respected.

It is important to register that the process of aging does not always have to be a negative decline, and that the body still has many resources to implement some regeneration, giving a multi-faceted approach to their nursing care.