Reflexology or acupuncture: what to choose, differences, description

In the modern world, pills do not always inspire confidence among patients. They are perceived as urgent help to relieve symptoms. To treat and prevent diseases, people look for and find other methods and systems, which sometimes turn out to be more effective.

Such treatment systems include reflexology. China is considered the birthplace of this treatment method. Archaeological finds indicate that reflexology dates back 5,000 years. In China, health problems are treated not as a separate disease, but as a malfunction of the entire body. And during treatment they set themselves the task of balancing vital forces.

Concept and origin of reflexology

Reflexus is translated from Latin as reflected or turned back. This system affects the human body by irritating receptors in the skin, mucous membranes and tissues. In this case, there is an effect on the functional systems of the entire human body. It is not surprising that this system originated in China, where medicine does not consider a human organ as part of the body.

According to their concepts, the heart, lungs and other organs are part of an entire functional system that must be influenced in a comprehensive manner. Chinese medicine divides the human body into energy areas in which vital forces accumulate. Particular attention is paid to joints and channels of energy movement. They are called meridians. In some places they pass through the circulatory and lymphatic drainage system, which is perceived as an analogue of the substance that underlies the creation and existence of the Universe.

Chinese medicine does not consider muscles and any tissues as something separate and important. More attention is paid to processes related to metabolism and the mutual work of all organs. Reflexology treatment is based on all this knowledge and concepts.

Available to everyone

Some reflexology techniques can be performed at home. The patient himself can do them. Here are a few simple exercises, performed in a lying position:

Press your ears with your palms to your head and move them, massaging from top to bottom and bottom to top. Repeat this action 40 times. This normalizes blood pressure and strengthens teeth and blood vessels.
Move your head left and right. At the same time, press your palm to your forehead. Do it 4 times.
Press your right foot to your left foot and massage 4 times. Do the same for the sole of your right foot, using your left foot as a “masseur.”
We're riding a bike. Move your legs as if you were pedaling. 50 times forward and the same amount back.
Close your eyes and place your thumbs on your eyelids. Massage using circular movements towards your nose. This is a good prevention of glaucoma, cataracts and other vision problems. We do this 40 times.

The most important thing to understand is that the place where the pain occurs and the biologically active point that can relieve it are often different things.
That is, if you have a headache, this does not mean that in order to relieve the pain you need to influence the head. In general, reflexology begins with the study of meridians and biologically active points. To influence any organ purposefully, you need to know which areas on the surface of the skin are associated with it.

If you don’t want to delve into specialized knowledge, use ready-made collections of special exercises.

How does it work?

Reflexology - what is it? This is both a method of treatment and an awakening of the whole organism. With the help of special needles, specific points of the body are affected. With this treatment, the body mobilizes its strength and involves all systems in the fight against the problem. It has long been noted that when using reflexology, there is no need for drug treatment or the dosage of drugs is reduced.

Acupuncture allows you to activate nerve fibers using acupressure. The impulse is sent to the central nervous system. It involves the release of chemicals that can reduce pain. This method affects the circulation of energy in the human body, bringing it into harmony.

Infit therapy

Infita therapy is a method of bioresonance treatment with a pulsed electric field of low frequencies and low voltage.

This method began to be used in Russia in 1976, when the first physiotherapeutic device was designed that generated an electromagnetic field of the corresponding parameters.

Since the magnetic component is small and does not have a special therapeutic effect in this type of procedure, it is customary to talk only about the electric field, which has special characteristics: it does not have a wave character (that is, quasi-static), and is also low-frequency and has low intensity.

The currents used in this type of electrotherapy provoke the formation of weak conductivity reactions in the body tissues, which is the basis for the therapeutic effect of this technique.

When studying this method of influencing the body, its inhibitory effect on the cerebral cortex and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary system was proven, which manifests itself in a decrease in blood pressure and pulse, as well as an improvement in blood supply to the brain and cellular metabolism.

Methods of carrying out procedures

There are two types of infit therapy: contact and remote. With the contact technique, special electrodes are applied to the area of the pathological focus (or its projection), which are connected to the device. With transcranial remote exposure, treatment is carried out at some distance from the device (20-25 cm), while the patient looks at the emitter.

The therapeutic effect is due to the influence of the electric field on the autonomic nervous system through irritation of the optical apparatus.

The electric field strength with the remote technique is 1 mV/cm, and the procedure time does not exceed three minutes; with local treatment, the electric field strength is 0.1 V/cm, and the session time ranges from 3 to 20 minutes as prescribed by the doctor.

Attachments and attachments for the device

To treat diseases of the ENT organs, special headphones are attached to the device.

There are special attachments for the device designed to expand the range of indications and increase the possibilities of its use.

“Infita-T” is a prefix for discrete treatment, that is, alternating intervals of sending an electric field with pauses of a certain length. This technique is prescribed, for example, if the patient has encephalopathy.

"Infita-BP" is an attachment that generates a running pulsed low-frequency electric field. In this case, a special cuff is applied to the treatment area.

“Infita-combi” - this attachment is used when the patient has severe pain. It allows treatment both in discrete mode and with a traveling electric field.

“Infitatron” - allows you to supplement infectatherapy with phototherapy of any color range, that is, select a specific color spectrum for a specific disease.

"Infita-BIO" is a device for synchronizing the electric field with individual human rhythms, built on biological feedback mechanisms. This attachment increases the effectiveness of treatment by directly adjusting therapy parameters to the patient’s breathing rhythm and pulse. When using this device, the procedure is called chrono-infit therapy.

"Elemags" is a prefix for the treatment of diseases of the ENT organs. It consists of headphones with built-in magnets that generate a constant magnetic field, and a plate that generates a pulsed low-frequency electric field of low intensity.

“Ophtemags-1,2,3” are ophthalmic attachments, made in the form of glasses with a membrane in which there is one large or several small holes, as well as a magnetic attachment.

"Ophtemags-BP" is also an ophthalmic attachment that generates a vortex magnetic field.

There are cavity infit therapy techniques performed using rectal and vaginal electrodes, laser attachments, dental electrodes, and plates for group treatment of up to 5 people.

Indications

This procedure is useful for various diseases. However, the validity of its use in a particular patient is determined by the doctor.

General indications for infit therapy include:

Cardiology: hypertension and hypotension, coronary heart disease, VSD;
Neurology: agitation, anxiety, phobias, depression, Parkinson's disease, dementia, migraine, vascular atherosclerosis, sleep disturbance;
Pulmonology: chronic bronchitis with an asthmatic component and bronchial asthma;
Gastroenterology: biliary dyskinesia, gastritis, duodenitis, intestinal dystonia;
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: arthrosis, arthritis, osteochondrosis, paresthesia of the limbs, circulatory and lymph flow disorders;
Gynecology: adhesions, salpingo-oophoritis;
Urology: chronic prostatitis, cystitis;
Surgery: soft tissue bruises, injuries, sprains, burns, frostbite.
Cosmetology and dermatology: sluggish skin inflammatory processes, allergic manifestations, neurodermatitis, psoriasis;
Preparation for exams, competitions and other stressful situations.

Indications for "Elemags" - diseases of the hearing organs:

sensorineural hearing loss in children from three years of age and adults up to 60 years of age;
diseases of the auditory nerve;
otitis;
slowing down the processes of degeneration of the hearing organs, reducing tinnitus.

Indications for "Infita-BIO":

trophic ulcers;
allergic reactions;
psoriasis;
gastritis, duodenitis, stomach and duodenal ulcers;

Indications for "Infitatron":

allergic and purulent skin lesions, trophic ulcers, psoriasis, neurodermatitis;
burns, frostbite;
depressive states;
sensorineural hearing loss;
mental illness;
amenorrhea;
male impotence;
infertility;
Parkinson's disease;
encephalopathy;
in complex treatment of various addictions;
diseases of internal organs.

Indications for Oftemags:

thrombosis of the central retinal vein;
hemophthalmos;
hypertensive retinopathy;
corneal diseases;
dystrophic lesions of the retina.

Contraindications for infit therapy

This treatment method is not prescribed for the following conditions:

severe cachexia;
decompensation of diseases;
acute pathologies;
the presence of neoplasms in the body;
feverish conditions;
tendency to bleed;
general serious condition of the patient;
mental disorders in the acute phase;
some other conditions.

Complex treatment

It is important to remember that infita therapy is used exclusively in the complex treatment of diseases together with other methods of physiotherapy, as well as with drug support, massage, manual therapy, reflexology and other types of treatment.

The combination of physical factors enhances the therapeutic effect of each of them and speeds up the healing process.

And in conclusion, it is worth reminding patients that infita therapy, despite its simplicity, is a treatment method that, if inattentive and unaware, can be harmful to human health.

Therefore, this procedure can only be prescribed by a physiotherapist after examination, collecting anamnesis and assessing the patient’s condition, selecting individually the necessary indicator values, attachments and electrodes.

Be attentive to your health.

Lecture on the topic “Inphytatherapy”:

Source: //physiatrics.ru/1000183-infita-terapiya/

Acupuncture places

Specialists use reflexology points that have long been studied by ancient sciences. They are located on the main canals and branches, “miraculous vessels”, collaterals, muscle-tendon canals and skin areas. 12 main channels, called meridians, create the circulation of energy and blood in the human body. It starts from the lung canal and then returns there. There are a huge number of points in the human body. Their number can reach thousands.

In simple terms, pressure points are located throughout the body. Sometimes pain in one part of the body is removed by inserting a needle into a completely different part. A competent specialist has special maps of the human body with meridians marked, on which the necessary icons are placed for correctly inserting needles.

When administered correctly, the patient does not feel discomfort or pain. Although after removing the needles there may be traces of blood.

The benefits of the method for osteochondrosis

For people suffering from such a common chronic disease of the spine as osteochondrosis, the technique is valuable primarily for its analgesic function.

For patients with osteochondrosis, reflexology gives the following results:

Blood circulation in the spine area improves . This applies to intervertebral cartilage, ligaments and muscles. Which enhances the effect of anti-inflammatory drugs. Blood flow has improved - and they reach their goal faster.
The body produces natural pain relievers . We are talking about endogenous opiates. First of all, the amount of endorphins and serotonin (the so-called “happiness hormones”) increases.
Muscles are normalized . Reflexotherapy eliminates muscle spasms characteristic of osteochondrosis. This reduces pain and improves blood flow.
The production of cortisol increases . This hormone, produced by the adrenal glands, has strong anti-inflammatory properties. For problems with the spine, it will relieve pain and swelling.

The selection of treatment methods depends on the severity of the disease. Your doctor will help you choose the most effective procedures.

Advantages of the treatment system

So, you (and the doctor) have decided to use a method such as reflexology. What can this do for a person who has health problems?

Let's list some of the benefits of using this ancient system.

The result will be felt quickly.
Perfectly complements other treatment procedures.
The sessions do not cause any discomfort.
Removes pain.
There are very few contraindications for use.

Who is the use of reflexology indicated for?

The following diseases are most effectively cured:

arthritis, arthrosis;
heel spurs, bursitis, tendovaginitis;
hypertension of the first and second degrees;
bronchial asthma;
gastritis, ulcer;
cholecystitis, colitis and constipation;
headache;
vegetative-vascular dystonia;
neurosis;
osteochondrosis;
radiculitis;
hernias;
scoliosis;
cystitis;
prostatitis;
nephritis;
infertility;
adnexitis;
menopausal syndrome;
rhinitis;
neurodermatitis;
hives;
allergy;
chronic fatigue syndrome;
tobacco and alcohol addiction and other diseases.

Also, the procedure for influencing the points is recommended to alleviate the symptoms of such diseases:

nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy;
fibromyalgia;
pain during childbirth;
pain in the lower back;
pain during menstruation;
migraine;
toothache;
pain in tendons and muscles.

Preparation for the session and sensations during the procedure

Reflexotherapists do not make any special demands: for comfort, it is enough to empty your bladder before the procedure. It is important to come to your appointment an hour and a half after eating. Before a treatment session, you should not do intravenous injections or play sports.

Depending on the type of impact, the sensations are different:

tingling;
mild soreness;
warm;
mild or moderate burning sensation;
slight numbness of the area.

View a selection of effective treatment methods for deforming spondyloarthrosis of the lumbar spine.
How to remove a slouched back at home? Effective treatment options are collected in this article.
On the page https://vse-o-spine.com/bolezni/drugie/bolezn-shprengelya.html read about what Sprengel’s disease is and how to treat a congenital abnormality of the shoulder girdle.

You should immediately tell your doctor about the following symptoms:

nausea;
dizziness;
severe pain in the procedure area or other parts of the body;
increased sweating;
symptoms indicating increased blood pressure;
severe headache;
strong burning sensation.

When these signs appear, the reflexologist changes the points of influence or stops the session. If there is a sharp deterioration in the condition, then the patient must be given medications to eliminate negative symptoms.

Types of reflexology

Not many people know what methods of influencing points include reflexology. What kind of procedure this is, which can be carried out without any devices or with the help of special equipment, some people don’t even know.

Acupuncture. The points are impacted using needles. Penetration occurs through the skin.
Acupressure. The exposure is carried out without damaging the skin. Use finger force or blunt needles.
Microneedling. Small needles are left in the points for a long time.
Manual therapy. Mainly used in therapeutic massage to treat the musculoskeletal system.
Thermopuncture. Impact on the points with a smoldering wormwood cigar.
Cryopuncture. The points are exposed to cold.
Electropuncture. The needle is under tension.
Laser puncture. Laser therapy has recently become increasingly popular.
Light puncture. Infrared influence on points.
Ultrasound reflexology.
Electromagnetic puncture. Exposure to current and magnetic field in combination.
Metal therapy. The points are impacted using metal plates.
Tsubo therapy. It is carried out with balls.
Apipunktura. The dots are stung by bees.
Hirudotherapy. Leeches are placed in the required places.
Metal application (superficial acupuncture). This is the application of blunt and short needles in close proximity in large quantities.
Vacuum reflexotherapy. Vacuum cans are installed on the required areas of the body.
Pharmacopuncture. When the point is punctured, a little medicine is injected into it.
Bio-energopuncture. Used only by bioenergy therapists.
Su-Jok acupuncture. Needles are inserted only into the hands and feet
.
Auriculotherapy. Impact on points on the ears using needles.
Microcurrent reflexology. Reviews speak of its widespread use in cosmetology and medicine. It is carried out in beauty salons and is used as a rehabilitation method for children. Microcurrent reflexology is useful for swelling and excess fat. Special attention should be paid to its use in children.

How long does the course of treatment last and how likely is a positive result?

A course of reflexology always consists of 10 procedures, which are prescribed daily or every other day. If repeated treatment is required, it is completed after 4 to 6 months.

The result of acupuncture depends on the professional and competent preparation of an acupuncture prescription and the accuracy of determining the localization of acupuncture points, the technique of placing needles, as well as the experience of the therapist.

In addition to simple acupuncture, microneedling is also used. It is designed for long-term impact on certain points.

Microneedles are usually introduced after a course of classical acupuncture from 1-2 to 7 days.
This alternation continues throughout the course. Periodic pressure on the microneedles irritates the point and can, in certain diseases, prevent attacks and relapses, and also consolidate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture therapy. On average, it takes 3-4 hours to write 1 article. By sharing an article on social networks, you express gratitude to the blog authors for their work!!!

Reflexology for children

Microcurrent reflexology for children is very effective. This method is very effective in rehabilitating children with neuropsychiatric diseases. Recommendations for use are given by speech therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists and neurologists.

The effectiveness and uniqueness of the method is evidenced by the fact that it received several Russian patents. In 2007, a method for treating speech delay in children with neuropsychiatric diseases was patented; in 2008, a method for treating increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus, as well as the consequences of these diseases, was patented; in 2010 a patent was issued for a method of treating cerebral palsy.

Microcurrent reflexology for children is also recommended for mental retardation, autism, sensorineural hearing loss, incomplete optic nerve atrophy, hyperactivity, and enuresis. All procedures must be carried out by a specialist with medical education. It is very effective to conduct sessions in combination with a traditional therapeutic course.

For what neurological diseases is it used?

Reflexology in neurology is used in the treatment of many different diseases. Among them:

treatment of pain syndromes
sleep disorders
neuroses
neurological manifestations of spinal osteochondrosis (here about prevention)
treatment of consequences of traumatic brain injury
peripheral neuropathies
cerebral palsy
logoneuroses
epilepsy
parkinsonism, etc.

There are also contraindications. For example, it is contraindicated to conduct reflexology courses for tumor tumors, mental illness, individual intolerance, and also if the patient is over 80 years old.

Recognition of reflexology by medicine

In Russia, reflexology methods were not immediately accepted into medical practice. The first information about acupuncture became widely known thanks to the professor of the Medical-Surgical Academy P. A. Charukovsky. In 1845, missionary A. A. Tatarinov visited Beijing and there he learned what reflexology was. Reviews about the method were only positive; he described the practical application and results. Many scientists have been interested in the mechanism of action of acupuncture. In medical practice, the method was recognized and introduced in the mid-50s of the 20th century.

Reflexology in Moscow began to be studied at the Central Research Institute under the leadership of Professor R. A. Durinyan in 1976.

Professional training in reflexology

Since 1978, the course has been included in the postgraduate medical education program. For three months, general specialists were trained in the subject “Reflexology”. Training was also carried out in several narrow areas.

Sections for improving skills.

Application of the method for diseases of the nervous system.
Application of the method in internal diseases.
Application of the method during surgical interventions.
Application of the method in otorhinolaryngology.
Reflexology for children.
Application of the method in obstetrics.
Application of the method for skin diseases.
Application of the method in dentistry.

It was not until 1980 that the World Health Organization recognized acupuncture as a scientifically proven method. This allowed it to be widely used in medical practice.

Now, at medical academies, every physician can additionally receive knowledge through the “Reflexotherapy” program. Training is carried out at specialized departments. Only those with a higher medical education are accepted for the course.

Contraindications

A specialist of the highest category should know who can be harmed by reflexology, that this is a procedure that should not be performed on the following persons:

with the presence of benign and malignant tumors;
pregnant women;
while intoxicated;
in a state of mental overexcitation;
with serious heart and vascular diseases;
with pain, the cause of which is unclear;
with poor blood clotting;
with a pacemaker;
with obvious signs of exhaustion.

It is also necessary to remember that it may not only be useless, but also cause complications and aggravation of the existing problem.

Why EastClinic?

When you contact EastClinic, you can be sure that your treatment will be handled by experienced, highly qualified doctors. All specialists constantly improve their knowledge and skills, regularly confirming their medical skills by passing qualifying exams.

EastClinic has a powerful diagnostic base, which will allow you to most accurately establish a diagnosis and prescribe an individual treatment regimen in accordance with the results obtained. Our specialists practice an integrated approach to healing, so the result is not just getting rid of unpleasant symptoms, but eliminating the cause of the pathology and the overall health of the body.

Call and make an appointment. Take action. 8 (495) 783-52-08

How to choose a doctor?

When choosing a specialist, find out about his experience, qualifications and level of training, and check for a license. For a medical practitioner who does everything honestly and correctly, providing information will not be difficult. Also look for reviews of this doctor's work.

It is very important that sterile needles are used during the procedure. Don't be shy and ask a specialist directly about this.

Explain your problem to the doctor. A professional will hasten to ask the patient about his lifestyle, habits, pay attention to complexion and measure pulse and blood pressure. Immediately clarify how many sessions will be completed and what the cost of this course will be.

Tips from a reflexologist

Some techniques can be performed independently at home in front of a mirror, but you need to have knowledge about acupuncture and have a mirror. Active points can also be massaged anywhere. If you follow these simple recommendations, you can stop the course of many chronic diseases and avoid relapses.

Almost any disease can be prevented if you follow simple tips:

you need to get proper rest;
nutrition should be rational and balanced;
physical activity must correspond to the level of training;
walks should be daily;
you should not abandon treatment for any disease;
Self-medication has consequences.

Read also…. Radon baths: for what conditions are indicated, benefits, types of procedures and their cost

Description of the procedure

The number of procedures can range from 6 to 12. Session duration is 10-20 minutes.

Impact points are located throughout the body. Therefore, you must be prepared to remove some of your clothing. The procedure is most often carried out on a massage table. Special needles are used, their number can be from 5 to 20 pieces. After insertion, the specialist can rotate and move them. The needles are also certified and can be steel, silver, gold or platinum. During the session you need to completely relax. Not everyone can do this.

Reviews

Elena, 45 years old: I have thoracic osteochondrosis. I have to work in an office, which certainly does not allow me to hope for a quick cure or even improvement. But after I was prescribed acupuncture, I began to feel much better. And already from about the second session. About 3 months have passed since the full course ended, even a little more. And my back never bothered me.

Mikhail, 43 years old: I never believed in any methods other than those used in official medicine. But acupressure is some kind of miracle! There is no pain, and if it suddenly appears, then I already know which points to press!

Tamara, 54 years old: Acupuncture helps me for cervical osteochondrosis. At first it was very unusual to be stabbed with needles in the neck and shoulders. But now I simply cannot live without it, since my disease is quite advanced. The only downside is the price per course, since I have to attend at least 10 sessions per course.

Source

Reflexology is a technique of influencing specific points through which you can influence not only a specific area, but also the entire body. There are more than one hundred bioactive zones on the human body.

results

Today, reflexology is used to solve not only health problems, but also to improve appearance. The use of methods for losing weight and improving skin condition shows very good results. Based on the positive results obtained, many specialists are developing their own unique methods.

It is worth noting that if after several sessions no improvement is noticed, then continuing treatment with this method most likely does not make sense. The method is designed for a quick reaction of the body. But, unfortunately, it is not an ideal remedy for everyone. Of course, it is necessary to believe that acupuncture can have a positive effect on health. Otherwise there is no point in even trying. Unbelief is the biggest enemy of all endeavors.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture needles differ from ordinary needles in their rounded shape.

When talking or thinking about reflexology, people most often associate acupuncture with it. The effectiveness of this type of treatment lies in the incredibly successful elimination of pain syndrome, which is characteristic of any type of spinal osteochondrosis. Impact on certain points will contribute to:

release of a hormone such as cortisol into the blood;
improving blood microcirculation;
increasing the effectiveness of medications;
relieving inflammation;
reduction and complete elimination of pain;
normalization of muscle tone.

Most people who experience the procedure for the first time are very worried about their own sensations. Acupuncture needles differ from ordinary needles in their rounded shape.

However, slight distension at the injection site, tingling, sensation of warmth or itching is allowed. You may also experience a feeling of electric shock and slight numbness.

Video about methods of influencing acupuncture points

The session is usually canceled if the patient begins to experience:

nausea, even mild;
dizziness;
increased sweating.

However, there are also side effects, despite the safety of reflexology. Negative manifestations are associated with an uncharacteristic reaction of the body to the unprofessional actions of the person performing the procedure. Among them are:

quite severe pain when inserting the needle;
hematoma formation at the injection site;
tissue infection if untreated instruments are used.

Therefore, it is imperative to contact only professionals and avoid non-specialists in every possible way. The professional will definitely stop the procedure if the patient is in danger.

In addition, sessions are not carried out immediately after the patient has experienced physical activity or has received an intravenous injection. It is also necessary to maintain a certain interval between food intake and the therapy itself.

Acupuncture will definitely require a complete abstinence from drinking alcohol and spicy foods. Before prescribing acupuncture, be sure to notify the specialist if you are taking any medications. The result of the course will depend on how far the degeneration process has progressed in spinal osteochondrosis.