Your nervous system is your body's control and communication centre. It’s a vast network of the brain, spinal cord, and sensory organs, all connected by an intricate web of nerves that allows every part of your body to talk to one another.
To truly appreciate its structure, Anne Hilarius-Ford from Energy Reflexology likens a neuron (the fundamental cell of the nervous system) to a tree.
- The neuron is the tree itself.
- The soma (cell body) is the canopy.
- The dendrites are the branches.
- The axon is the tree trunk.
- The terminal buttons are the roots.
These neurons are specialised to transmit messages throughout your entire body, enabling you to react, feel, and control your movements.
The Body's Chemical Messengers: Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that allow neurons to communicate with each other. They can either excite or inhibit signals between cells, making them the "key" that unlocks a specific response.
When this communication is balanced and working efficiently, your body can function at its best, which is essential for your physical and psychological well-being. These messengers are affected by everything from diet and stress to disease and drugs.
How Reflexology Influences Your Nervous System
Your feet are incredibly sensitive. With over 7,000 nerve endings, they constantly communicate with your central nervous system. This is where reflexology can have a profound impact.
Many theories exist on how it works, but one of the most powerful effects is a calming message sent from the peripheral nerves in the feet to the central nervous system. This helps shift your body from the "fight or flight" stress response to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for "rest and digest."
When this system is engaged, you can experience:
- Improved digestion, respiration, and circulation
- Enhanced healing, immunity, and repair
- A more profound sense of relaxation
- Improved creative thinking and problem-solving
The Role of Nutrition and a Healthy Lifestyle
We now know that your mood, concentration, and behaviour are deeply linked to the health of your nervous system. When you are stressed, your neurotransmitters can become depleted. Reflexology helps promote deep relaxation, supporting your body’s natural regulation processes.
Nutrition also plays a vital role in the synthesis of these neurotransmitters. A healthy diet can support your brain health and help your body process stress more effectively.
A professional reflexologist can help promote balance in your body. They may also offer advice on lifestyle and nutrition to support your overall health. There is much more to learn about the nervous system, and these sources below provide a great starting point for further reading.
Sources
- Hilarius-Ford, A. Energy Reflexology. Reflexology and neural pathways. 2013/04/08.
- Bridgewater Community Healthcare. Podiatry foot facts.
- Cherry, K. Identifying a neurotransmitter.
- Wurtman, RJ. Food consumption, neurotransmitter synthesis and human behaviour (abstract).
- Minich, D. Eating for your neurotransmitters. 2018/10/11.