If you are someone who enjoys an active, healthy lifestyle, chances are when you experience neck pain you may not want to take pain relievers that could have negative side effects.

You might be interested in a completely natural, holistic approach to relieving your neck pain so that you can get back to your life with full range of motion. Reflexology is a natural approach to relieving stress, muscle tension and improving circulation, which frees the body's resources to heal itself.

What is Reflexology? -

Reflexology is a health care approach that follows the principle that there are pressure points in the hands and feet that correspond to specific organs, glands and organ systems in the rest of the body. Using the fingers to apply pressure to those specific points stimulates the reflexes.

How does Reflexology help Relieve Neck Pain? -

When pressure is applied to the specific pressure points on the hands and feet that correspond with the neck and head, reflexology controls the body's perception of pain releasing endorphins from the pituitary gland, which are the body's natural pain killers.

A single finger or the thumb is used to locate the tender spot in the specific pressure point. Applying steady pressure to this spot can relieve the pain in the neck. A finger can also be used to apply pressure to points found on the hand to relieve tight muscles in the neck and shoulder area resolving the neck pain.

Which Reflexology Points Relieve Neck Pain? -

When we have a stiff neck or neck pain, blockages occur within the neck reflex points on our hands, feet and ears. Te relieve the pain in the neck, you must remove that blockage in the reflexes in the hands, feet and ears. Once the normal flow of energy and nerve impulses is restored, the body can be brought back into balance and begin to heal itself.

Reflexology points for neck pain on the feet include:

" The inside edge of the feet

" The right side of the foot corresponds to the right side of the spine and the left side of the foot corresponds to the left side of the spine.

" The edge of the foot near the big toe corresponds to the cervical spine, which is the seven vertebrae in the neck.

" The base of the toes on the top and bottom of the feet corresponds to the neck and head.

Place your index finger on the pressure point and exert steady pressure.

The 'Golf Ball' technique, developed by Barbara and Kevin Kunz, teaches a simple self-help reflexology technique that relieves a variety of ailments including neck pain:

Hold a golf ball in your hands while clasping your interlinked fingers together. Roll the ball over the palms of your hands. Focus on the palm of the hand below the thumb for headaches, and the heel of the hand for digestive problems.

Can I do Reflexology on Myself? -

Seek the guidance of your chiropractor, acupuncturist or another health professional before trying reflexology on yourself on your own. There are certain conditions such as pregnancy where you must be careful about which pressure points to use.

There is a free, colorful Reflexology map available at:

http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/cs/uk/11/features/reflexology/extract.html