A good night's sleep is important for you to function appropriately in your job, relationships and all other areas of your life. If you've tried other sleep-inducing methods that haven't worked for you, give reflexology a chance.

Reflexology is the study of how reflex points on the hands and feet can help reduce stress on other areas of the body that might be causing pain, sleeplessness and other problems. Reflexology stimulates the body so that it takes care of it's own healing process.

In reflexology treatments, pressure is applied by the thumb and other finger pressure to certain reflex areas on the patient's hands and feet. According to reflexologists, this stimulation causes misplaced energy to rebalance itself and help the associated body parts to heal.

Both of the feet, when placed together are said to form a sort of map of the body. Each portion of the feet represents certain parts of the body. For example, the toes control the head and neck, the lateral edge of the feet control functions in the lower limbs and the ball of the foot controls some organs. A reflexologist who knows the mapping of the body can attain dramatic relaxation of the body by manipulating the hands and feet.

There are many books and online help that teach how to perform reflexology, but even a simple massage of the feet can increase circulation. Increasing circulation in the feet helps other parts of the body receive more oxygen and also helps to eliminate metabolic waste products that may inhibit sleep patterns.

Another important part of reflexology treatments that helps to treat insomnia is that they relieve tension and stress by total relaxation of the body. As the reflexologist works on the feet, the patient can begin to relax immediately and feel a sense of well-being and energy surging through the body.

Reflexology advocates that healing begins from the inside and radiates outward. If you've been taking prescription medication that masked symptoms, you may experience a brief return of the symptoms while taking reflexology treatments.

Those who practice the science of reflexology base their beliefs on both physical and neurological studies and that the success of reflexology depends a great deal on the bond and level of commitment between the patient and the therapist.

Don't engage in reflexology treatments without consulting a health professional if you're pregnant, have seizures, diabetes or are receiving other types of medical treatment.