Aromachology or Arochology - Do you know the difference? A simple definition; aromachology is the study of aromas while Arochology is the study of ultimate health taking into account the benefits of the different alternative and complimentary therapies to man. However, a more accurate, acceptable and encompassing definition is therefore needed.
The field of Arochology that is very similar to Reflexology is a technique named Reflex Stimulation. One can excel in sport by developing the body's reflexes.
A reflex action, also known as a reflex, is an involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus. In most contexts, in particular those involving humans, reflex actions are mediated via the reflex arc; this is not always true in other animals, nor does it apply to casual uses of the term 'reflex'.
In Baby and Infant Massage we concentrate on the reflexes usually only observed in human infants. Newborn babies have a number of reflexes which are not seen in adults, referred to as primitive reflexes. These include:
- Grasp reflex
- Hand-to-mouth reflex
- Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex
- Rooting reflex
- Sucking
- Symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR)
-
Tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR)
The field of Arochology which links with Acupressure is the study of Reflex Stimulation and the use of pressure on specific parts of the body e.g. hands and feet.
This technique is very helpful to treat substance abuse and drug addiction such as drugs, alcohol and smoking.
Arochology cannot be defined as one function, because of the many fields of study.
Referring back to substance abuse and drug addiction, a combination of techniques are used in any one treatment, such as lymphatic drainage, detoxification, psycho analysis, etc.
Another field of study is derived from Psychology. The candidate who wishes to be free from drug addiction is taught a method of thinking similar to subliminal thinking. This is particularly useful in the forming of new thinking patterns for behaviour modification.
Arochology is a multi-disciplined profession in which a variety of skin and body conditions are treated in a holistic and health-related manner. Such as in Somatology, a holistic approach is the cornerstone of all treatments, where all aspects of the individual are taken into consideration, i.e. the body, the mind and emotions.
It encompasses basic and advanced skin and body care, various massage techniques , as well as aromatherapy, reflexology and manual lymph drainage.
The stretch reflexes (often called deep tendon reflexes, though not to be confused with Golgi tendon reflexes) provide information on the integrity of the central and peripheral nervous system. Generally, decreased reflexes indicate a peripheral problem, and lively or exaggerated reflexes a central one.
- Biceps reflex
- Brachioradialis reflex
- Extensor digitorum reflex
- Triceps reflex
- Patellar reflex or knee-jerk reflex
- Ankle jerk reflex (Achilles reflex)
- Plantar reflex or Babinski reflex
While the reflexes above are stimulated mechanically, the term H-reflex refers to the analogous reflex stimulated electrically, and Tonic vibration reflex for those stimulated by vibration.
Reflexes involving cranial nerves are Pupillary light reflex, Accommodation reflex, Jaw jerk reflex, Corneal reflex (also known as the blink reflex), Vestibulo-ocular reflex and Gag reflex
Other reflexes found in the central nervous system include:
- Abdominal reflexes
- Anocutaneous reflex
- Cremasteric reflex
- Mammalian diving reflex
- Muscular defense
- Scratch reflex
- Startle reflex
- Withdrawal reflex
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Crossed extensor reflex
Many of these reflexes are quite complex requiring a number of synapses in a number of different nuclei in the CNS (e.g., the escape reflex). Others of these involve just a couple of synapses to function (eg., the withdrawal reflex). Processes such as breathing, digestion, and the maintenance of the heartbeat can also be regarded as reflex actions, according to some definitions of the term.
Automatic behavior, or self-acting, is the spontaneous production of often purposeless verbal or motor behavior without conscious self-control or self-censorship. This condition can be observed in a variety of contexts, including schizophrenia, psychogenic fugue, epilepsy (in complex partial seizures and Jacksonian seizures), narcolepsy or in response to a traumatic event. The individual does not recall the behavior. According to the book 'The Mind Machine' by Colin Blakemore, hypoglycemia usually leads quickly to unconsciousness, but as blood glucose level falls, there is 'a window of experience between sanity and coma in which self-control is lost', and the body 'behaves on its own'.
Automatic behavior can also be exhibited whilst in the REM state ─subjects can hold conversations, sit up and even open their eyes. Those acts are considered sub-conscious as most of the time the events cannot be recalled by the subject. It is most common when the subject has had under 10 hours sleep within a 36 hour period.
