For the past few years I have had an awesome therapy done. I have had full body massage, reflexology, and a few other modalities performed, but nothing has compared to this. I actually heard about this from an interview with the actress, Drew Barrymore. I have had it done primarily for stress relief, but have found it has also helped with pain and allergies, I am guessing due to endorphine release and the stimulation of reflexes.
My therapist worked strictly on the soles of the feet, using a variety of techniques from finger stroking, light scratching, feathers (both ends) etc. And yes, it completely overwhelmes the senses and is extremely intense. I laugh almost continuously which oddly puts me into a parasympathetic state. I am one of those people who cannot stop thinking, even during a full body massage, but this tickling technique blocks everything completely out but the sensation. When she is finished I am completely, COMPLETELY relaxed and have even fallen asleep during the five minute cool-down. It is the most awesome massage I have ever had.

I recently showed it to another massage therapist and she said over and over, "I would never have believed it!" and later told me how it got her through a following day or two of stress. She said it was the best foot massage experience she has ever had! Anyhow, this whole technique thoroughly fascinates me. Anyone else ever heard of it? If I can explain further, or clarify, I would be happy to do so.

I know it sounds unconveentional, but I have found historical references to it. It is a form of touch, stimulates the reflexes and nerves, causes a healthy amount of laughter, and releases endorphines into the body and for me caused a natural high. I did find the following quote on a now defunk website called "Sensitivity Mapping."
"The wild, uninhibited laughter of a child, as opposed to the more cerebral laughter of an adult, can be attained by a prolonged and intense tickling of the soles of the feet. Considered torture by some, tickling itself can actually be a great way to relieve stress if the recipient can handle the stimulation and surrender to the sensation. This is easier said than done-tickling is confusing, a literal love/hate relationship, as the mind says, "yes" and the body screams, "No". Tickling can be perceived as both pleasure and pain, like an itch that cannot be scratched. It is this quandary that the body both craves and resists, sometimes simutaneously. Specifically, tickling the sensory-rich soles of the feet bring other stress relieving factors [reflexology/nerve stimulation] into play as well. Tickling and laughter are both mysterys that in years have received much deserved attention."

I am not saying this quote is a direct tie-in but it seems to lend evidence to the therapy. I am so curious to learn more but keep running into dead ends. Please HELP!

Quandry