What is Reflexology? How can treating the feet help improve health?



reflexology



Reflexology can be defined as a science that works on the principle that there are areas of the feet, known as reflex areas, that correspond to all of the body's organs, glands and other parts of the body. It can also be known as meridian therapy. Reflexologists spend a long time in training, to ensure that they are familiar with anatomy and physiology, and are able to interpret the connection between the feet and the organs and glands of the body during treatments.

The treatment involves a therapist manipulating the feet using a thumb and finger technique on these reflex areas to bring about relief for symptoms of stress and tension, to improve blood supply and therefore improving general health, and to help the body achieve homeostasis (balance). It is often mistakenly referred to as a foot massage, but in fact it is not a massage, but rather a special technique using a thumb and finger action. Reflexology is an increasingly popular complementary therapy. Reflexology training is widely available nowadays, but it is wise to seek out a well-respected body to do reflexology training with, and I would recommend learning the Ingham method of reflexology. Reflexology is a totally natural healing therapy that is becoming hugely popular these days.

It is used to help the body achieve homeostasis - a Greek word meaning 'balance' or 'state of equilibrium', no matter what the external circumstances may be. In other words, when our bodies are running well, and being kept in optimum health, outside influences cannot affect us so deeply.

Reflexology is based on Zone Theory. What is it?

The reflexes of the feet are linked to the glands and organs in the body. The zones are the 'wiring', and the feet are connected to this wiring. If you can imagine, a series of imaginary lines going from the top of the head down to the toes, with five vertical lines down each side of the body. There are ten zones in total (an easy way to remember this: one for each toe!). The book 'Better Health with Reflexology' describes zones in this way - imagine a cake baked in the shape of a gingerbread man. When the cake is sliced from top to bottom, each slice represents a zone. Everything that is in that slice belongs to that zone.

The above book, written by Dwight Byers, goes into deep detail about the principles and theories of Reflexology, and describes how his aunt Eunice Ingham became acknowledged as the founder of Foot Reflexology. I find the Ingham Method described in the book to be detailed and extremely helpful and would thoroughly recommend it to students.

Each zone contains an organ or gland and this organ or gland can be found in the relevant reflex of the foot. A reflexologist will be familiar with the zones and the glands and organs within it.

Therefore, any sensitivity on the foot, will relate to an area of blockage within the body where there might be a problem building. Hand reflexology is another complementary therapy, and is used in the same way as foot reflexology, only working on the hands. (obviously!)

It is therefore important to respect the health of our bodies and listen to and act of any signal that might indicate a problem.

Approximately 75% of today's diseases are thought to be due to stress and tension, so what can reflexology do to help?

Go to Reflexology Treatments In reflexology, there are certain terms that are used and are described in more detail below:

  • Crystal deposits are found in the feet being worked upon around certain reflexes. These crystal deposits can be felt easily by the finger and thumb and feel like little grains of salt. When these deposits are found, the reflexologist should proceed carefully as the corresponding area in the body can be more sensitive than other areas. Most commonly the shoulder reflex and neck reflex are 'gritty'.

  • Diaphragm - this is a rather thin muscle at the base of the lungs and is also the top of the abdomen. On the feet, as can be seen on a foot chart, such as the one here, the diaphragm area is found at the base of the metatarsals where the foot colour changes.

    reflexology foot chart

  • Leverage is a word come across often. A reflexologist obtains leverage by using the fingers in opposition to the working thumb, or using the thumb in opposition to the working fingers, enabling strength for smooth contact.

  • The outside of the foot is also known as the lateral side of the foot (the little toe side!).

  • The inside of the foot is known as the medial side of the foot (or the big toe side!!)

  • Cuboid Notch is found by running your finger down the lateral side of the foot until you reach the low spot. This is the soft hollow just below the waistline of the foot.

  • Criss-Cross Motion - this is when you work the foot in several directions, with one hand then the other hand. This ensures that the whole area is worked properly.

  • Pin pointing technique - this technique is used when a reflexologist wants to reach a particulary small reflex such as the pituitary gland and sigmoid flexure.

  • 7th cervical reflex - found at the base of the big toeon the inside where the toe is joined to the foot. This reflex relates to the back of the neck - the bony protrusion that can be felt at the base of the neck.

  • Solar plexus is located in the diaphragm. It is part of the nervous system, and contains many nerves and nerve networks. On the foot, the solar plexus is to be found on the diaphragm line between the big toe and second toe.

  • Tendon this can be found on the bottom of the foot when the big toe is pulled back.





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