Reflexology is a healing therapy that uses zoned points on the feet, hands or ears to promote relaxation, alleviate pain, treat illness, and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself. Reflexology maps out reflex points on the hands, feet, and ears that correspond to each part of the body. Why focus on the feet and hands? Our feet and hands contain over half of all the bones in our bodies, as well as, 7200 nerve endings and 107 ligaments.

Pressure is applied to specific reflex points on the feet and hands to encourage a healing response.

A specific point of the feet and hands relates to a corresponding part of the body. Reflexology is used to aid health, encourage relaxation, prevent disease, reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Reflexology uses broad or precise pressure to specific points using fingers, thumbs and hand sequence and techniques to boost health and reduce stress.

A Typical Consultation

At a reflexology session, as opposed to a massage therapy session, the patient only removes his or her footwear. Only the feet, hands, or ears are touched during a reflexology session. A reflexology session generally lasts between 30 to 60 minutes.

During a reflexology session, firm, deep pressure and massage is slowly applied to reflex points. The most common sensation felt is tenderness.

The practitioner stimulates the reflex points all over the foot, watching carefully for any pain or tenderness. Such sore spots are area sign of crystalline deposits, which indicate an imbalance in a particular zone. Gentle massage is given to these particular areas to break down the deposits.

Clients are encouraged to drink lots of water after a session to help cleanse the body of toxins.

The Philosophy and Principles

The system of reflexology developed by Dr Fitzgerald divides the body into ten longitudinal zones running from the head to the ends of the toes and fingers.

He maintained that the zones o the left side of the body correspond to reflex points on the left side of the left hand and foot.

He believed that pressure to the one part of a zone could affect everything within that zone.

Eunice Ingham mapped those points, creating what is today known as reflexology.

Zone Therapy divides the body into ten longitudinal zones running from the top of the head to the toes, and all part of the zone are connected. Tension in one part of the zone affects every part. By manipulating points of the zone, tension is released and balance is restored within the body.

Reflexologists believe pressure applied to reflex zones on the sole of the foot “communicates” with corresponding parts of the body via the nervous system, helping them to function well. Reflex points are mapped out on the left and right soles, the toes and tip of feet, the palms and top of hands.

The Benefits of Reflexology

• Reflexology is safe and offers natural drug-free treatment.
• Reflexology can be used to speed up recovery from injury to feet and hands.
• Reflexology reduces pain.
• Reflexology helps maintain dexterity and mobility of joints.
• Reflexology is preventative and maintains health.
• Reflexology promotes relaxation.
• Reflexology is for everyone from babies to the elderly.
• Reflexology is said to work extremely well on stress-related disorders, as it brings the body back into a state of relaxation and balance.
• The main uses are for stress, tension, backache, sciatica-nerve, headache, migraine, eye strain, wounds and scar tissue, premenstrual tension and infections.