Introduction to Reflexology - Which therapy?

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Reflexology is a complementary therapy which works on the feet or hands and takes place in a comfortable reclining chair in a calm treatment room.

​Every part of the feet (or hands) corresponds to a specific part of the body and during a treatment, the whole body receives healing. Reflexology is suitable for all ages although younger children and the elderly generally have shorter treatments.

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The art of Reflexology dates back to ancient Egypt (2500BC) where there is pictorial evidence of practitioners working on the hands and feet of people.

It was not until 1913 that Dr. William Fitzgerald introduced Reflexology to the Western world, as ‘Zone Therapy’. He mapped out 10 longitudinal zones on the body and believed that reflex areas on the feet and hands were linked to other areas and organs of the body. In the 1930s, Eunice Ingham developed reflex techniques and further developed ‘Zone Therapy’ into what is today known as Reflexology.

Reflexology is a complementary therapy which works on the feet or hands and takes place in a comfortable reclining chair in a calm treatment room.

The therapist will generally wipe the feet then use either powder or cream during the session. The treatment typically lasts for 45mins-1hour and involves massage and stimulation of specific areas of the feet known as the reflex areas to help create balance in the body and encourage the healing process.

Every part of the feet (or hands) corresponds to a specific part of the body and during a treatment, the whole body receives healing. Reflexology is suitable for all ages although younger children and the elderly generally have shorter treatments.

During a Reflexology session, specific reflex areas corresponding to parts of the body can be worked. For example, working on the base of the big toe works the ‘head’ reflex and can help reduce headaches and also encourage the pituitary gland to balance any contributing hormones. Working on the pads of the small toes can assist with balancing and clearing sinuses whilst working on the bone below the smallest toe may reduce tension and pain in the shoulders. There are also reflex points for the adrenal glands which can be worked on for stress relief and points for the solar plexus region to aid relaxation.

It has been scientifically proven that symptoms of stress and depression can be reduced by nurturing and the power of touch alone can regulate the natural chemicals (hormones) in our body to reduce stress and depression. With the power of touch being so effective, Reflexology can be of enormous benefit due to the experience of touch itself and the holistic nature of the treatment which means the whole body is treated and feels the benefits.

A full treatment may also help to release trapped emotions: When emotions are expressed then released, our energy pathways are flowing freely but when they are repressed (possibly with drugs) the energy pathways become blocked. Blocked emotions released through touch or healing enabling our energy pathways to flow freely again enhancing a feeling of wellbeing.
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Lisa Elmore BSc MAR.