Reflexology
History...
What
happens in a treatment...
How
reflexology may help...
History..
Massage to the feet as an
aid to relaxation or a method of healing, has been used for many thousands of
years. From ancient texts and illustrations, it has been found that the ancient
Chinese, Indians and Egyptians all used some form of foot therapy.
In the early part of the
20th Century, Dr William Fitzgerald, an American ENT specialist,
discovered that by pressing on one part of the body, another area would be
anaesthetised. He later performed minor surgery using this technique. From what
he understood by his research, he divided the body into 10 longitudinal zones,
working on the principle that pressure on an area within a particular zone would
have a direct influence on all the tissues and organs lying within that same
zone. He drew an imaginary line up the centre of the body with five divisions to
the left, and five to the right of this line. These divisions, or zones, are
divided by each of the toes or fingers. For example if the big toe was zone one
and we drew a line from there all the way up the body to the head, manipulation
or pressure on the big toe would affect all those areas that fell within zone
one throughout the whole body.
One of Fitzgerald's
colleagues Dr Edwin Bowers attempted to bring zone therapy to the
attention of the medical profession and general public in 1915. After writing an
article 'To stop that toothache, squeeze your toe' he and Fitzgerald published a
book in 1917 'Zone Therapy'. Although many Doctors dismissed his writing, Dr
Joseph Shelby Riley and his wife Elizabeth Ann Riley became
interested and with further research used his theory in their Chiropractic
school in Washington DC. A physiotherapist in their school Eunice Ingham,
also became intrigued and after further work and research, developed foot
reflexology. Using Dr Fitzgerald's zones, Eunice Ingham charted the whole of the
body onto the feet, mirroring or reflecting the anatomical positions of the
organs and tissues onto the sole, top of the foot and ankle.
In the 1960's, Doreen
Bayly, who had studied with Eunice Ingham in America, brought reflexology to
Great Britain.
A
reflexology treatment
Reflexology uses a
combination of massage, with gentle working of specific points on the feet. The
treatment begins with a short massage of the feet to relax and loosen any
tightness and tension. This is followed by small movements over each foot using
the thumbs and finger pads. Occasionally a slight tenderness may be felt on an
area where there is a slight imbalance. By gently working this area any
blockages should disperse to allow for a free flow of energy to resume.
What
it may help with
It is considered that as
much as 75% of illness is stress related. As reflexology is a deeply relaxing,
balancing experience, this provides the optimum conditions for self healing. It
may help with anxiety, tension, insomnia, digestive disturbances, fluid
retention, sinus congestion, respiratory disorders, PMT and IBS.
It is not necessary for
you to be feeling unwell to enjoy the benefits of reflexology. Whatever your
condition you can expect to be left with a reassuring feeling of tranquillity
and well-being, making this treatment an uplifting experience for anyone.
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