Reflexology is a bodywork technique that is used for encouraging the body to heal itself through the stimulation of points on the feet that correspond to major organs, glands, and other body parts.

By pressing these points, it is possible to relax tense muscles, improve digestion and elimination, relieve headaches, and improve overall body function. 

Reflexology can be used to assist with emotional problems, and it provides the recipient with feedback about how negative emotions are being stored in the body so that they can be released.   Emotional Reflexology sessions may include abdominal work if the client is interested in this unique and effective variety of reflexology.

 

Where is Reflexology Done on the Body?

Reflexology is generally done on the feet where the most points are found, but it can also be done on the hands, ear (auriculotherapy), and face.  In longer reflexology sessions, the hands, ear, and face may be worked in addition to the feet.  These alternate reflex areas are often used when it is not possible to work on the feet due to injury/infection, etc.

 

When and Where Was Reflexology Developed?

There is written evidence of reflexology existing around the world from as far back as ancient times.  The Chinese, Indians, Russians, Japanese, and Chinese all believed that reflexology was an effective way to promote good health.

There is evidence that reflexology was used throughout the Roman Empire and was practiced by the Incas of South America and the Cherokee of North America.  In China, reflexology was practiced alongside acupuncture as far back as at least the 4^th century.

Western Reflexology has its origins in a number of ancient civilizations including Ancient Egypt as far back as 2330 BCE. Paintings found in the Physician’s Tomb in Saqqara depict the practice of reflexology.

 

What Is Western Reflexology?

Western Reflexology that we know today stemmed from research and documentation by three individuals in the early 20^th century:  Dr. William H. Fitzgerald, Dr. Shelby Riley, and Eunice D. Ingham. 

Although Drs. Fitzgerald and Riley started the movement known as “Zone Therapy,” it was Eunice Ingham whose tireless research mapping the reflexes for the organs, functions, and structures of the body and subsequent documentation of those findings that led to the development of Western Reflexology.

Today, reflexology is practiced worldwide and can frequently be found as adjunct therapies to standard Western medicine.  Reflexologists work in hospitals, chiropractic offices, alongside naturopaths, and in private practice.  Regional and national organizations such as the Reflexology Association of America (http://reflexology-usa.org) have come into existence to help standardize training for reflexologists and educate the public about the benefits of reflexology.  To that end, they have also created a formal definition of the practice:

“Reflexology is a protocol of manual techniques, such as thumb and finger-walking, hook and backup and rotating-on-a-point, applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands. These techniques stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems, supporting the body’s efforts to function optimally.

The effectiveness of reflexology is recognized worldwide by various national health institutions and the public at large as a distinct complementary practice within the holistic health field. (Reflexology Association of America 2016)” 

 

I’m Not Sure about Reflexology.  Where can I find research about it?

Most people who are just learning about reflexology have a number of questions about its legitimacy.  How can the whole body possibly be affected by working the feet, after all?  It does sound a bit far-fetched to folks who have never experienced it.

To be fair, as a practitioner who now has over 100 hours of training in the discipline, to say that I was “a bit skeptical” would be a tremendous understatement.  I thought it was complete and utter “hocus-pocus,” and it took a lot of convincing to change my mind.

Fortunately, there is a great deal of research on the effects of reflexology and it is available online.  One of the best resources for reflexology research is The Reflexology Research Project (http://www.reflexology-research.com).

Although the concept of reflexology may sound a bit unusual, it is frequently used as an effective adjunct therapy in hospitals for patients with everything from cancer to post-operative pain.

 

Is Reflexology a Foot Massage?

Although reflexology involves techniques that may feel much like massage to the recipient, it is not a form of massage.  Reflexology is a very directed approach to stimulating reflex points on the feet, hands, ears, and face with the intent of restoring balance to the body. 

By contrast, massage focuses on easing tension in muscles and fascia as well as improving range of motion in joints that have lost mobility.  Both reflexology and massage do wonders to assist the body in healing and well-being, but they are two very distinctly different disciplines.

 

What are the Pressure and Techniques Used in Reflexology?

Reflexology is generally a calming technique that puts people into a state of deep relaxation.  That being said, reflexologists almost always find areas of sensitivity in the foot and will work intentionally on these areas in order to alleviate the soreness. 

Working sensitive areas may be a bit uncomfortable, but the pressure is always kept within the tolerance of the client.  While it seems a bit counterintuitive to press more on something that is already sensitive, it is important to work these areas because they correspond to the parts of the body that are not working optimally. 

By working through the soreness, signals are relayed through the body to the brain to bring attention to that area and restore balance.  Most people report that they feel much better following a reflexology session even if they have experienced a bit of minor discomfort during the session.

 

Why Reflexology Works

Reflexology is an effective method for improving health that stimulates nerves throughout the body and brings it into a state of balance.  As a modality that is practiced worldwide, reflexology has been shown to benefit all systems of the body such as the digestive system (by encouraging proper elimination), the endocrine system, the musculoskeletal system, and so on.

Physical and emotional conditions commonly show up in the feet physically.  For example, someone who has had a hysterectomy may have a deep indentation at the reflex point for the uterus or someone with an active bladder infection may have a red and puffy area of the foot at the bladder reflex point.  Likewise, people with thyroid conditions often have hard knot-like structures in the foot at the thyroid reflex point.

As a still very skeptical student, it was these particular findings that really caught my attention.  While a practitioner can’t feel a bump on the thyroid area and determine that someone might have thyroid cancer or hypothyroidism, they can tell that there is something going on in that region of the body and can bring it to the client’s attention so that they can follow-up with a qualified medical professional.

 

What Reflexologists Can and Cannot Do

As was just stated, while it is often possible to see physical or emotional conditions represented in the feet, reflexologists are not doctors and cannot diagnose a condition.  For example, if someone has reflex points in the colon that indicate that something is going on there, it could be anything from diverticulosis to diarrhea to constipation to a food intolerance to any other number of things. 

The job of the reflexologist is to identify points on the foot that appear to need work and to work those areas.  The reflexologist may mention to the client that an area seems to be in need of attention and ask if there are any known problems, but this is in no way a form of diagnosis.  It is merely providing the client with feedback about what is showing up in their feet.  Oftentimes clients are aware of the condition and can elaborate which helps the reflexologist know what other areas of the feet may need work. 

For example, if the reflexologist finds tightness in the area of the foot related to the cervical spine (in the neck), the reflexologist may ask the client if he or she has had any neck problems.  The client, in turn, may respond that they had a car accident a year prior in which they got whiplash.  Armed with this knowledge, the reflexologist can then address not only the cervical spine, but the musculature of the neck, shoulders, back, and chest that may contribute to on-going discomfort associated with the condition.

Another reason why reflexologists cannot diagnose a condition is that oftentimes the issue that is showing up in the foot isn’t physical – it’s emotional.  One example of this might be that a client is experiencing tenderness throughout the urinary system.  There may be nothing physically wrong with the urinary system, rather, it may indicate that the client is holding onto toxic emotions. 

According to observations of many reflexologists, clients who show such symptoms in the urinary tract but do not let go of those emotions may be prone to eventual bladder infections.  Emotional reflexology work can help to release these toxic emotions and help return the client’s body to a more relaxed and healthy state.

 

What Conditions Can be Treated with Reflexology?  

Who Should Get a Reflexology Session?

 

Reflexology should not be viewed as a “treatment” for a condition.  Rather, it is a wonderful way to maintain health and wellness by bringing awareness and balance to the body so that it can be functioning at the most optimal level possible. 

You do not need to be suffering from a condition to get reflexology done.  It can be part of a normal routine of taking care of your body.

If you are experiencing a health condition, reflexology can be a beneficial adjunct therapy for most physical and emotional issues, including: