Reflexology involves using a specific massage technique to apply pressure to the feet, hands, or ears with specific thumb, finger and hands to reflex areas found in the feet and the hands. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas which reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands. Normally it is the feet that are treated since they are usually more sensitive.
My story about Reflexology
On the first evening at college (many years ago!)I met a lady who had 12 children, a full time job and was also enrolled to do reflexology as well as Anatomy & Physiology and Swedish Body Massage.
I was amazed and thought that if she could also do reflexology with such a full life, so could I.
I enrolled with no real idea about reflexology but am now very pleased that I did.
The first week I was guinea pig for the tutor who showed us the first few trigger points which involved face and head. I went away and the next day, my gums started bleeding and didn’t stop for a fortnight!
The second week someone asked…
How does reflexology work?
Our tutor said, “Well we can’t prove how it works, but if you beat someone long enough and hard enough on their feet, you will kill them. It is regularly used as a form of torture when no other part of the body is touched.”
At the time, I saw on T.V some men who were returning from captivity and as they hobbled down the steps of the aircraft they had no shoes on. They had been beaten on their feet as torture.
I was thus convinced.
Some personal experience of Reflexology
At college, 6 weeks later and after a long day at work, I went to college feeling tired and weary. After practicing on each other I left at 9pm I drove home.
Driving along a country lane I suddenly realised I felt fantastic, alert and full of energy. I could only put it down to the course of reflexology I had received.
By that time, I had started treating a lady as a case study. Every week she felt a strange sensation in her face. I suggested she may have sinus problems. She said she didn’t suffer with sinus problems now but had many years ago. My tutor gave me some advice which I have never forgotten. “Trust your fingers”.
The fourth week I received a phone call from my case study lady. She had been off sick from work for 2 days with sinusitis. I persuaded her to come in for a treatment and a week later she came back to tell me she felt amazingly better. She hadn’t realised how congested her face had been until it was better.
Another time, I was visiting my sister, she had a pain in her abdomen and couldn’t decide what, or exactly where, it was. I had a feel about on her feet and as I touched the reflex points for her bladder she screamed. I told her it would appear she had a bladder infection. Two days later she spent a week in hospital on antibiotics for a bladder infection.
Reflexology is fascinating and people have treatment for several reasons. Strictly speaking it is recommended that people have a 6 week course to get the best effect to begin with and then monthly treatments. But many people have a treatment now and again just for the pleasure and relaxation, which is fine.
I have many stories of my experiences none of which can actually prove it is an effective treatment but in my view, experience is often, if not more valuable than research and proof. Modern living means we are told not to trust our ability of instinct and faith.
So here is the theory:
The feet have reflex point s and areas which correspond to every part of the body.
This means you can draw a picture of a body on your feet with your head and face at your toes and buttocks and legs near your heels. Usually the right foot corresponds to the right side of the body and the left foot the left side of the body.(But not always). By stimulating all these areas of your feet it allows a means of treating the body as a whole and allows not only symptoms to be treated but also encourages the body to deal with the causes and in turn this encourages a holistic (or whole) rebalance.
Reflexology is well documented and originates from thousands of years ago. It was practised by the Chinese and Egyptians.
Reflexology was brought to modern day practice by the late Eunice Ingham, an American lady. Her treatment method was called ‘Zone Therapy’ and had been further described by American, Dr William Fitzgerald. In the UK Reflexology was pioneered by the late Doreen Bayly in the early 1960’s. Her passion to promote awareness and interest is well known to all reflexologists.
Reflexology is not a ‘cure-all’ but many people with health problems or disorders report positive therapeutic responses following reflexology including:
- Migraine
- Sinus problems
- Hormonal imbalances
- Breathing disorders
- Digestive problems
- Circulatory problems
- Back problems
- Tension and stress.
- Relaxation
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM REFLEXOLOGY TREATMENT
Reflexology involves the application of firm pressure using the side and end of the thumb and fingers. All areas on both feet are treated. Areas on the feet correspond to areas of the body and if they feel uncomfortable or tender when massaged the degree of tenderness will indicate the degree of imbalance in the body area. However, the massage should not be overly uncomfortable even to someone with very sensitive feet.
Treatment time is around 40minutes and at the end of a session you will probably be surprised at how relaxed you feel. We have a very broad range of reflexology clients who travel to us from Stourbridge, Bridgnorth, Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury and various other locations across the Midlands.
Reflexology is one of the most used alternative therapies in Denmark. A national survey from 2005 showed that 21.4% of the Danish population had used reflexology at some point in life and 6.1% had used reflexology within the previous year.
Practices resembling reflexology may have existed in previous historical periods. Although its origins are not well documented, there are reliefs on the walls of a Sixth Dynasty Egyptian tomb (c. 2450)