.: Reflexology

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is the application of the right amount of pressure to specific points and areas on the feet, hands, or ears. Reflexologists believe that these areas and reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and that pressing them has a beneficial effect on the organs and person's general health.

Reflexology is not used to diagnose or cure health disorders, millions of people around the world use it to complement other treatments like anxiety, asthma, cancer treatment, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, headaches, kidney function, PMS, and sinusitis.

In reflexology points and areas on the feet, hands, and ears correspond to specific organs, bones and body systems. Practitioners access these points on the feet and hands (bottom, sides, and top) and the ear (both inside as far as the finger can reach and outside) to affect organs and systems throughout the entire body.

Maps of reflex points have been passed between practitioners. There is not agreement among all reflexologists on all of the points.There is a general agreement on major reflex points.

Also there is some scientific documentation of linkages between the skin and internal organs.

To represent how the body systems correspond to one another there are reflexology maps.

Here are a few I found on line. Now I have looked at a lot of maps and all are alike in many ways. I just picked one for each Ear, Foot and Hand.

Each side represents a vertical half of the body. So on that side of the body there will be points on the hand, ear or foot that are connected to that side of the body's organs, valves, ect.

Example: On the left foot it corresponds to the left side of the body and all organs, valves, etc. found there.

Same for the right foot it corresponds to the right side of the body and all organs found there.

So because the liver is on the right side of the body the point will be on the right hand, ear or foot.

A reflexologist may perform a general, integrated session, or they may focus on specific problem areas on the feet, hands or ears.

For example, if time is limited and the person really needs to relax, the reflexologist may choose just to work on the ears.

Whatever the approach is the reflexologist attempts to release congestion or stress in the nervous system and put balance back into the body's energy.

I had read some were that you would put pressure with your thumb and first finger by pressing the spot that affects you for 5 seconds and release for 3 seconds. You will repeat this for 2-3 minutes for 5-10 days until you get relief. I have tried this on my hands for pain in my lower back and it does help.I also used it to help with the pain from my PCOS and I really think it made a difference because when the cysts bust the pain is so bad it will linger sometimes for a good few hours. I will press the ovaries area and it helps so much.

Where does reflexology come from?

Because reflexology is an ancient practice, its origin and history is difficult to track. However, reflexology is thought to have been passed down through an oral tradition, and possibly first recorded as a pictograph on the Egyptian tomb of Ankhamor in 2330 BC along with other medical procedures.

Reflexology symbols are also thought to be recorded on the feet of statues of Buddha in India and later China. The Chinese classic, the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, which was written around 1,000 BC, has a chapter on "Examining Foot Method" and is the beginning of discussions in print about the connection of life force and points and areas on the feet.

It is believed that Marco Polo translated a Chinese massage book into Italian in the 1300s, thus introducing reflexology and massage to Europe. In 1582, a book on an integral element of reflexology called zone therapy was first published in Europe by Dr. Adamus and Dr. A'tatis.

In the United States, William H. Fitzgerald, MD, who is frequently referred to as the father of reflexology, wrote in 1917 about ten vertical zones that extended the length of the body. He found that the application of pressure to a zone that corresponded to the location of an injury could serve as relief of pain during minor surgeries.

Dr. Fitzgerald's work was expanded by Dr. Shelby Riley, who developed a map of horizontal zones going across the body and a detailed map of reflex points on the feet and hands. He also suggested pressure points on the outer ear.

Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist who worked for Dr. Riley, is another prominent figure in the development of reflexology. In her research with zone therapy's pressure points, she found the feet to be the most sensitive and responsive. She developed the foot maps still in use today and introduced reflexology practices to the non-medical community in the 1930s. Ms. Ingham also designed one of the most commonly used reflexology charts, which has since been refined by her nephew, Dwight Byers, at the International Reflexology Institute.

In 1957, Dr. Paul Nogier recorded a reflex map of points on the outer ear. His work has been expanded by Oleson and Flocco and is now being taught as part of an integrated approach to hand, ear and foot reflexology.