Reflexology is a Complementary Therapy that works on the feet or hands assisting the body to heal itself. Following illness, stress, injury or disease, the body is in a state of "imbalance", and vital energy pathways are blocked, preventing the body from functioning effectively. Reflexology can be used to restore and maintain the body's natural equilibrium and encourage healing.
A Reflexologist uses hands only to apply pressure to the feet or hands. For each person the application and the effect of the therapy is unique. Sensitive, trained hands can detect tiny deposits and imbalances in the feet, and by working on these points the Reflexologist can release blockages and restore the free flow of energy to the whole body. Tensions are eased, and circulation and elimination is improved. This gentle, but deceptively powerful, therapy encourages the body to heal itself.
The roots of reflexology can be traced back to about 5000 BC when some sort of foot massage therapy was being used in India, China and Egypt.
Modern Reflexology was developed by Dr. William Fitzgerald, an American ear, nose and throat specialist, who, in 1913, used pressure on specific parts of the body to provide an anaesthetic affect on a related area. He divided the body into 10 invisible zones running from head to toe and stated that pressure on one part of a zone can affect all other parts of the body within that zone.
Eunice Ingham, who developed many of the techniques still used today, continued his work in the 1930’s.
Reflexology continues to develop and many reflexologists now take the view that it works in the same way as acupuncture by clearing blockages of "chi" in the 12 meridians described in traditional Chinese medicine. Others believe the key to reflexology's effectiveness is based on stimulation of the central nervous system. Personally, I consider all these theories to be valid and I think, in reality, they are one theory looked at from different perspectives.