Foot Reflexology: Not Just Your Basic Massage
Foot reflexology dates back to over 5000 years starting from the east and slowly traveling to the west where it made its debut in Russia. The ancients were aware of the importance of good foot care, evidence shows in hieroglyphics on the tomb of Ankhmahor, the chief overseer and possible physician to the great Pharoahs where foot diagrams reflecting modern day foot reflexology points are mapped out. We can see similar diagrams of the Hindu god Vishnu feet where Sanskrit symbols are precisely located in modern day foot reflexology zones.
Modern day foot reflexology is often accredited to work of Dr. William Fitzgerald and associates at the Riley School of Chiropractic in Washington, in 1913. Doctors Fitzgerald, Bowen and Starr White wrote about their work in this new field of foot massage. They discovered how certain areas or zones in the foot corresponded with various body organs. Dr. Fitzgerald founded zone therapy and is accredited with producing the first foot reflexology charts.
The foot reflexology technique is designed to massage the foot and help you relax as well as stimulate other parts of the body. But it is much more than just a foot massage as this approach to holistic medicine does not only concentrate upon the foot but reflexologists concentrate on the person as a whole. The reflexologist will work with people, find out the different health issues facing them, empathize, support and attempt to therapeutically correct the body imbalance caused by years of stress and strain upon various organs and systems. Reflexologists work with body and soul and claim to touch upon the areas upon which “modern medicine” so often neglects.
Advanced foot reflexology goes beyond foot massage; it incorporates the mind, body and soul. Reflexologists maintain that by doing a foot reading they can ascertain a person’s life style and general wellbeing, they profess that, “The mental, physical and psychological history of the person is spelled out with such accuracy.” Sometimes a person comes to a reflexologist with simply the mention that, “I do not feel well” and the reflexologist begins to analyze the foot to see where the body imbalance originates. Some common indicators of stress within the body can be found by detecting, calluses, bunions, corns and knobby toes, other indications include an unusual tenderness experienced when touching the feet. At this point, the reflexologist will target the stress areas and corresponding organs within the body.
Besides going to a reflexologist, you can obtain information on the web, through your library or bookstore as well. Several excellent books are on the market, one that is highly recommended is The Complete Guide to Foot Reflexology by Barbara Kunz, an expert in the area of reflexology. This book is easily found on amazon.com.
Always remember that if the body is experiencing an imbalance through foot reflexology this imbalance can be reversed or corrected for most common ailments. A serious note of caution, foot reflexology is to be used in conjunction with standard medical practice and should never be considered as an application that can be used alone especially if one is suffering from major medical conditions.
Reflexology Related Articles
Foot Reflexology Map: Let Your Feet Travel the Path to Good Health
The foot reflexology chart or diagram is also known as a foot reflexology map. The foot reflexology map is labeled as such because it works like a guide or map pointing out strategic points on the foot in order to trigger corresponding body organs and systems through the use of massage, pressure, and specific thumb and finger manipulations.
Dr. William Fitzgerald of the Riley School of Chiropractic in Washington, DC, 1913-1920 was the originator of the first foot reflexology map. He found that by massaging the foot, his patients would maintain that pain was relieved in other parts of the body. Together with Dr. Edwin Bowen and Dr. George Starr White, Fitzgerald developed the practice and theory of Zone therapy. Later on Dr. Riley the founder of the School of Chiropractic took interest in the new field of zone therapy as a complement to his work in chiropracty.
The physicians who became interested in zone therapy at the time were doctors who believed in a holistic approach to medicine, they advocated drug free medicine and thus performed foot and body massages as a means to relieve pain. Although much of modern reflexology does not use drugs of any kind, creams or lotions, these pioneers did use an artificial apparatus that served as a body massager for zone therapy and chiropractic work. Modern reflexologists can purchase massagers to aid in treatment. The new and improved Dr. Riley’s ultra massager has no doubt been named after the pioneer who dedicated his life work to healing people.
Dr. Riley also used a machine he called the percuss o meter to aid in stimulating the zone pressure points. Pictures of the rudimentary machines can be found on the net or in the archives of the Modern Institute of Reflexology.
There are various tools on the market today to aid in massage procedures for self care and home care use. The layperson can purchase a Reflexycure Probe which is a device that stimulates the KI meridian point on the sole of the foot. The KI meridian point is located between the second and third metataursal bones in the ball of the foot and is considered to be the solar plexus reflex area. You massage the area by rolling your foot against a wheel designed for this purpose. The exact location may be a bit tricky to find and you will need to consult a foot reflexology chart to help guide you in the process.
Many reflexologists prefer to adhere to the strict codes of using key finger and thumb manipulation without the aid of artificial devices. The only instrument they will rely upon is the foot reflexology map, or other types of reflexology maps for guidance but do maintain that these various devices can help facilitate learning for home care use.
Reflexology Related Articles