Read All About it: A brief History of the emergence of Reflexology Books
Evidence of reflexology has existed since ancient times. The art of reflexology dates back to around 5000 B.C. in India and china. Before the age of writing and the onset of reflexology books, archeologists discovered ancient pictures on the cave walls and Egyptian hieroglyphics on tombs of the physicians of the great pharaohs. These pictures depicted feet with clear markings of pressure areas. With the onset of modern writing we get the onslaught of actual reflexology books.
There were celebrated people such as the sculptor Cellini, practicing reflexology in Europe since the 14th century, but actual writings in the west are noted later on. One of the first reflexology books was written by Dr. Cornelius in Germany, entitled Pressure Points and their Significance (1902). Dr. Cornelius wrote about pressure zones and how applying force or pressure to painful sites had medicinal purposes. He found that the application of pressure would actually relieve the pain.
After the publishing of his work and the work of his colleagues, the art of reflexology began to germinate in America about this time as well. The curiosity of the alternative medicine community peaked; and the need for reflexology books expanded.
In The USA, attention was given to reflexology as early as 1900’s, when Dr. Edwin Bowers published in Everybody's Magazine, To Stop the Toothache - Squeeze your Toe. Much attention and a flurry of interest resulted from the amazing new to America approach to holistic medicine. Dr. Bowers, Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. George Starr White lectured at The Riley School of Chiropractic and further advanced the theory of pressure zones (reflexology).
During the time frame of 1917 – 1942, Dr. Riley of the School of Chiropractic wrote twelve books on zone therapy culminating in his final work, Zone Reflex in 1942.
Many of these early reflexology books are out of print, but there are many more modern books available on the market today.
Whether you want to practice the art of reflexology yourself, or you want to simply learn about the subject, note that there is a wealth of information found in reflexology books. There are books on specialized locations such as foot reflexology, hand reflexology, ear reflexology as well as general principals, self healing and general techniques and applications.
You can purchase reflexology books at your local books store and online at various sites including amazon.com.
Some of the best selling reflexology books include:
Reflexology: Health at Your Fingertips by Barbara Kunz, Kevin Kunz, Ruth Jenkinson, published 2003,
The Family Guide to Reflexology by Anne Gillanders, published 1998,
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Reflexology by Frankie Avalon Wolfe, Russell McAllister, published 1999.
There are also several websites that give comprehensive lists of valuable reflexology books on the market today. Anthony Larkin, a registered reflexologist provides a reflexology book list on the internet, as well as Virginnia E. Sevilla, or you can do a Google search on your own to find the many sites available to you.
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Hand Reflexology: You can Have It all in The Palm of Your Hand
Most laypeople will know that reflexology pressure points are found in the feet and many have already experienced a massage. However, the person who is bashful to take off his or her shoes in public, whether it be because of an odor problem or the feet are just to ticklish etc, there is an alternative – the hand massage. Hand reflexology also concentrates upon pressure points or zones in the hand which corresponds to the various body organs and systems similar to foot reflexology.
The pioneer experts, Barbara and Kevin Kunz are specialists in this area. They have provided much information on hand reflexology and foot reflexology in their various websites and in their www.facebook.com reflexology group. The couple has been in practicing for over 25 years, but the practice of foot and hand reflexology has been in existence since ancient china, India, Egypt and even some parts of Africa.
Kevin Kunz maintains that there has been a renewed interest in hand reflexology of late due to the amount of stressful activities we are now subjecting our hands to such as: playing video games, spending long hours on the computer, using new electronic equipment such as the blackberry and text messaging back and forth. Many people are experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome because of the pressure put upon the hands.
Hand reflexology will produce a calming effect, once administered. Furthermore, with our busy lifestyles we are in constant motion, taxing our minds and bodies and leaving ourselves open to various diseases such as heart attacks and other problems.
Therefore the aim of the hand reflexology massage is to sufficiently de stress the body parts in order to facilitate its ability to repair itself. There are many nerve ending within the hand and by messaging these various pressure points, the hand will relax, blood will circulate more freely, and pain will dissipate. The calming effect will travel to the various body systems and organs for a generalized stress free feeling of well being.
Hand reflexology is simple to learn, the touch points or pressure zones have been extensively mapped out for us in hand reflexology charts. There are even hand reflexology gloves worn directly upon the hand thus avoiding errors in zone point locations.
The technique to use requires pressure and stretching movements. You can commence by pulling upon the web part of the tips of your fingertips and thumbs, while gently applying pressure. Now take the body of the hand (palm and top of the hand) and stretch the skin back and forth, always be gentle and produce just enough pressure to get the task done.
Kevin Kunz maintains that you can overdo these simply techniques if you are messaging too hard, too long, or too much. Do not overdo it! He cautions if any part of the hand becomes too sensitive to touch because of the massage stop it, let your hand rest for a few days before resuming the massage.
Kevin Kunz recommends rolling a golf ball around the palm of the hand as a great source of energy releasing power. He states that this energy release will benefit the adrenal glands, stomach, kidneys, solar plexus and pancreas.
More information can be found on his various websites, facebook, and other reflexology training institutes.
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