Men’s Health

What is Reflexology and why should I learn about it?

What is reflexology is a question that is commonly asked and the answer is simply a system that applies pressure to various designated areas of the body such as ear, hand, and foot without the using any other sources such as instruments, materials, lotions, oils and creams. Okay, you might say, “I get it so far but what is reflexology, why are you applying pressure?” To answer the question what is reflexology and how it is applied it is best to start with the philosophy and work our way through.

Reflexology, also known as touch therapy, has it roots in ancient china where it was considered that pressure or massage stimulation applied to the feet could treat or reduce diseases of certain organs. Certain pressure points were said to stimulate certain organs in ancient Taoist belief. The ancient Chinese derived acupressure and then acupuncture from this starting point and today it is very much a part of modern Chinese medicine.

When trying to answer the question what is reflexology? We must look at its progression from its origin in China to its inception in the west. This eastern view of “pressure points”, “life force or chi”, in Taoist belief could be likened to the Hindu charkas points located in the human body. Again, stimulating such places, or pressure points, such the heart charka is said to provide health benefits. More to the point, ancient pictures have been discovered in India with medical pictures demonstrating various pressure points marked off on the soles of the feet of the Buddha. Similar archeological findings in Egypt show evidence of touch therapy in hieroglyphics on the tomb of Ankhmahor dating back to 2000 BC.

The concept spread to the western around the 14th century and today it is used as an alternative medicine form for relieving stress. It was said that Cellini, the Florentine Italian sculptor (1500 – 1533) practiced pain relief therapy by using finger pressure techniques. By 1582, doctors in Europe were already beginning to write about zone therapy (pressure point therapy of today).

On this side of the Atlantic we know that South American Incas practiced a foot message which is still widely in use by the North American Cherokee. By the turn of the 20th century books on the subject were sprouting out all over the place as the medical community began to take notice of this eastern form of medicine.

Finally when addressing the question what is reflexology bear in mind the appeal of reflexology and eastern medicine is largely due to its holistic approach to medicine. The belief behind holistic medicine is centered upon the ability of the body to heal itself. With reflexology there is no need for drugs. The simple massaging of key reflex points in the hands and feet releases the energy block within the human body, stimulates the immune system, dislodges toxins so that the body can eliminate them naturally and is considered preventative care against illness.

Reflexology Chart: The Ultimate aid in the Science of Reflexology

Reflexology also known as zone therapy is the practice of using pressure points in strategic areas of the body namely, hands, ears, and feet to aid in the maintenance of general well being. Practitioners usually map out the various reflex or pressure points necessary to the body’s well being with the aid of a reflexology chart. A reflexology chart is a quick reference to the various pressure points found in the body. By using a reflexology chart the practitioner is sure to locate the appropriate pressure point for the corresponding organ or system in the body that is needed to be stimulated or messaged back to health.

A reflexology chart can be very colorful bringing the eye immediately to the areas of the body that correspond to the pressure, message, or squeezing done by the practitioner. The use of a reflexology chart as a visual aid can be more accurate than just written instructions. Seeing the picture of where to apply pressure, leaves less room for error than trying to figure it out from a written set of instructions. Each area of the body would be color coded in a reflexology chart. Not only does this quick visual aid help the practitioner in locating the exact spot to apply pressure on the foot, hand or ear, it can be extremely helpful for the layperson who wishes to practice reflexology for reasons of self improvement.

For the student of reflexology, a color coded reflexology chart is particularly useful for the visual learner since each area of the body is mapped out and coded in a different color. For example, the heart is represented in red, the eyes in light blue, the lung and breast in green, the bladder in yellow and so on. Different shades of the same color may represent different organs or systems in the body. It is well understood that charts make wonderful visual aids for students to get a different perspective or understanding on the material that must be learned. Not only are these reflexology charts available in the classroom setting, but they are widely available for the layperson in books, videos, or dvds. Furthermore a Google search will bring you to various articles displaying reflexology charts as well.

Reflexology offers aid in reducing stress, eliminating pain, ridding the body of toxins, unblocking tension and blocked energy and revitalizing the body. For the layperson who wishes to try this procedure without the expense of a qualified reflexologist, investing in a book with a reflexology chart can help cut down on expenses, but of course does not replace the expertise of a professional.

Learn the Points From Reflexology Socks

For those interested in giving self reflexology massage there is a product on the market called reflexology socks. A novice can learn the technique from reflexology socks because the pressure points on the feet are color coded on the socks. Right away you know where the pressure points are. There is a chart that comes with the socks that tells you what part of the body is represented by the schematic diagram on the socks.

For whatever part of the body that you want to affect through touch you only need to use gentle pressure with your thumb and forefinger. It is advised to use the socks as a tool to help you memorize where the pressure points are on your feet. Use the socks on yourself or on your friend or partner. To be sure that you are indeed learning the pressure points from reflexology socks, try to find the specific areas with your eyes closed. You should be able to find the pressure points corresponding with their organs and systems without looking. Finding them should be second nature to you over time.

Reflexology socks are a great teaching tool because they are a visual aid. They are fun to look at and certainly they would be a conversation piece, to say the least. However, for someone who has not been taught the art of reflexology, the socks make it simple. Wherever you hurt, just slip on a pair and ask someone to massage your pain and tension away; nothing for you to do but close your eyes and enjoy.

Reflexology is similar to acupressure, in that when pressure is administered to a specific zone on the feet, as shown on reflexology socks, this relieves stress to the corresponding organ the zone represents. Reflexology treatments relieve stress and unblock nerve receptors allowing for the pathway between the zone on the foot and the corresponding body part to come into a state of homeostasis or balance. In turn, reflexology promotes healing and a state of well being.

Reflexology socks are a wonderful way to teach your children about reflexology. Children learn by taking a hands-on approach; what better way than to learn to apply pressure on the specific zones. Children soak up information like sponges; the more you teach them, the more they want to learn. Reflexology socks are just plain fun.

You can purchase them at Amazon.com, Earth Therapeutics and Nextag, and other places online. Reflexology socks are sold in pairs. They come in one standard size; one size fits all, and are made of a stretchy cotton lycra blend. Reflexology socks are fairly inexpensive at $10 to $12 on line. You can get them even cheaper, under $5 before shipping on eBay. Follow washing instructions, most come with directions to wash on the delicate cycle.

Reflexology Points of Interest

Reflexology is a healing art that has been practiced since ancient times. Specific areas on the hands and feet correspond to nerve endings that supply neuronal pathways to the various organ systems of the body. There are many reflexology points of interest; just like our ears and eyes perceive the world around us, the skin on the hands and feet are much more than sense organs. Information can be sent to the specific organs through the nerve pathways when specific areas of the hands or feet are touched, massaged and manipulated.

One of the fascinating reflexology points of interest is that you can relieve a sinus headache by applying pressure to the ends of your toes. Your second, third, fourth and little toe on both feet are connected to the nerves in your head and sinuses. The next time you have a bad sinus headache, before you reach for a pain reliever try gently squeezing the end of your toes for a few minutes. It only takes a few minutes, try it for 15 minutes. Better yet, if you have a partner, ask him/her to do this for you. It always feels good to get your feet rubbed, and during the foot massage ask to have special attention applied to the ends of your toes. It always feels better when someone else does it, but you can do it yourself also.

There are many reflexology points of interest; the crease next to the last two toes and the sole of the foot is the neuronal route to the ears. So if you have an earache, rub this area. Apply some gentle pressure to this area on both feet. Each foot represents half of the body, when you have an earache in your left ear; rub the area adjacent to your 4th and pinky toes and the sole on your left foot. Take your time massaging that area and feel the pain start to fade away.

One of the many other reflexology points of interest, the area adjacent to the 2nd and 3rd toe and the sole of the foot, is the neuronal route to the eyes. If you have eye strain, gently rub with kneading pressure in this area. If you have someone to do this for you, just close your eyes and relax and enjoy this for a few minutes.

On the hands, reflexology points of interest, is the area between the index finger and middle finger on both hands. This area corresponds with the eyes also; therefore if you don’t have a partner to massage and apply pressure to your feet, and you don’t want to do it yourself, you can relieve your eye strain by massaging this area with gentle pressure. Just close your eyes and massage this area on the anterior side of your hand between the first and second fingers and the palm of your hand. To relieve eye strain on both eyes remember to massage this area on both hands. This technique is especially helpful for people who work in front of a computer screen for hours at a time. It really does relax the eyes and makes you feel fresh, like you have had a nap.

If you would like to learn more about reflexology points of interest there are many books out on the subject. The book, Complete Reflexology for Life, written by Barbara Kunz is reviewed as being very easy to understand; the directions of how to administer the healing techniques are easy to follow. There are many sources of education to learn about this healing art. There are DVD’s on the market and there are many videos on Youtube that you can watch to learn more about this form of holistic healing.

The origin of the Reflexology Map and its Usage

The reflexology map is another way of saying a reflexology chart. As with the reflexology chart, the reflexology map is a map of the pressure zones or points in various parts of the body which correspond to other organs and body systems. The pioneers of zone therapy which latter became known as reflexology was a team of doctors working at the Riley School of Chiropractic. Dr. Fitzgerald, Bowen and Starr White founded the theory of Zone Therapy, while Dr. Riley continued the work and was largely responsible for the propagation of the discipline. In his life time, Dr. Riley wrote several books. The last book dating back to 1942, called Zones Therapy has become a classic in modern reflexology courses today. Dr. Riley lectured all over the country, he was known in some circles as the greatest healer of all time.

Both Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Riley were instrumental in the innovation of the reflexology map. Dr. Riley put a lot of emphasis on charts and diagrams of various reflex zones in the human body. His reflexology map of the ten different zones may not have been colorful like the ones we have today, but they were invaluable tools to both the practitioners back then and the practitioners of today as well.

Dr. Riley’s hand reflexology map was extremely detailed leaving no area of the hand, fingers, and wrists unaccounted for. The ear reflexology map or chart that was first developed by Dr. Riley is still available for sale at the Modern Institute of Reflexology. Dr. Riley even created a reflex zone drawing or reflexology map for the face.

Dr. Riley was not alone in his development of reflexology maps, several of the doctors did work in this area. The chart or reflexology map of one side of the human body was created by Dr. Fitzgerald. He clearly marked meridian points by numbers, for example zone 3 and 4 represented the Eustachian tube and middle ear combined, while zone 4 was just the middle ear alone. According to his research there was twelve meridian points in all and they could all be accessed through manipulating and stimulating the feet. Dr. Fitzgerald was also noted for applying pressure by squeezing the fingers and fingertips to reduce pain in various areas of the body.

Dr. Eunice Stopfel created reflexology maps of the feet and was renowned for her writings about extracting crystals in the human body hovering around nerve endings. This work however has never been authenticated, though the Modern Institute of Reflexology claims they were able to extract a crystal from a human body and examine it.

Modern reflexologists have advanced the work of these great pioneers and have created some new reflexology maps. Still, the old standards continue to play a key role in the art of reflexology.