Men’s Health

Reflexology Foot Map: Types and Sites to Choose From

When we review foot reflexology, we no doubt will come across the areas of the foot that have been mapped out for us; to give us a quick reference to the various organs and systems of the body that can benefit from the healing offered through reflexology. It is important to consult a reflexology foot map to know that we are massaging the proper area to correct a problem that we have been having.

A reflexology foot map is a wonderful tool to guide us along the road of good health care. A reflexology foot map is also known as a reflexology foot chart and there are numerous reflexology foot maps to choose from. Relexologists; both practitioners and teachers alike, use the reflexology foot map in their private practice and in the classroom setting.

A foot reflexology map can be as large as a wall chart for classroom purposes or as small as a thumbnail drawing within a text book. For the layperson who just wishes to relieve stress or sooth tired burning feet at home, there are reflexology maps that illustrate the reflex points within the foot. They provide effective instruction on how to massage the areas of the foot to hit your target goal. Whether it be stimulating the thyroid gland, or massaging the heart, a foot reflexology map will pinpoint you to exact area on the foot to utilize.

The development of reflexology socks is an interesting concept to provide easy instruction coupled with a practical use. Reflexology socks allow an individual to have a foot massage just about anywhere without having to carry extra baggage around with them. Simply sit down, relax, kick off your shoes and commence. You can do this individually or joyously with a partner.

A basic internet search will bring you to various sites that will sell a reflexology foot map for your personal convenience. There are many sites to choose from.

If you live in the UK or US, the site http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/cs/uk/11/features/reflexology/footchart.html provides information and maps of the foot. The areas that they have mapped on the foot correspond to several body organs and areas including: Adrenal Gland, lower back, liver, arm, elbow, eye, face, groin, bladder, gall bladder, sciatic nerve, brain, head, breast, heart, chest, fallopian tubes, colon, pancreas, diaphragm, elbow, lung, ear, lower back, upper back, spine, tailbone, eye, ileocaecal valve, solar plexus, gums, shoulder, tops of shoulders, jaw, teeth, stomach, kidney, sinus, neck, brain stem, liver, spleen, spine, knee, leg, lymph glands, parathyroid gland, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, thymus, small intestine.

For more information and a vmore interactive group setting, you can visit Kevin Kunz’s reflexology group on www.facebook.com.

You can go to various sites such as amazon.com, bizrate.com and smarter.com to find the right reflexology foot map (reflexology foot chart) for your personal use.

Reflexology Foot Chart: What to do about Tender Tootsies

Forms of reflexology have been practiced for centuries in the east, dating back to ancient China, where the peoples of the past upheld the significance of applying pressure to various zones or areas in the feet. The ancients who cultivated a therapy called acupressure (later to advance to acupuncture in China) realized early on that putting pressure on the feet released “the life force”, chi, or energy which was blocked within the human body. They also saw how different body organs and systems benefited from massaging these pressure points. Much of their focus was on the foot, where they believed massage could benefit the rest of the body.

Some modern day historians maintain that it was the ancient pharaohs of Egypt circa 2300 BC who actually practiced hand and foot massage. A diagram of the earliest rudimentary reflexology foot chart has been located on the tomb of Ankhmahor the “overseer of the great house”, vizier, and physician to the Pharaoh. There are several expert opinions of what these ancient carvings actually represented. Much attention was paid to the foot during this time in Egyptian history.

To the modern day reflexologist though the Pharaoh and other dignitaries of the society may have been transported about, the common slave or laborer walked far and wide and was constantly on his feet. These poor tender feet needed care. The tired sojourner or visitor to the society may very well have sought help from the country’s physicians. Therefore it is conceivable to say that physicians of the time were interested in foot therapy. Since hieroglyphics was the language of communication at the time, it makes sense that findings of the physicians on basic foot care would be represented in a reflexology foot chart. Some Egyptologists confirm that these ancient drawings do depict a reflexology foot chart of sorts. They have seen from the Egyptian court culture the drawings of servants massaging the legs of their Pharaohs on Ptah-hotep’s tomb. There are also carvings of foot soldiers having their feet attended to during the time of Ramesses II.

We find evidence of the use of a reflexology foot chart in modern day North American culture dating back to 1913, when an ears, nose and throat physician and surgeon by the name of Dr. Fitzgerald, noticed that when he applied pressure to certain areas on the feet, different parts of the body seemed to response well to the touch. These findings lead him to develop the concept of zone therapy now known as reflexology and to develop a reflexology foot chart to aid in the explanation and teaching of this new founded discipline. The first reflexology foot chart that the good doctor designed was divided into 10 vertical areas which he called zones, each zone corresponded to a different area of the body which he had observed through his practice.

Since then reflexology foot charts have been in wide use as training tools for practitioners and laypeople alike.

Reflexology DVD: Seeing is Believing and Benefiting at the Same Time

Anyone interested in reflexology might want to consider purchasing a DVD on the subject. A reflexology DVD will not only tell you all about the subject of reflexology, but it will show you where every organ and system is represented on the front of your hands and on the soles of your feet.

In a reflexology DVD you will see a reflexologist applying pressure to the feet or the hands. The hands and feet are divided into areas or zones that have more than 700 nerve endings that connect with certain areas inside the body. You can go online and purchase DVDs for under $15.00 or you can go on eBay and purchase a reflexology DVD for under $5.00. Two such DVDs, Massage Practice for Reflexology and Chinese Medicine Reflex Hand Massage can be bought without having to bid in the (buy now) category for about $5.00 each.

Reflexology isn’t new, in fact it is ancient. It has been rediscovered as an alternative form of health care. In our feet and hands we have pressure sensors that alert us when we are in danger. Our bodies are equipped with built in fight or flight responses to react to danger. What happens is that our body reacts as a response to the stimulus which spells danger or fear both of which will produce stress within the body. Adrenaline surges through the body, we breathe deeper and faster to pump oxygen into our lungs.

In a similar way reflexologists locate the nerve endings in our feet and hands to stimulate certain responses. By massaging and manipulating certain zones, the reflexologist can relieve stress in the different organ systems and promote a state of homeostasis (balance) throughout the body and promote healing.

By watching a reflexology DVD you can watch the therapist work on a client from start to finish. He/she explains what movements are being done and why. The therapist may take the client’s foot in her hands and shake it between his/her hands prior to applying any pressure. This is to start the relaxation process of the foot. Throughout the video the reflexologist explains everything he/she is doing to promote healing and gives the rationale behind it.

Anyone not familiar with reflexology, who wants to know more about the subject can go to Youtube.com and watch a video, or they he/she can purchase a reflexology DVD anywhere they are advertised online. There are so many reasons why one would want to be massaged by a reflexologist. Men and women with migraine headaches can be helped through reflexology massage. Women with PMS symptoms report relief from the pain, irritability and bloating associated with premenstrual syndrome.

If you are watching a reflexology DVD, for the first time, pay attention to the technique. Watch how the therapist applies pressure to the feet and hands. Watch how the reflexologist uses his/her thumbs, fingers and hands to massage the specific areas to promote relaxation and healing to the specific organ systems of the body.

Reflexology Charts: Mapping out Your Path to Better Health

The philosophy behind the art of reflexology is the premise that there are certain reflex sites found on the hand and feet which actually correspond with different organ and systems of the body. By producing pressure on these sites, through pressure/touch, message, or squeezing, the corresponding organs and body systems can benefit from the procedure. Reflexology charts are useful for mapping out the exact reflex site aligned with the corresponding body part. Evidence of ancients reflexology charts are found on Egyptian tombs.

Modern reflexology charts generally show the diagram of a hand, foot or ear with the zones mapped out. Reflexology charts are very colorful with a different color or shade representing different organs or systems of the body. The reflexology charts can be numbered and labeled to assist in ease of location for the practitioner to effectively locate the zone for treatment.

Reflexology charts can come in all shapes and sizes from a small book diagram to a large wall size chart effective for classroom instruction. There are some wonderful new tools for home use available as well such as:

Reflexology gloves come with the chart imprinted on them to massage the hands. These colorful reflexology charts are printed on both sides of the gloves so the person doing the application will remember to massage both the front and back of the hand. It is important to note that the reflexology charts on the right and left hand are not identical and not to confuse one with the other while doing the pressure therapy.

Reflexology mats are designed to facilitate exercise and meditation. Reflexology mats have raised bumps along the surface. These bumps will apply pressure to the feet when the individual walks upon them. Thus the individual will not only have a good physical workout but reap the benefit of their healing properties as well. The mats are made out of a soft rubber and are effective in releasing body toxins, stress and fatigue.

Reflexology socks also have the chart imprinted on them. They are stretchable – one size fit all. Generally speaking the recipient will engage another individual to effectively message the feet by following the therapeutic guide. Not only can the socks produce physical holistic health results but can add a psychological bonding or intimacy between couples.

Stimulating these pressure points can improve circulation, relieve stress detoxify the body, release energy trapped within the body and more. Reflexology charts will guide you to the right pressure point to stimulate the organ or body system that you want to concentrate upon.

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.