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Reflexology
Reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation, and helps promote the natural function of all body parts and systems and the related areas of the body. One of the benefits of reflexology is that there are no side effects. Reflexology is a drugless therapy. Practitioners do not diagnose, prescribe or treat for any specific conditions. Reflexology is hands‑on and no instruments are used. Studies demonstrate the added value that hands‑on therapy provides. As a result of the stimuli of alternating pressure on the feet, when applied properly and sufficiently, the body becomes healthier. Blockages are removed which restore the free flow of energy to the whole body. As the body's overall wellness improves, many people will notice that their symptoms, aches and pains will disappear. Although reflexologists may access sensitive reflexes in the feet, hands and ears, reflexology is not intended to be painful. These sensitive reflexes often reflect tension in the related area of the body. Reflexology has an accumulative effect and as successive reflexology sessions are had, the sensitivities dissipate. Walking barefoot, especially on sand or uneven ground gives us a natural reflexology session. With the advancement of civilization and the development of shoes we have lost contact that we had with the earth. Reflexology has been documented thousands of years ago, in India, China and Egypt. Reflexology is documented in an Egyptian physician’s tomb from 2300 BC. In North America native tribes handed it down from healer to healer. Christine Issel has written an excellent book, ‘Reflexology: Art, Science and History’ that documents the world history of reflexology. Modern reflexology has its roots in zone theory. Dr William Fitzgerald (1872 – 1942) discovered that by applying pressure on certain parts of the body that it created an anaesthetic type of effect. Dr Fitzgerald and Dr Edwin Bowers published a book entitled Zone Therapy or Relieving Pain at Home in 1917. Dr Joe Riley continued the evolution of reflexology and published the book ‘Zone Therapy Simplified’ in 1919. In the early 1930’s Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist, became enchanted with the concepts and continued the work, finally giving up her physiotherapy career to focus on reflexology. Her books were published as ‘Stories the Feet Can Tell’ (1938) and ‘Stories the Feet Have Told’ (1945) and at this point reflexology became the term used. Eunice was lecturing and teaching reflexology and her teaching became so successful she invited her nephew, Dwight Byers and niece Eusebia Messenger to assist her. Dwight Byers’ book ‘Better Health with Foot Reflexology’ was one of the first comprehensive manuals on the subject. In 1966 Doreen Bayly, having completed her studies under Eunice Ingham, returned to the U.K. and went on to teach many other founders of their own reflexology schools in Europe. Many authors have continued to bring reflexology greater recognition: Kevin and Barbara Kunz, Mildred Carter, Laura Norman, Hanne Marquardt of Germany, and Beryl Crane of the U.K. to name a few. In 1985 the Institute for Complementary Medicine in England accepted the Kunz method of reflexology. Joining in with chiropractic, acupuncture, osteopathy, homeopathy and herbal medicine as “ a style of medical practice that regards health and disease in the terms of the whole person” contributed to the credibility of reflexology. It is the alternating pressure of reflexology that enables the body to relax and shift to a state of being open to healing which takes place during relaxation. Eunice Ingham, considered to be one of the modern North American founders of reflexology, originally experimented with a constant pressure on the feet. She would work the feet, looking for sensitive spots. Ingham applied wads of cotton to these spots, but found that it over stimulated the reflex area. She found that the on and off pressure of reflexology was much more beneficial. This can be explained by what is known as the Gateway Control Theory whereby the nervous system can only respond to a limited amount of sensory information at one time. The foot chart can be layered over a map of the body. The toes represent the head region, the metatarsals represent the chest area, the arch area of the foot represents the abdominal region and the heel represents the pelvis. The softer arch area of the foot represents the softer abdominal area of the body and the firmer heel area represents the firmer pelvic area of the body. The leg and arm reflexes are on the side of the foot. The spine, like other central organs, are divided and represented on both feet. Reflexology is a very mobile and practical therapy and is an excellent skill for everyone to know. It can be done almost anywhere or anytime: on a bus, in a plane and on vacation. Standing in a line at the bank, at stoplights, in traffic tie-ups, sitting in meetings, are all great places to develop the habit of self-reflexology. Reflexology is a wonderful gift to have if a loved one becomes ill in the night! Reflexologists use a variety of techniques that include reflexing, hooking and compressing (which works on precise reflexes) as well as relaxation techniques. Ears, hands and feet can be worked and a composite of each can be incorporated into a session. Ear reflexology is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine acupressure points. The importance of hands is reflected in the large area of nerve pathways that occupy the brain. Self-reflexology is easy to apply to the hands and ears. Reflexology is suitable for all ages and may bring relief from a wide range of chronic and acute conditions. Even though many people seek the services of a reflexologist hoping to find improvement for a specific area, reflexologists do not work for any specific condition. Many people find ongoing sessions beneficial toward maintaining health and well-being. With ever increasing levels of stress it is even more important for people to take responsibility for all areas of their lives including their health. Reflexology helps us to cope on our physical, mental and emotional levels. As well as being a very relaxing experience for both the mind and body, reflexology is recognized as an established, respected and effective therapy.
Contacts and websites that you may find useful in the discovery of reflexology are:Canada www.reflexologycanada.ca Australia www.reflexology.org.au Great Britain www.aor.org.uk USA www.reflexology-usa.org Others www.myreflexology.com www.PacificReflexology.com More Suggested Reading: Reflexology: The Definitive Practitioners Guide by Beryl Crane; The Joy of Reflexology Ann Gillanders;Better Health with Foot Reflexology by Dwight Byers Contact:Reflexology Association of Canada,PO Box 1605 Stn Main,Winnipeg MB R3C 2Z6,1 –877-722-3338,racdsl@mts.net
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