Reflexology: General Outline and Explanation

Introduction

Most people have heard the term reflexology but really don't have a clear idea what it is. They think of it as some type of new age, alternative type of either healing or personal improvement practice.

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A vague memory of their pediatrician hitting their knee with a tool with a triangular piece of rubber on the end to check their reflexes comes to mind. If the lower leg moved forward you had good reflexes.

Reflexology Deals with Reflexes

Reflexology is similar to acupuncture and acupressure in that it works with the body's vital energy through the stimulation of points on the body. However, acupuncture/acupressure points do not always coincide with the reflex points used in reflexology.

• Reflexology is an alternative medicine involving application of pressure to the feet and hands with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion.
• Reflexology is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands, with the premise that such work effects a physical change to the body.

Reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1913 by William H. Fitzgerald, M.D. (1872-1942), an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and Dr. Edwin Bowers. Fitzgerald claimed that applying pressure had an anesthetic effect on other areas of the body. New York reflexology has been a popular holistic therapy since 1995. It reduces stress and tension in your body and promotes good health and well being by restoring the natural balance in your body.

Reflexologists believe that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all the glands, organs, and parts of the body. They have a unique method of using their thumb and fingers on these reflexes to find areas of congestion and tension and then work these out to help the body work more efficiently.

It is hard to understand how putting pressure on a certain area of the foot could have an affect on an organ or gland. It sounds sort of like acupuncture. The reason reflexology is said to work is because reflexes link each part of the body to a special area on the feet and hands.

The Nervous System Connects the Reflexes

For example, there are about 7,500 nerve endings in the foot. When a reflex point is manipulated properly a reflex action, like the tool hitting the knee, is produced through the nerve endings. Some of these nerve endings get damaged or unresponsive. The reflexologist eases the tension on these nerves and blood vessels which allows blood to flow easier helping the body to work better.

If you have ever had a good foot massage you know how relaxing this can be. A foot massage emphasizes the muscular, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Most people know that the circulatory system moves blood through our systems but are not as familiar with the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is an extensive interconnected system of vessels, spaces, and nodes in the body which circulates lymph which is a fluid made from protein and other fluids.

Reflexology not only helps the muscular, circulatory and lymphatic systems of the body, it also affects the inside of the body, all of the organs and glands, everything inside the body.

Reflexologists use a reflexology chart which is a map of the foot showing the specific locations of corresponding body parts as their nerves are represented in the foot.

The chart shows which nerve to manipulate for each body part. It is interesting that the left and right foot reflect the left and right side of the body and the heart, lungs, chest and upper back are located in the ball of the foot.

Information and Page References

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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2009, January 26 - Last revised: 2019, November 27). Reflexology: General Outline and Explanation. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved January 14, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/alternative/ayurveda/reflexology/explained.php

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