Reflexology is a natural and noninvasive healing method that dates back to ancient Egypt in which pressure is carefully and systematically applied to one's feet in certain patterns in order to trigger certain reflex points. Benefits are many and even include the ability to facilitate healing on extremities and areas of the body that cannot be touched directly, such as broken bones and internal disorders.
History
First coined in 1917 by physician Vladimir Behterev and later advanced by Eunice Ingham, the modern-day founder, reflexology refers to the technique of applying pressure to specific reflex points on the hands and feet to affect the health of corresponding areas of the body.
Gentle pressure applied to these reflex points aids the body in coming back into balance. Ingham furthered this premise by creating maps of the feet and hands, still in use today, that demonstrate which pressure points correspond to which specific body parts.
Theories/Speculation
Zone therapy, developed by Dr. William Fitzgerald in the early 20th century, suggests that there are ten zones that run vertically down the body, five on each side. Because, according to Fitzgerald, one toe "sits" within each zone, direct pressure on that toe affects the entire zone, from head to foot. Reflexology relies heavily upon Fitzgerald's findings that applying pressure to the hands and feet lessens pain in corresponding zones throughout the body.
Benefits
Reflexology is an excellent aid to maintaining good health by improving relaxation, alleviating stress, decreasing pain, and promoting faster recovery from invasive procedures, such as surgery. A reflexology session recreates the relaxing effects of a full-body massage without the time investment or need to undress.
Features
A therapist will touch only the feet (and possibly the hands and ears, both full of pressure points) during a session with controlled, continuous pressure called "thumbwalking" and "fingerwalking."
Considerations
Sessions last roughly 45 minutes to an hour and, because of this technique's rise in popularity, are now readily available at spas and health centers.
Fun Fact
Reflexologists in the early 20th century used combs or rubber bands, rather than their own hands, to apply pressure to reflex points.
Tags: reflex points, 20th century, applying pressure, areas body, early 20th, early 20th century, hands feet