Natural Health: Part 4

Reflexology History

Reflexology as we know it today has its roots in ancient history, it is a therapy that seems to have sprung up in many different cultures throughout the world, it is believed to have started in India and spread from there, but the earliest known documentation was found in Egypt. Whilst touring Egypt in 1979 Dr Gwendolyn Raines along with Ed and Ellen Case of Los Angel es discovered an ancient papyrus scroll depicting the treatment of hands and feet by a physician, the scroll dates c2500 BC, there is also evidence of the practice of reflexology in the tomb of Ankhmabor, at Saqqara, where can be found a pictograph of a physician giving treatment to the hands and feet of his patient, the pictograph is carved into the stone wall of the tomb. Reflexology was not only practiced in Asia, the Middle East and Europe, it was also practiced by the North American Indians as part of their folk medicine, and it is believed that this knowledge was passed from the Incas to the peoples of North America. Doctor William Fitzgerald an ear, nose and throat consultant in America is credited as being the father of modern reflexology, and his first experience of reflexology indeed came from zone therapy, as practiced by the red Indians, in 1917 Dr Fitzgerald published a book on the subject, it was titled “Zone Therapy”, or “Relieving Pain At Home” the book made little impact on the medical world at the time, until another physician took an interest in Dr Fitzgerald’s work, this was Dr Joe Shelby Riley and although he did not pursue zone therapy personally, one of his therapists did, a certain Eunice Ingham ,  as she was also interested in Dr Fitzgerald’s work on zone therapy but where Dr Fitzgerald focused on the hands Eunice Ingham started to explore what possibilities the feet held, it was in fact Eunice Ingham that is credited with mapping out the feet, in reflexology terms Eunice’s nephew Dwight C Byers carried on her work, and brought reflexology to what it is in the world today.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is the massage, or applying of pressure to certain parts of the body, usually the hands and/or feet, it is believed by therapists that the body is divided into ten  zones, these zones are represented on the hands, and feet, and each hand or foot contains five zones, and by massaging or applying pressure to a zone in the hands and feet affects every part of the body that lies within that particular zone. The zones are numbered from the thumb or big toe outward, as an examples, the green area in the middle of the foot would represent the stomach area, and would be found in zones one,two, three and four on the left foot, , the large yellow areas represent the lungs, and can be found in zones two, three and four of both feet, and the red area just to the right of the green area represents the spleen,and can be found in zones four to five on the left foot. Reflexologists believe that by massaging, and applying pressure to specific areas of the foot they can bring about a beneficial effect to the corresponding part of the body

                                              Reflexology Techniques

There are four basic techniques that are applied during a treatment session, these are used alongside the holding techniques. 

• The Thumb Technique.
• The Finger Technique. 
• The Thumb Hook In And Back Up Technique.
• The Reflex Rotation Technique

The basic thumb technique, this is a technique where you walk the thumb up down and across areas of the foot, the outside of the thumb is used to this end, or if you were to place your hand face down on a flat surface, the part of the thumb that is in contact with surface is the part used..

The basic finger technique, is the same as the thumb technique, where the finger or thumb is moved along the foot, in much the same way as a Caterpillar moves along.

The thumb hook in and back up technique, is a technique where the thumb is walked, and then you dig in the thumb and pull back the opposite way you were going, this technique is used to access deep points in the foot.   

The reflex rotation technique is a technique where the thumb and/or finger are held on a reflex point or points and the foot is rotated or otherwise manipulated, this is a technique that is also used to access deep points within the feet.

Preparing the Patient

After an initial consultation, the treatment takes place this is usually performed on a massage couch the patient is made comfortable, and the treatment begins, the therapist, and patient usually start by taking a few deep breaths, then the therapist starts the treatment by performing a few loosening up exercises on the feet this helps to relax the patient and it makes working the feet easier.

The Treatment

Once the loosening up process is complete the treatment starts in earnest, therapists usually work to a set routine,where the whole foot is systematically massaged, while working the foot, areas that feel out of balance are detected, as the flesh under the skin can feel gritty or crunchy, this indicates problems in the related area of the body, when these areas are found the therapist will spend extra time working them in orderto restore balance. The therapist can also tell a great deal about the general health of his patients just by looking at the feet, eg if the balls of the feet are a yellowish brown colour, this would be a strong indication that the patient smoked, the state of the nails is also a good indicator as to the health of the patient, eg pitted nails can indicate skin disorders, colouration of the nails can also indicate problems, eg blue or purple nails can indicate circulatory disorders, all these things and more are taken into account as the therapist works.

Contraindications to Treatment

There are few contraindications to treatment, one is pregnancy, a therapist should avoid working around the ankle area during the first trimester of pregnancy, as these areas relate to the sex organs, and if worked they can cause uterine contractions, however in a full term pregnancy these areas are useful to work, as they can help induce labour, and also help to ease the pains. One more contraindication is that care must be taken while treating a patient who has diabetes.

Side Effects From Treatment

Side effects from treatment are not uncommon, but they are usually mild in nature, they can range from mild cold symptoms, urine passed after treatment may be unusually strong, and one patient I had, complained of having nightmares after treatment, these side effects rarely last for more than 24 hours, and they are considered beneficial, as they show that treatment is working.

Reflexology treatments are not only beneficial, but generally speaking they are also very pleasant, and relaxing. until next time, Good Health.