Reflexology is a Complementary Therapy that works on the feet or hands enabling the body to heal itself. Following illness, stress, injury or disease, the body is in a state of "imbalance", and vital energy pathways are blocked, preventing the body from functioning effectively. Reflexology can be used to restore and maintain the body's natural equilibrium and encourage healing.
A Reflexologist uses hands only to apply pressure to the feet or hands. For each person the application and the effect of the therapy is unique. Sensitive, trained hands can detect tiny deposits and imbalances in the feet, and by working on these points the Reflexologist can release blockages and restore the free flow of energy to the whole body. Tensions are eased, and circulation and elimination is improved. This gentle therapy encourages the body to heal itself.
The roots of reflexology can be traced
back to about 5000 BC when some sort of foot massage therapy was being
used in India, China and Egypt.
Modern Reflexology was developed by Dr. William Fitzgerald, an American
ear, nose and throat specialist, who, in 1913, used pressure on specific
parts of the body to provide an anaesthetic affect on a related area. He
divided the body into 10 invisible zones running from head to toe and
stated that pressure on one part of a zone can affect all other parts of
the body within that zone.
His work was continued in the 1930’s by Eunice Ingham who developed many of the techniques still used today.
Modern day developments include a much closer link with the meridian theory developed in China and upon which Acupuncture is based, new techniques and variations to more traditional methods eg Vertical Reflexology, Advanced Reflexology, Precision Reflexology, Colour Reflexology and a variety of other systems.