Reflexology is used to activate the healing powers of the body by pressing on reflex areas on the feet, hands or ears. It is mainly a process of treating points & areas on the feet that relate to corresponding parts of the body, mind and spirit. The soles of the feet reflect the whole body, the organs, the skeletal, nervous, circulatory, endocrine & lymphatic systems. It can enhance fertility & also helps mothers during pregnancy (after first trimester) to be comfortable in all aspects. It can help with nausea, gestational diabetes, reduces swelling in hands, feet & ankles. Reflexology has been found to ease common symptoms of pregnancy and facilitate the smooth progress of labour. It is deeply soothing and encourages the body to naturally heal itself & eliminate toxins and negativity. Reflexology is great for reducing stress, soothing emotions increasing energy levels, inducing relaxation & bringing the body back into balance.
Reflexology History
Most ancient cultures had some form of foot therapy. The
Native American Indian cultures, Egyptians and Chinese independently developed
methods which were all based on the same principle. In Ancient Egypt dating
around 2500BC, there are hieroglyphics on the tomb wall of Ankmahor a famous
physician documenting a type of massage on the hands and feet. In Buddhist,
Hindu and Jewish traditions shoes are always removed when entering into a Holy
space. Feet have always had a special significance biblically. The Chinese have
used pressure on acupressure points as a healing method for over 5000 years.
Centuries and social change saw much of these techniques lost to time.
Reflexology as we know it today began as a theory called
Zone Therapy, conceived by a throat and nose surgeon Dr. William Fitzgerald in
the USA in the early 1900s. He had discovered a Chinese method whereby applying
pressure to one part of the body created an anaesthetic affect on another part
of the body. He did extensive testing and developed a map dividing the body
into 10 longitudinal zones; 5 either side of the midline. Everything in each
zone is connected so pressure on the head at one end will affect a toe on the
other. This demonstrates the meridians of energy used in acupuncture and the
interrelationship between all the different parts of the body.
Book a Reflexology session with Loretta at Nurture Therapies on 087-1267
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In 1930 a US Doctor called Dr. Jo Selby Riley, alongside
his wife began with Dr. Fitzgerald’s findings. They were joined by their
assistant in their research, a Physiotherapist called Eunice Ingham. Through
much testing they began concentrating on the hands & feet understanding
their sensitivity. Eunice Ingham travelled all over the US, adapting her
methods and teaching her findings of this new Foot Therapy. Later re-naming the
therapy to ‘Reflexology’. Ingham, took the concept further by researching
positioning and effects of certain points ultimately leading to an anatomical
map of the body being overlaid onto the foot. In 1938 she published her works
in “Stories the feet can tell” and later followed with another book “Stories
the feet have told”.
Reflexology finally came to the UK in 1960’s with one of
Ingham’s students a lady called Doreen Bayley.
