Imagine being able to support the entire body in its return to balance by working solely with the feet or hands. Reflexology is a time-honored therapeutic technique which does just that. Specific areas of the feet and hands ‘reflex’ distant aspects of the body, sending a signal to return to equilibrium. Paired with massage therapy, reflexology training offers a powerful way to address bodily stress and tension.
The benefits of reflexology are extensive and can be both site-specific and systemic. For instance, working with the area of the foot that relates to the stomach can relieve pain and increase flexibility in that area of the foot itself, as well as a produce a calming and balancing effect on the stomach.
Pain reduction, better circulation and increased flexibility are not the only benefits of reflexology. The list of possible gains also includes stress reduction, cleansing the body of toxins, revitalizing energy and inducing deep relaxation. All organs, endocrine glands, skeletal, and muscular elements of the body have reflexes on the hands, feet and ears. So the possibilities for healing are exponentially increased when reflexology is added to therapeutic massage.
Reflexology History
The origins of reflexology can be found throughout a variety of indigenous cultures world wide. According to Inge Dougans, founder of the South African Reflexology Society and author of The Complete Illustrated Guide to Reflexology, “a widely held theory is that reflexology originated in China about 5000 years ago.” On page 49 of her book, she goes on to say “Many reputable reflexologists have stated their belief in this theory even though concrete proof is evasive.”
An on-line search will also produce references to the supposed Chinese roots of reflexology dating back as early as 4000 B.C. and involving a physician, Dr. Wang Wei, who used it in combination with acupuncture to relieve symptoms. However, the earliest documented proof of the technique stems from an ancient Egyptian pictograph, dating from around 2300 B.C. Unearthed from a sacred site known as the Physician’s Tomb, the scroll shows practitioners working with the hands and feet of receivers.
In western culture, reflexology was born out of Zone Analgesia which was discovered by Dr. William FitzGerald (1872-1929). Dr. FitzGerald discovered 10 longitudinal reflex zones that traverse the body from head to toes. His research was later expanded by Dr. Shelby Riley who discovered additional horizontal zones across the hands and feet.
Dr. Riley’s work then caught the interest of a physical therapist, Eunice Ingham (1889-1974) who documented dynamic relationships between hand and foot reflex areas and specific parts of the entire body. From this research, she created the copyrighted maps upon which all modern reflexology practice is now based.
What To Expect From Reflexology Training
The basics of reflexology training are a component of most massage therapy certification programs. Each student graduates with everything they need to successfully integrate reflexology techniques into therapeutic massage, or to offer reflexology as a specific service on its own. Beyond the basics, there are also reflexology certification programs offered nation-wide by experts in the field who have developed their own curriculum aimed to provide in-depth study and master-level proficiency in this discipline.
