 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY?
Each reflex on the foot is believed to be directly linked to the corresponding part of the body via energy pathways, called meridians. Reflexologists feel that the stimulation of these reflexes clears the energy pathways of blockages so that the organs and systems can function freely and naturally. There are 7200 nerve endings in the feet, which when stimulated, encourage the opening and clearing of neural pathways. The body is also flooded with endorphins, the body's powerful pain-killing chemicals. The definition of Reflexology from the Reflexology Association of America
is as follows: |
|
BENEFITS OF REFLEXOLOGY It is estimated that 75-90% of all illness is triggered by stress; reflexology is especially effective for these stress related conditions. One of the main benefits of reflexology is the total relaxation of the body that occurs. A reflexology session elicits the relaxation response, by putting the client into a deep state of relaxation, called the Alpha State, where healing can take place. The muscles relax their hold on the blood vessels, causing circulation to the tissues to improve. Good circulation encourages healing by Poor circulation not only deprives the cells of nutrients and oxygen, but also encourages disease by the build-up of toxic wastes. Reflexology balances the entire body. It stimulates underactive glands and calms down overactive glands. It completely relaxes the body and mind and opens the healing potential within each one of us. The body has a tremendous capacity to heal itself, and reflexology acts as a catalyst to encourage healing to take place. |
|
HISTORY OF REFLEXOLOGY Reflexology is an ancient art of healing. No one culture can claim to have discovered reflexology because different forms of working on the feet for health have been used by people all over the world since the beginning of time. The oldest record of a reflexology session was discovered in Egypt about 2500 B.C. This was an ancient Egyptian papyrus scene from the tomb of an Egyptian physician showing medical practitioners using hand and foot reflexology. Foot reflexology was also known in ancient India about 5000 years ago where there are found in paintings and foot carvings ancient symbols on the feet corresponding closely to various reflex points. Then as Buddhist monks traveled from India to China, reflexology is believed to have traveled with them to be used along with China's own traditional foot massage techniques. In Europe, a form of reflexology called 'zone therapy' was practiced. Zone therapy relieves pain and stress with the application of pressure to zones of the body causing a reflex action to occur in another part of the same zone. A book was written on this subject by Drs. Adamus and A'tatis, in 1582. More recently, in Britain, in the late 1800's, Dr. Henry Head, after
years of clinical research, conclusively proved the relationship
between the nervous system and the skin and internal organs. In Aphasia
and Kindred Disorders, he writes, "The bladder can
be excited to stimulation by stimulating the sole of the foot…"
Meanwhile, in Germany, in the late 1800's and early 1900's, "reflex massage" was becoming known from certain massage techniques. Dr. Alphons Cornelius "was probably the first to apply massage to reflex zones…". Several other German physicians made contributions to this field, showing that pressure applied to different parts of the body could affect healing. Then in 1974, Hanne Marquardt, after training with American physiotherapist, Eunice Ingham, took German zone therapy one step further using pressure applied only to the feet The Russian's work with reflexology began from a psychological perspective, with Pavlov's work on conditioned reflexes, in which there is a "simple and direct relationship between stimulus and response". In 1932, Dr.Bekhterev published General Principles of Human Reflexology and later founded Leningrad's Brain Institute. The Russians pursued the study of reflexology both from the psychological and physical view, and have found reflexology to be an effective complement to traditional medicine. In the Americas, ancient folk medicine is the root of the practice of massaging the reflex zones of the feet. It was used by the Red Indian tribes and was possibly passed down to us by the Incas. "Throughout America, there is a strong tradition of foot work amongst the Indian tribes…". It was used in the Cherokee nation both for healing and for sacred ceremonies. In the early 1900's, Dr. William Fitzgerald discovered zone therapy and researched its effectiveness with his patients, in 1915 publishing an article entitled "To Stop That Toothache, Squeeze Your Toe." Unfortunately, Dr. Fitzgerald's work evoked strong disapproval from most other physicians, until Dr. Joe Selby Riley. Dr. Riley and his wife Elizabeth learned the therapy from Dr. Fitzgerald, and were the ones credited with bringing this science to light in modern times. The person who was credited with bringing reflexology to the foreground in the United States was Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist who worked with Dr. Riley. In 1938, after much research, she wrote Stories the Feet Can Tell, and traveled up and down the East Coast giving seminars in which she worked directly on people's feet. Her work resulted in the creation of the International Institute of Reflexology, operated by her nephew Dr. Dwight Byers and is called the "Ingham Method". Material from Refxology, Art, Science, and History *See information on the
|
|
REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH At this time, reflexology is popular in many parts of the world. Most research has been done overseas, with published studies in China, Denmark, Russia, and the United Kingdom. There is one study done so far in the United States on PMS in the American Obstetrics and Gynecology Journal, 1993, which showed both physical and psychological symptoms helped by reflexology. Other areas in which studies have shown reflexology to have benefits
are as follows: This information has been taken from REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH PROJECT, by Kevin and Barbara Kuntz, reflexology-research.com/ |
|
THE UNIVERSAL METHOD OF REFLEXOLOGY In 1997, I started my Reflexology training with an internationally certified therapist and teacher named Elaine Gordon. She had recently emigrated to the United States from South Africa and started the Center for Universal and Holistic Studies (now the Center for Universal Reflexology) in Worcester, MA. (There are now centers also in Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey). Elaine's warm, wonderful, inspiring teaching introduced me the Universal Method of Reflexology. I did not know then that this was a unique system, started by another incredible, intuitive, and knowledgeable woman named Chris Stormer. Elaine's training in reflexology was begun in Southern Africa, under reflexologist Chris Stormer. Chris pioneered the Universal Method of Reflexology and started the Reflexology Academy of Southern Africa in 1989. She soon gained international recognition, and travelled extensively to present worldwide seminars and papers. During the next 11 years, she authored five books, five foot and body charts, two videos, and a set of audio tapes. I was honored to meet Chris and to study "The Language of the Feet" with her at a workshop in Worcester in 1998. The Universal Methodof Reflexology differs from The Ingham Method in that it is a very gentle working of the feet. We don't believe in stressing an already stressed person by using a touch that would bring discomfort to the client. It is a wonderful, safe, caring form of reflexology that balances all the body's systems and energy flow, creates a deep state of relaxation, and nurtures mind, body, and spirit. |
|
|
