Reflexology, also called zone therapy or reflex therapy, is the practice of using massage to apply pressure to specific points on the hands and feet. The theory behind reflexology is that the reflex points in your hands and feet correspond to specific organs and body functions, and that stimulation of these points can have positive health effects and balance energy flow throughout your body.
History
Reflexology's roots are commonly traced to ancient China and Egypt, with references to reflexology inscribed the Egyptian tomb of Ankhamor in 2330 B.C. The father of modern reflexology is considered to be William H. Fitzgerald, who, in 1917, mapped the body into 10 zones. However, the American Reflexology Certification Board credits Eunice Ingham for the current popularity of reflexology. In the 1930s she modified Fitzgerald's maps to include reflex points, and traveled across the country creating a "grassroots following" of reflexology.
Benefits
The American Cancer Society explains that some reflexologists believe "energy travels from the foot to the spine, where it is released to the rest of the body," and that reflexology dissolves uric acid crystals, detoxifying the body and releasing endorphins. Reflexology can also be used to relieve tension in the hands and feet, which in turn relaxes the entire body. Other purported benefits include relieving pain, increasing circulation and decreasing anxiety.
Reflex Points
To practice reflexology, charts of the hands and feet are created that locate the reflex points as well as body parts they correspond to. In reflexology, the left hand and foot corresponds to the left side of the body, and the right hand and foot reflect the right side. Other common reflex points include the toes and fingers, which correspond to the head and neck, the inside of the hands and feet, which reflect the spine, and the balls of the feet, which correspond to the heart and lungs.
Practice
Sessions with a professional reflexologist usually range from 30 minutes to an hour. You sit or lay on a table while the reflexologist conducts a preliminary diagnosis by asking questions and examining your hands and feet. Then she uses massage, without lotion or oils, to work on specific reflex points. Often tenderness or tingling in other body parts occur during the treatment. You can also try reflexology at home with the aid of a hand and foot chart.
Research
Research into the medical benefits of reflexology is ongoing. According to the University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing, studies in Denmark have concluded that companies offering reflexology to their employees see a decrease in sick days and medical leave. Moreover, a third of employees cited greater job satisfaction after regular appointments with the company's reflexologist.
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