Groundbreaking research by Dr. William Fitzgerald in 1913 brought reflexology to the Western world. His work found that stroking and controlled pressure on certain reflex points promotes normal functioning of targeted organs, no matter how remote the organs are from the source of pressure. Since then, the foot's reflex points have been extensively mapped, revealing how locations of nerve endings on the foot connect to glands and organs throughout the body, like the thyroid, the heart, the liver and the stomach. Reflexologists are specially trained to recognize which parts of the foot will relieve or promote health in different parts of the body, but you can perform foot reflexology at home with similar benefits.
Heal Digestion
Step 1
Massage the center of the foot using your thumb and fore-knuckle to target the stomach. Make rolling motions and move slightly toward the instep about an inch below the ball of the foot. Increase pressure as tenderness yields.
Step 2
Massage the pad beneath the pinky toe of the right foot to stimulate liver function. Touch lightly at first. Do not massage the same spot for several days.
Step 3
Press the thumb just above the heal. Start with the instep side and move to the outer foot. Move up and down along the outside foot within a three-inch range of the heel. This L-shaped reflex is associated with the colon.
Ear, Nose, Throat
Step 1
Palpate the pads beneath the three middle toes with the fingers or with the eraser side of a pencil to promote ear health.
Step 2
Encircle each toe using the thumb and forefinger to aid healing of the sinuses. Squeeze and gently roll each toe between the fingers. The reflexology points associated with the sinus cavity are located in a horizontal ring reaching all the way around the middle of the big and pinky toes and beneath the nails of the inner three toes.
Step 3
Squeeze the base of the big toe to target the neck area and thyroid gland. Slowly work upward. This spot may be sensitive. It is better to rub lightly than too press hard.
Relieve Low-Back Pain
Step 1
Use the whole hand to rub the heel. Begin in the center and work in circles around the whole heal to promote low-back health.
Step 2
Grip the top of the foot where it meets the ankle. Rub from side to side, working up the foot about two inches. This reflex point is linked to the lower back.
Step 3
Place the heel on a baseball or something similar in shape. Roll the ball around between the floor and the heel to engage the low back and the sciatic nerve.
Tips and Warnings
- Massage gently at first, increasing the pressure slowly.
Things You'll Need
- Pencil with unused eraser
- Baseball or golf ball
References
- "Helping Yourself with Foot Reflexology"; Mildred Carter; 1969
- Dorling Kindersley Books; Free Reflexology Foot Map; 2010
- "ow-to-Do-Reflexology.com; Basic Reflexology Areas on the Foot; 2009
- Timberwave; Introduction to Reflexology; 2009
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