Reflexology is a healing modality that uses pressure on specific points on the feet, hands and ears to treat conditions or illnesses throughout the patient's body. The practice is founded on an understanding of health based on connections between points on the extremities and bodily organs. For example, a certain point on the arch of the foot corresponds to the bladder. Applying pressure to the point affects the bladder's function.
Reflex Points
Reflex points are the basis of providing treatment; practitioners learn the position of these points and which organs or body parts they relate to. Within the field of reflexology, various traditions and schools have slightly different interpretations of reflex points and their meanings, though the practice generally agrees on a certain set of major points. During a session, a reflexologist works a range of points to address the organs or glands related to any health problems or symptoms.
Reflexology Maps
To learn the location of all the reflex points, reflexologists use maps, which depict the general placement of points along the feet, hands and ears. The mapping of points on the feet roughly corresponds to the body. The right foot corresponds to the organs, valves and body parts on the patient's right side. For example, the point that corresponds to the liver is on the right foot, just like the organ. A reflexologist usually learns the maps for the feet, hands and ears. However, depending on the type of treatment, the practitioner may use one or several of the maps. The reflex maps of the feet are similar to the "reflex map" of the body mapped onto the human brain, discovered by neurosurgeon Willard Penfield, and commonly known as the homunculus.
Reflex Areas
Between the level of points and whole maps, reflexologists work with general reflex areas. For example, the upper back corresponds to an area covering much of the back of the left and right hands. The neck also corresponds to a large area of the hands, found along the middle and lower joints of the four fingers on each hand. The heart corresponds to an area of the balls of the left and right feet, directly below the largest toes. The heart area is slightly larger on the left foot than the right foot.
Touch Over Terms
As reflexology uses a different framework than western medical science, practitioners have a separate set of terms to describe the body's functioning and their healing techniques than you'll hear at a doctor's office. However, unless you're looking into the study of reflexology for yourself, you needn't learn any additional terms or concepts to receive a session. In fact, the practice of reflexology is almost entirely physical, without oral discussion; reflexologists do not provide a diagnosis of their findings, but rely on triggering the patient's body to heal itself. In some cases, a reflexologist may advise you to seek further medical counsel; however, the practitioner does not dispense medical advice or diagnose illnesses.
References
- University of Minnesota; Reflexology; Karen Teagarden, BA, ARCB
- University of Minnesota; What Can I Expect in a First Reflexology Visit?; Karen Teagarden, BA, ARCB
- American Academy of Reflexology: History of Reflexology
- Dorling Kindersley: Reflexology Hand Map
- Dorling Kindersley: Reflexology Foot Map
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