Reflexology

Reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principle that there are
reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to every part of the body.
Through application of pressure on particular areas of the hands or feet,
reflexology serves to relax tension, improve circulation, break up
congestion and promote the natural function of the related area in the body
to aid the body's own healing process.

The ancient healing art of reflexology has been known to man for many
thousands of years. It was first practiced by the early Indian, Chinese and
Egyptian peoples…who observed that congestion or tension in any part of the
foot mirrors congestion or tension in a corresponding part of the body.

Modern reflexology uses a therapeutic acupressure/touch technique in which
the whole body can be treated by applying focused pressure on reflex zones
in the feet and hands - it is done to prevent illness, to encourage the body
to heal by releasing blockages and improving the body’s natural immune
response.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF REFLEXOLOGY

The practice of reflexology may have a long history stemming from the
distant past. It seems in most ancient cultures there is a tradition of
working on the feet to help the body balance itself. Generally ancient
cultures have an oral tradition. However, some evidence of reflexology may
be found in art work. For instance, in Egypt, in the physician's tomb (2300
B.C.) there can be found a pictograph which may be evidence of reflexology
being applied. In Asia, several examples also have been cited. Modern
Reflexology is based on the work of two American physicians, Dr. William
Fitzgerald and Dr. Joe Shelby Riley of the 1920's and on that of
physiotherapist Eunice D. Ingham who developed Fitzgerald and Riley's
knowledge into a usable therapy, calling it Foot Reflexology and took it to
the public in the late 1930's through the early 70's.

The scientific basis to Reflexology begins in the last century. In the 1890
s knighted research scientist and medical doctor, Sir Henry Head
demonstrated the neurological relationship that exists between the skin and
the internal organs. Nobel prize winner, Sir Charles Sherrington proved that
the whole nervous system and body adjusts to a stimulus when it is applied
to any part of the body. Around the same time in Germany, Dr. Alfons
Cornelius observed pressure to certain spots triggered muscle contractions,
changes in Blood pressure, variation in warmth and moisture in the body as
well as directly affecting the 'physic processes', or mental state of the
patient. The Russians, beginning with Drs Ivan Pavlov and Vladimir Bekhterev
have also been exploring reflex responses in the body for nearly a century.

In the last 30 years, because of Eunice Inghams traveling around the country
teaching groups of people her method of reflexology (the Ingham Method) a
grassroots following of reflexology emerged in the US. In that time
practicing reflexologists have emerged, more than 30 reflexology books have
been published, and the number of magazine articles published has risen by
500 percent since 1982. Television appearances by reflexologists have
increased by 500 percent since 1988.

Today recent research studies have been conducted around the world,
including in the US, which are validating the effectiveness of Reflexology
on a wide variety of conditions. Chronic conditions seem to respond
especially well to Reflexology. In China, where reflexology is accepted by
the central government as a means of preventing and curing diseases and
preserving health, over 300 research studies have shown reflexology provided
some improvement to 95% of the over 18,000 cases covering 64 illnesses
studied. In Japan and Denmark, reflexology has been incorporated into the
employee health programs of several large corporations saving each company
thousands of dollars annually in paid out sick leave benefits.

Many of our health problems can be linked to stress. It is an acknowledged
fact by the medical community that a body trying to function while under the
influence of prolonged stress is less capable of organizing its defenses
against illnesses and repair damage caused by injury. Stress can be either
mentally, emotionally, physically, or environmentally induced. Reflexology
is primarily a relaxation technique. Reflexology can negate the effects of
stress while it helps the body relax. Through the relaxation process the
body is more capable of dealing with the stresses placed on it by daily
living and those associated with illness. Reflexology gently nudges the body
towards better functioning by improving lymphatic drainage and venous
circulation, simulation to the nerve pathways, and muscle relaxation.

http://www.reflexology-research.com/