Also known as zone therapy, reflexology is an alternative medical practice in which pressure is applied to specific points on the patient's feet, hands, and ears, generally using thumb, finger, and hand massage techniques without the use of oil.
Similar to Ayurveda, Shiatsu, and acupressure in some ways, reflexology is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that are believed to reflect an image of the body no the hands and feet, under the premise that applying pressure to points on the hands and feet will result in a physical change in the corresponding areas of the body, thus promoting healing.
Reflexology is an alternative form of medicine that involves the application of pressure or the massaging of specific points of the hands, feet, and ears, usually without the use of oil or lubricants. This is accomplished using a few thumb, finger, and hand techniques.
Although contemporary techniques may differ in significant ways, the origins of reflexology are ancient, with evidence of its practice in ancient Egypt, India, and China. Aboriginal Australians are believed to have practiced a form of reflexology more than sixty thousand years ago.
The first published European written account of what would later become known as reflexology was published by Doctors Adamus and A'tatis in 1582, and entitled, "Zone Therapy." Another book on the subject was published by Dr. Bell in Germany during the same time frame.
The practice was first termed "reflexology" in the 1800s, and physicians in Russia and the Middle East often used the application of pressure or the massaging of certain points of the hands, ears, and head to relieve pain, discomfort, and tension. Dr. Ivan Pavlov and Dr. Vladimir Bekhterev were pioneers in the modern field of reflexology.
However, in the English-speaking world was forgotten or not widely known until its rediscovery by Dr. William Hope Fitzgerald at the turn of the 20th century Dr. Fitzgerald introduced reflexology to the United States in 1913, and Dr. Edwin F. Bowers carried on with his work. Others included Dr. Eunice Ingham, a student of Dr. Fitzgerald, and her nephew, Dwight Byers, who organized the International Institute of Reflexology.
In many countries, including the United States, reflexology is not considered a legitimate medical discipline by conventional standards. In the United Kingdom, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council coordinates reflexology through a voluntary system in which registered reflexologists must abide by the Council's proficiency standards. The Reflexology Association of Canada registers reflexologists in all provinces, but the Canadian government does not recognize them.
The Danish and Norwegian governments recognize reflexology, which is integrated into the national healthcare system.
There is no standard conclusion among reflexologists as to how reflexology works, although a unifying theme is an idea that there are areas on the foot that correspond to those of the body and that manipulating these can result in health benefits.
For many reflexologists, the practice is integrated with various energy therapies that hold that through the manipulation of specific areas of the feet, hands, and ears, blockages to the flow of an invisible life force (qi) can be removed, bringing the body back into balance, promoting healing. To others, reflexology is more physical, in that stress and pain can be relieved through manipulations due to the release of endorphins.
Many people use reflexology in conjunction with other treatments, while a few will turn to reflexology instead of conventional treatments.
Reflexology is considered safe when it doesn't delay conventional treatments for serious diseases or disorders.
Reflexology is often used as a complementary therapy in the treatment of headaches, anxiety, nervous disorders, sinusitis, asthma, diabetes, eating disorders, obesity, kidney disorders, penile dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, but it should not be used to diagnose or cure serious health issues or disorders on its own. Reflexology is safe and may be effective when used in conjunction with conventional medicine and in consultation with a medical doctor or healthcare advisor. It may also be used as a preventative measure and to relieve stress.
Recommended Resources
American Academy of Reflexology, The
Offering beginning, and continuing education, and certificate courses in reflexology throughout the United States and elsewhere, the school teaches foot reflexology, hand reflexology, ear reflexology, and especially integrated foot-hand-ear reflexology. The school and its programs are introduced, along with several research topics, informational articles, a blog, and a gallery of photographs. Course schedules, books, charts, and contacts are included, and the textbook may be ordered online.
http://www.americanacademyofreflexology.com/
Arizona Reflexology Association
AZRA is a non-profit professional organization of Arizona reflexologists. Founded in 2000, its purpose is to monitor laws and regulations relating to reflexology, establish standards and ethics for the practice, promote continuing education for members, promote reflexology to the public and other healthcare professions, and encourage networking and cooperation among members and other reflexology organizations within the United States and internationally.
https://www.reflexology-az.org/
British Reflexology Association, The
Founded in 1985, the BRA serves as a representative body for reflexology practitioners as a profession, and for students training in the Bayly method and wanting to learn reflexology. Its official teaching body is the Bayly School of Reflexology. There are four categories of membership: Fellow, Ordinary, Associate, and Student, each of which is defined here, along with the benefits of membership, a practitioner directory, lecture schedules, job opportunities, and a product page.
https://www.britreflex.co.uk/
Offering classes based on a holistic model that seeks peace and balance for the body, mind, and spirit, along with in-depth techniques and easy-to-follow protocols, allows students to implement what they have learned into their practice immediately. Claire is introduced, along with class schedules, an overview of the subject matter, and the textbook, "Integrative Reflexology: Theory and Practice." The instructors are introduced, student testimonials are posted, and on-demand videos.
https://www.clairemariemiller.com/
Anthony J. Porter, a practicing reflexologist since 1972, has given many thousands of treatments and lectured internationally. Many years of experience have enabled the development of his technique, some of which are adapted and refined from existing practices; others are his own unique discoveries. A member of the London and Counties Society of Physiologists, he worked at the International Institute of Reflexology with Dwight Byers. UK and international members are listed on the site.
https://www.artreflex.com/
International Institute of Reflexology
Dedicated to upholding, presenting, and practicing reflexology in a professional manner, the Institute has been presenting workshops on the Ingham Method for over sixty years. Currently, there are over 25,000 active members. The site provides books, charts on reflexology, and reflexologist referral listings, along with information about upcoming workshops, facts about reflexology, and registration forms for workshops. Staff introductions, schedules, and contacts are included.
https://www.reflexology-usa.net/
Reflexologist, Gina C. Skilton MAR
A practitioner since 1996, after studying with the West London School of Reflexology, the South Essex, England reflexologist's resume is posted, along with the services offered, which include reflexology treatments, Indian head massage, thermal auricular therapy, and aromatherapy back massage. Rates and other details are offered, and her memberships and an online contact form are included. General information about reflexology is included in a FAQ, including what to expect during a session.
https://reflexologyessex.webs.com/
Reflexology Certification Institute
Registered with the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools, the RCI is an approved provider of continuing education by the American Reflexology Certification Board and offers reflexology training courses and support to reflexology students. Program objectives, instructional material, enrollment dates, entrance requirements, schedules, and a course catalog are featured, along with student reviews, a list of RCI alumni, its address, a map, and contact information.
https://www.reflexologycenter.com/
Focused on charting the pressure points on the feet, hand, face, ear, and eye, comprehensive charts are displayed for each, which may be enlarged and are suitable for printing. For example, on the foot charts, target areas are mapped out and numbered, with the numbers corresponding to the area of the body or the body system. Both black-and-white and color charts are presented, along with charts for dealing with babies, various diseases, and training. Spanish content is also available.
https://reflexology-map.com/
VRT is a method of weight-bearing reflexology that is briefly applied to the dorsal feet and hands and is adaptable to standing, seated, and reclining clients. Developed by Lynne Booth in the early 1990s, her accredited classes have been taught to more than ten thousand reflexologists worldwide. The VRT Basic and Advanced courses are available online as self-paced e-learning. Online, book, and tutored courses are highlighted, with testimonials and contacts.
https://boothvrt.com/
