Reflexology can be defined as follows, “Reflexology is a natural therapeutic technique, based on the principle that there are areas in the hands, feet and ears called reflexes which correspond to every organ, gland and part of the body.
Palpation or pressure on these reflexes helps to balance and normalize the function of the different parts of the body, promoting relaxation, circulation, energy and general well-being.”

To set the record straight, reflexology is NOT a fancy foot massage! It is an often unknown, misunderstood, powerfully effective healing tool which works beyond the superficial level that many people assume. From what I have seen so far, a great deal of people do not know reflexology is, which is unfortunate because it is a fantastic tool that everybody should know about! I realized the fact that reflexology is quite unknown since being in many situations where people have asked me what I do, when I reply “I am a reflexologist” they look at me dumbfounded and ask “what is that?”

Reflexology is a holistic, complimentary healing therapy which works on the whole person from inside out, working beyond physical symptoms straight to their source within the body. Reflexology helps relieve internal stresses and tension from all parts, glands and organs, thus promoting a calm and relaxed bodily state where the innate intelligence of the body can begin working to restore natural balance. This natural, balanced state of being is called homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the body’s tendency to bring itself into the natural state of balance where healing can take place.

Reflexologists believe that the whole body is divided into 10 vertical zones, and can be mapped onto the feet and hands. Subtle energy, chi, prana, vital energy, life force, or whatever name to prefer to use in reference to energy, flows through these zones, connecting all parts of the body as one. When we experience illness or stress, these zones or channels of energy become blocked, interfering with the natural flow of energy throughout the body and disturbing our wholeness.

The 10 zones are divided into five zones on either side of the body. The feet and hands are divided into five zones each to correspond with the 5 zones running on the same side of the body. The zones run vertically from head to toe and spreading down to the finger tips. The big toe and thumb can also be split into five individual zones. This is because they contain very important reflexes corresponding to different parts of the head and glands within the brain.

The application of pressure on the reflexes of the feet or hands during a reflexology treatment induces a deeply relaxing effect upon the body; releasing blocks in the flow on energy within the zones which helps bring the body back into its natural balanced state of wholeness. The Feet also contain a multitude of nerve endings, over 7200 each foot in fact! The stimulation of these nerves plays a significant role in foot reflexology. Stimulating the nerves through the application of pressure sends a message to the spinal cord and brain, which then send neurotransmitters in the form of endorphins to the organs and muscles of the body. Endorphins are chemical messengers which have an effect similar to morphine, inducing a relaxing and calming effect on the body.  

In some cases, reflexology has been known to bring immediate relief from certain conditions after only one session. One example could be sinus congestion; however, reflexologists never proceed with a treatment as if we are going to take the place of medical treatment or cure specific diseases. On the other hand, we do work with confidence, knowing that with the client’s co-operation in making the right decisions to support their healing process, a significant improvement in the condition of their health and well-being can be expected. This in turn affects the quality of their life as a whole. 

Reflexology can also help ease the symptoms of chronic conditions; however, in order for the client to experience results, a commitment toward reflexology is required over a certain length of time depending on the client and the nature of their condition. In the case of chronic conditions, more treatments are necessary because one session will not be adequate to really work into the source of the symptoms and then help ease the body back into a state of natural balance. Everyone is different and there are never two cases the same. I had success with a client of mine who suffered from eczema for a period of five years and after only three sessions of foot reflexology treatments, it disappeared! 

You do not have to have to be experiencing a chronic condition to invest in a long-term commitment to reflexology. It is also great preventative health measure if you are already in good health. Reflexology works to help you maintain a good state of health, a high level of energy and a feeling of pure vitality. Regular reflexology helps keep the body in a state of homeostasis. Being in a constant state of relaxed calmness, the body is then able to heal itself when necessary before energetic imbalances begin to manifest physically. 

Another important thing I would like to mention here is self-responsibility. Healing anything in life is the result of being responsible and taking the necessary choices to help you change and improve the condition of your life for the better. Making changes in the way you do things in life is of utmost importance, not only in reflexology but in all forms of healing.
You cannot expect anything in your life to improve unless you are consciously willing to accept responsibility for yourself and what happens to you in your life. True healing requires that you do whatever it takes to make change manifest in your life for the better. A positive way of thinking is also recommended. Intention is everything and if you begin any kind of healing process believing it will never work and that your life will never change, then I am sorry, but you have already made your decision not to heal!

So in conclusion, reflexology is not magic and it is not miraculous healing. It is simply a wonderful tool which works with the natural intelligence of the body that has always been there, just waiting to be tapped into! The human body is extremely clever, but unfortunately most people do not acknowledge that. Instead of listening to and working with the messages our body sends us, we ignore them and continue living our life with a feeling of being powerless to the symptoms of our stresses of every day demands. Why do we insist on abusing our bodies and minds through all the stresses of everyday life? We do not have to do that anymore. Why choose to live a life of pain and misery when you can try something else? Why not experience the healing power of reflexology and see for yourself? I am sure you will be amazed by its effect!