In 1917, William H. Fitzgerald, considered to be the father of reflexology, wrote about ten vertical zones with a length extending that of the body. He also found that during minor surgeries, applying or putting pressure to a specific zone that corresponds to the injury’s location could relieve the pain.
Reflexology, also called zone therapy, is an alternative medicine that deals with specific hand and finger techniques to apply appropriate pressure to specific regions and points on the feet, hands, or ears.
Reflexology is based on the theory that our feet or hands contain specific “reflex” points or areas that correspond to specific organs in the body. Hence, pressing or applying appropriate pressure on them has a beneficial effect on the organs and person’s general health.
Reflexology is much more than a massage. Although it naturally benefits the feet and the hands, it does more by stimulating the corresponding organs. In turn, it enhances blood circulation, relaxes the body, alleviates stress and normalizes metabolism naturally.
• Tension headaches and back pain
• Digestive disorders
• Sports related injuries
• Hormonal imbalances
• Menstrual disorders
Based on a research of 170 reflexology studies, reflexology was found to have a beneficial effect on our physical and psychological well being.
• Promotes relaxation: With the use of EEG brain activity, it was found that relaxation happens as soon as reflexology therapy starts.
• Alleviates pain: Research shows that reflexology reduces pain on individuals, regardless of their age or health condition.
• Improves blood circulation: It has been found to increases blood flow in the body, specifically to the feet, kidneys, intestines and the brain.
• Benefits mental health: It was found that it can reduce mental health concerns including anxiety and depression.
• Improves health concerns: It was found that it helps individuals of all ages suffering from some 78 health problems ranging from behavioral concerns in children to health concerns among the elderly.
• Benefits pregnant women: It was observed that it helps pregnant women by making labor periods shorter and lessening the use of analgesic. In addition, reflexology exhibits a positive impact on postnatal anxiety, depression, bowel movements and urination.
• Helps in recovering from surgery: Research shows that it aids recovery from surgery by alleviating pain and lessening the need of post operative analgesics.
• Complements cancer care: Reflexology may help chemotherapy patients by easing pain, nausea, and even anxiety.
Being an ancient practice, tracing back the origin of reflexology proves to be difficult. However, some evidences — such as the inscriptions in a physician’s tomb in Egypt — show that the origins of reflexology date back up to ancient Egypt.