What is Foot Reflexology?
Foot Reflexology has been around for thousands of years, starting in ancient Egypt and China then spreading throughout the world. The basic idea behind Foot Reflexology is that the entire body can be affected by working with the feet.
There are many benefits to Foot Reflexology other than getting a great foot massage. It can help to lower stress and calm you down; in fact many people fall asleep during their session. Foot Reflexology improves circulation, moving the blood and helping to flush out toxins. It also stimulates the nervous system by sending signals from the approximately 7000 nerve endings in the foot.
Three Main Theories of Foot Reflexology
There are three main theories of Foot Reflexology, the Zone theory, the Organ/Skeletal theory and the Acupoint Theory.
Zone Theory of Foot Reflexology
The Zone Theory divides the foot into zones along its length which correspond to a similar zone on that half of the body. For example the line from the big toe to the heel corresponds to the middle of the body and head, and the thumb side of the arm. In this way the pressure applied to the foot is thought to cause an effect on the related area of the body.
Organ/ Skeletal Theory of Foot Reflexology
The Organ/ Skeletal Theory is based on the idea that different areas of the foot correspond to certain organs or bone structures. An example is the big toe relating to the head. There are maps of the feet which can vary depending on that particular artist’s training or experience. In this theory the pressure on the feet is used to stimulate certain organs or bones.
Acupoint Theory of Foot Reflexology
The Acupoint Theory is based in Chinese Medicine and uses the ideas of Yin / Yang and the Acupuncture channels. This is the most complex of the theories and incorporates aspects of the other two. The Acupuncture channels run throughout the body and each relates to a particular organ (please see our page on Acupuncture for more detail). By using the theories of Acupuncture we can balance Yin and Yang, address physical complaints as well as emotional ones and open the channels resulting in better energy flow.