Whispering Hands Wellness
Professional
Reflexology
Placerville
Ca
if one part suffers, every part suffers with it;
if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
1 Corinthians 12:26
What is Reflexology?
Reflexology, an integrative health practice, maps a reflection of the body predominantly on the feet, hands, and outer ears. It uses unique manual techniques to deliver pressure to neural pathways assisting the body to function optimally.
Reflexology is a serious adjunct to the health field and should not be confused with massage therapy.
Read on to learn about how Reflexology became what it is today.
Ancient Roots
The origins of reflexology are believed to have stemmed all the way back to ancient Egyptian times as seen in hieroglyphics found in a physician's tomb in Saqqara, Egypt(above). It clearly shows the practitioners are working on the hands and feet of their patients.
Ingham Method
Reflexology as we know it today was researched and developed by Eunice Ingham(below) who was a physical therapist working with Dr. Joe Shelby Riley in the early 1930's. Dr. Riley had been working with Dr. William Fitzgerald who had developed "Zone Theory" in 1917. This theory was based on applying pressure to "zones" in the feet to relieve pain and often the cause of the pain in corresponding "zones" of the body. Eunice Ingham picked up where the doctors had left off to develop zone theory further. Eunice treated many patients with what she called "Reflex Therapy" and later named "Reflexology". She had much success discovering reflex areas in the feet which had an affect on a certain part of the body. As a matter of fact the body's "map" on the feet(seen in next section) is an exact copy of the body itself. Finding and working the body's reflexes in the feet helped to relieve an abundance of health problems through a natural reflex action that improved life giving blood flow to vital organs and parts of the body. Eunice wrote two books on all her findings and what started out as short book reviews, over time with the help of her niece and nephew, turned into training workshops. Eunice helped raise her niece and nephew from an early age. Her nephew, Dwight C. Byers, taught reflexology at the workshops as well, helped to develop reflexology even further, and went on to establish the National Institute of Reflexology in the early 1950's. In 1980, the workshops had gone worldwide and became the International Institute of Reflexology. To this day these workshops, all over the world, are being taught to keep Eunice's legacy alive and that was to use reflexology to help ease the suffering of mankind.
How Reflexology Works
There are reflex areas that correspond to every organ, gland, system and section of the body which are mapped out on the feet. Applying pressure to the reflex areas in the feet communicates with the inner body through the nervous system. This helps to strengthen connectivity between brain and body systems that may be out of balance or are suffering from stagnation. Stagnation being the lack of or limited flow of blood, our vital life nutrients. Without proper blood supply organs and body systems cannot function optimally. Reflexologists use the manual technique of thumb and finger walking to apply alternating pressure, working the reflex areas with the reflexology map as a guide. Our feet have nerve sensors that are constantly processing information and communicating with the nervous system when outside pressure is applied. This reflex action tells the brain everything it needs to know about the state of our environment so the brain can make necessary adjustments to blood supply, hormone production and firing of the nerves. When this communication happens the nervous system can navigate from flight or fight into rest and repair mode. Blood flow is improved, organ systems can repair and the whole body can achieve a state of recovery and balance. It is often forgotten how important our feet are when it comes to navigating and health. They don't just carry us, they tell us everything. Something that is accomplished by the natural act of walking barefoot. Reflexologists replicate this natural act through reflexology with the added benefit of the knowledge and intentional work of using reflex area guides to the receivers best benefit.
Reflexology Lymph Drainage
Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD) is a specialized technique that was developed and researched by Sally Kay(above) in the United Kingdom while working at a cancer clinic. The need for RLD came from patients undergoing treatment after breast cancer and struggling with secondary lymphedema, primarily in the arm. Through extensive clinical practice and research, Sally Kay found the RLD protocol had made a significant difference in reduction of volume in the affected arm of patients. RLD was modeled after Manual Lymph Drainage or Lymph Drainage Massage focusing on the reflex areas of the lymphatic system in a specific sequence to encourage proper lymph flow and drainage. The goal is to help the lymphatic system drain properly, especially in the case of excess lymph fluid gathered in an area of the body. RLD can be used for both primary and secondary lymphedema. It has also been shown to be useful for clients who are dealing with inflammatory or auto-immune issues such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines, eczema, chronic fatigue, sinus problems, and more.
Reflexology Pioneers
The field of Reflexology has made great strides through the years thanks to some amazing and gifted people.
Below are my personal favorite contributors to the advancement and education of Reflexology.
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