Reflexology

Reflexology is the relationship between areas of the bottom of the feet to the whole body through pressure points and massage. 

It's more than a foot massage too, it studies the story of the health of the body and applies intricate pressure maneuvers to attend to ailments.  Setting aside time for a foot massage can help get the weight off the feet and nurse sore muscles but a specific foot massage like Reflexology can find tender spots that may reflect a disease or emotional baggage. With the language of Reflexology, one could read a life’s story just from the bottom of the foot.

Throughout history, there are many depictions of tending to the body by massage and especially the feet. The standardization of Reflexology began in the early 1900s when physicians and physical therapists noticed that putting clothes pins on the tips of the fingers would numb facial regions. One of the founders, Eunice Ingham wrote “The Stories Our Feet Tell” as a reference guide to how the feet reflect the structure of the whole body. 

She explains that reflex zones are the nerve points that communicate with other distant parts of the body. Then massage can enhance circulation to transport nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste. Deposits of uric acid and sedimentary materials can build up and cause blockages but any disturbance in the body can be healed with better circulation.

Before going into all the microregions of reflexology, it’s helpful to understand the major zones. Take note of the first purple drawing with arched lines across the bottom of the feet that line up with the upper portion of the body. Notice how the toes align with the head, it is suggested that each toe reflects different areas of thought. Between each toe, draw a line down and these create zones to help find specific points.

Also looking at the knuckles on the top of the feet can help with balance. These points are called Gait Points and are like a cat’s whiskers that track perceptions from the ground to keep balance. Since balance is guided through many parts of the body, this is also known as the brain-foot connection.

Examine how you walk and you may find spots that relate to physical troubles of your mind and body. How you carry yourself reflects the history of your life and the manifestation of your thoughts.

If you can manage to find a comfortable position to grab hold of your feet, you can start exploring the different areas for yourself. Be gentle where you feel tender spots and investigate how they may correlate. A quick 10-minute self-massage can help bring life back into your feet. My sore spots are in the bottom center of the balls of my feet where the solar plexus region is which matches the pain I feel.

After centuries of observation, Reflexology maps the mind and body to the bottom of our feet. If you’re interested in more connections, there are other Reflexology maps for the hands and face too.

Our feet help us stand, walk, and dance around so show some appreciation to help relieve tension, learn about the whole body, and get them ready for the next adventure.

December 23, 2022