Reflexology in Brief

In the West, the concept of reflexology began to emerge in the 19th century with European and Russian research on the nervous system. The ideas of reflex use for health improvement were carried on sporadically and brought to American in 1909 by Dr. William Fitzgerald, an eye-ear and nose specialist from Connecticut. Physiotherapist Eunice Ingham is credited with developing a system of reflex areas by 1938. At that time, reflex therapies were created as medical practices but were soon eclipsed by use of new surgical procedures and drugs. In the East, ancient Chinese techniques were re-discovered in the 1980s and have spread throughout Asia creating today's reflexology-rich environment with reflexology paths in parks and a thriving reflexology industry of practitioners, businesses and research. How does reflexology work? Reflexology involves applying pressure techniques to the feet or hands. These points interact as a part of the body's nervous system, creating relaxation, improved circulation, exercise of the nervous system and, we also must not forget, the benefits of touch itself. Pressure sensors in the feet and hands are a part of the body's reflexive response that makes possible the ‘fight or flight’ reaction to danger. Feet ready to flee and hands ready to fight, they communicate with the body’s internal organs and create the sudden adrenal surge that enables a person to lift a car, as an example of this co-ordinated activity. The perception of pressure by the feet and hands taps into the reflex network that makes possible our every move. Reflexology, consistently applied, provides an exercise of these pressure sensors and thus a conditioning of the internal organs to which they are inextricably tied. What are the benefits? Research has shown the specific techniques of reflexology are effective and beneficial in many ways.