Reflexology is a therapy in which the nerve endings in the feet are stimulated by specific massage techniques to effect changes in another part of the body and thereby create health and help overcome disease.

Although there is scriptural evidence to suggest that reflexology was being practised as far back as ancient Egypt, the science of reflexology used today was founded by Dr William Fitzgerald, an American ear nose and throat surgeon. He noticed that pressure on specific areas of the body produced an anaesthetising effect on a related area. Developing his theory, he divided the body into ten equal zones which ended in the feet and hands.

In the 1930's a massage therapist called Eunice Ingham refined Dr Fitzgerald's zones and developed what is now known as 'reflexology'.

How does it work?

Reflexology is sometimes known as Zone Therapy as the body is divided into different zones represented by a point in the foot or hand. Nerve endings are imbedded in the feet and hands that then travel to the spinal cord and to various parts of the body. Stimulating these nerve endings thereby helps promote relaxation, improve circulation, stimulate vital organs in the body and encourage the body's natural healing processes. .

What does treatment involve?

Reflexology treatments can take up to an hour or more and usually about six weekly sessions are recommended for optimum results. A trained reflexologist will take a detailed case history on your first visit and you will then be asked to remove your shoes and socks and sit on a treatment couch, settee or special reclining chair.

The treatment involves light, but firm, compression massage to the soles and uppers of your feet possibly using talc but never oil. As the reflex points are very small the reflexologist has to be very precise. It is possible that there will be quite a dramatic reaction to the first treatment in various forms such as increased bowel movements, cold type symptoms or skin problems.

Egyptian Painting of Reflexology