What is Reflexology?

With the arrival of our exciting new Electro Reflex Energizer. One thing is certain. . . there is much to learn about Reflexology. We recommend you pick up a copy of Better Health with Foot Reflexology, The Ingham Method, by Dwight C. Byers, Ingham Publishing Inc. and we have provided you excerpts from his work.
THE DEFINITION OF REFLEXOLOGY
The more I study and lecture on Reflexology, the more I am amazed at this wonderful structure we walk around in. The human body is a delicately balanced machine that is synergetic . . . everything working together for the benefit of all. I sometimes compare it to a racing machine which works best when it is in tune. . . each part functioning at its peak . . . all parts working in harmony to make the machine work at optimum capability.

Reflexology is a science that deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands that correspond to all the glands, organs and parts of the body. Reflexology is a unique method of using the thumb and fingers on these reflex areas. Reflexology includes, but is not limited to relieving stress and tension, improving blood supply and promoting the unblocking of nerve impulses and helping nature achieve homeostasis.

REFLEXOLOGY RELAXES TENSION
Since approximately 75% of today's diseases are attributable to stress and tension, various body systems are affected in different ways and to varying degrees. One person may exhibit cardiovascular problems, another gastrointestinal upset, anorexia, palpitations, sweating, headaches. . . to mention but a few of the myriad of bodily reactions to stress. Often in my seminars I describe tension as a tourniquet around the body's system. . . a tightening that can lead to serious consequences.

REFLEXOLOGY IMPROVES NERVE & BLOOD SUPPLY
In order to keep the body at a normal balance, it is imperative that the blood and nerve supply to every organ and gland be at a maximum. Of course, the organs and glands contribute to the overall well-being of the body, each making contributions to maintaining an efficient, full operated mechanism, but all receive their instructions from the most intricate of all networks, the nerves.

These cord-like structures, comprised of a collection of nerve fibers, convey impulses between a part of the central nervous system and other regions of the body. They are the wiring system of the house you call your body. As with any complex wiring system, a short circuit can mean trouble.

A short circuit is often caused by tension putting pressure on a vital nerve plexus or even a single nerve structure supplying a vital organ.

As tension is eased, pressure on the nerves and vessels is relaxed, thus improving the flow of blood and its oxygen-rich nutrients to all parts of the body.

REFLEXOLOGY HELPS NATURE ACHIEVE HOMEOSTASIS
Overactive glands or organs can be helped to return to normal. Conversely, if an organ or a gland is under active, Reflexology can help return it to its normally functioning level. It is important to note here that the normalization action of reflexology is never one of opposite extreme. In other words, once homeostasis or a normal condition is achieved, it cannot be unbalanced by working the area too much. Overworking can cause some minor reactions such as diarrhea or perhaps some nasal mucus being secreted (runny nose). These reactions though are cleansing poisons from the body. Succinctly, Reflexology cannot harm a system, it simply brings it back into balance.

THE ZONE THEORY
Reflexology embodies the relationship of the reflexes in the feet to all of the glands and organs in the body. Let's now discuss that relationship. Just how does one small area of the foot affect something like the pituitary gland?

Just what is the link?

This is where ZONE THEORY becomes significantly important to every Reflexologist. The zones are like the wiring in a house, the reflexes travel through the zones similar to electricity through the wires. But please note that this analogy is not to be confused with the nervous system in the body . . . reflexes as far as we know today, are not nerves.

The link from the feet to the organs and the glands in the body is a series of imaginary longitudinal lines each encompassing a zone. In order to locate the zones accurately in the arms and hands, the thumbs need to be places toward the body, the opposite of the anatomical position.

The worked zone is used for several significant reasons. There are ten zones. Easy enough to remember: one for each finger and one for each toe. Zone one starts at the thumb and great toe. These zones run the entire length of the body, from the top of the head to the tips of the toes.

It is extremely important that Reflexologists become zone oriented, so they must be thoroughly familiar with the basic zones and the anatomy associated within them. An organ or a gland found in a specific zone will have its reflex in the corresponding zone of the foot. Any sensitivity located in a specific area on the foot will signal to you that there could be congestion in that area.

It should become evident then, that by working the entire foot, you are affecting the entire side of the body, the left foot representing the left half of the body. It is important to remember another significant aspect of Reflexology: an abnormality in any part of the zone may affect anything in that zone.

ORGANS . . . THE INSIDE STORY
The body is packed with vital organs and glands which are packed on top of everything else in the body.

Start at the spine, the midline of the body, as a means of orienting yourself to the relationship between the foot reflex points and the organs of the body. Now, you have a reference point for each foot. Then use the waistline guideline for your horizontal or lateral marker. The most important body organs are located in four distinct quadrants.

The feet are a reflection of the body with all its glands, nerves and organs having distinct locations on the feet. Being sure that you are thoroughly familiar with this concept of location, makes the zone theory so much easier.

Referral Areas
The referral areas are an interesting and extremely useful adjunct to Reflexology. They allow you to refer one area of the body to an alternate area.

The right and left hands are referral areas for the right and left foot respectively. The palm of the hand is facing forward in the anatomical position. So this will make the arm bend in the opposite direction from the leg. This will orient you to the anatomical relationships.

* The palm of the hand refers to the plantar surface of the foot
* The inner forearm refers to the calf of the leg
* The bony part of the forearm refers to the shin bone
* The elbow refers to the kneecap
* The front of the elbow refers to the back of the knee
* The front of the upper arm refers to the back of the thigh
* The back of the upper arm refers to the front of the thigh

Note, the relationship of the thumb to the great toe, the thumb being in the opposite position to the great toe.

The basic reason we call these areas referrals is simply because of the anatomical relationship existing between them.

For instance, it is quite easy to see the similarity of the ankle to the wrist if we were like other animals and walked on all fours. The articulated movement of the ankle would correspond to that of the wrist for motion.

Now, suppose there were a misstep and an ankle became badly sprained. As a Reflexologist, we would know that pressure would soon build up in the area of the sprain unless immediately relieved. Naturally, the ankle is too injured to touch, much less work, so we would work on the wrist, for it is anatomically related to the ankle, a logical choice to prevent soreness, swelling or other possible complications,

A referral area is an anatomically related area which can be worked instead of, or in addition to, the affection area. This is true of all referral areas.

One way to remember this is when thinking of the ankle, refer to the wrist; when thinking of the elbow, refer to the knee, etc. Your client can be taught to use the referral areas and also how to work on their hands between follow-up sessions. this exerciser will reinforce your own efforts.

And why is all of this so significant?

For the simple reason that if you can't work an area on the foot, you can work the corresponding area on the hand, or the elbow, etc. When there is a severe injury, say, a broken leg, you then simply select the corresponding area on the arm and work that area in order to help the circulation to the injured areas and ultimately hasten the healing process. The basic reason the Reflexologist uses the foot is simply because it is one of the most pampered and protected areas of the body and is one of the most sensitive to touch. Also, the foots resemblance to the body's outline makes it easy to visualize the body on the foot.

Helper Areas
Helper areas are additional areas worked to aid the specific area of congestion. They are the reinforcements you send to aid the specific area.

For instance, a headache. You would naturally work the great toe which represents the head. To help that area, we would also work the neck, seventh cervical and coccyx reflexes as this may be the area causing the headache. A headache is usually telling us that there is an imbalance somewhere in the body.

Helper areas are just that, they are areas that when worked, help to relieve tension or congestion associated with the afflicted area. They are reflexes that may have a direct or indirect effect on the afflicted area and are the reinforcements needed to make sure you reach the desired results. You are sending help to the afflicted area.

COMMON TERMS DEFINED

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MEDIAL SIDE OF THE FOOT	is the great toe side or the inside of the foot.
LATERAL SIDE OF THE FOOT	is the little toe side or the outside of the foot.
DORSAL SURFACE or DORSUM OF THE FOOT	is the top of the foot.
PLANTAR SURFACE OF THE FOOT	is the bottom or sole of the foot
DISTAL PART OF THE FOOT	is the part farthest away from the body e.g. the toes.
PROXIMAL PART OF THE FOOT	is the part nearest the body, e.g. the heel.
BASIC THUMB TECHNIQUE	is executed by bending the first joint at a 45 degree angle while using the medial edge of the thumb.
BASIC FINGER TECHNIQUE	is executed by working with the medial edge of the finger, in conjunction with bending the first joint of that finger
BASIC HOLDING TECHNIQUE	is executed by placing the heel of the hand on the ball (metatarsal pad) of the foot with the fingers, relaxed over the toes. Push the foot back and drop the wrist. It is very important to drop the wrist because this action relaxes the longitudinal tendon.
LEVERAGE	is obtained by the use of the fingers in opposition to the working thumb or when you are working with the fingers, the leverage will be made with the thumb in opposition to the fingers. The leverage gives the thumb or fingers the strength and endurance for smooth walking.
RELAXING TECHNIQUE	are special techniques that feel very good and are designed to promote relaxation. These techniques are also used for working the relative reflex area to help improve the circulation.
PIN-POINT TECHNIQUE	is used when working a very small and exact reflex area, such as the pituitary gland or the sigmoid flexure. These are areas that have to be contacted with great accuracy in order to effective.
HOOK-IN, BACK-UP TECHNIQUE	is used when a reflex area needs to be pinpointed such as the pituitary gland, ileocecal valve and the sigmoid flexure reflexes. The medial corner of the thumb is placed on the specific reflex and instead of walking the thumb, it is pushed in and the thumb is pulled back toward the hand, then the wrist is dropped. This is a stead motion where the thumb is planted with pressure and moves slightly back towards your hand.
DIAPHRAGM GUIDELINE	is a thin muscle forming the floor of the chest at the base of the lungs and forms the roof of the abdominal cavity. The guideline to the diaphragm will be found at the base of the distal metatarsal heads where the skin color and texture changes.
WAISTLINE GUIDELINE	is found by locating the high spot on the lateral side of there foot about halfway down. This high spot is the protrusion of the head of the fifth metatarsal bone. After finding this high spot, draw an imaginary line across the foot; this will be the waistline guideline.
LONGITUDINAL TENDON GUIDELINE	is found on the plantar surface of the foot when the great toe is extended back. The longitudinal tendon (between the diaphragm guideline and the pelvic guideline) will protrude and feel like a taut band.
PELVIC GUIDELINE	is located on the medial side, at the end of the soft arch area where the heel starts. The heel itself is often darker in color and of a heavier texture. the guideline is where these two areas meet. Draw an imaginary line across the foot, this will be the pelvic guideline.
WALKING THE RIDGE	refers to where the base of the toes join onto the foot and is used when working the eye and ear reflexes.
CRISS-CROSS MOTION	is obtained by working an area in several directions, first with one hand and then with the alternate hand. Usually, you will be working at an angle across the foot from the medial to be sure you cover the whole area thoroughly. Sometimes there will be more sensitivity from one direction than from another.
CUBOID NOTCH	is found as you run your thumb or finger down the lateral side of the foot until you reach the low spot. This soft, hollow area below the waistline guideline of the foot will be the cuboid notch.
GRITTY REFLEXES	is found in the feet when you are working some of the reflexes, i.e., the neck and shoulder reflexes. They will feel like little grains of salt under your fingers or thumbs. You will have to develop some sensitivity with your fingers and thumbs in order to recognize them. Gritty reflexes are not found in all areas of the foot.
TENDER AREAS	are reflex areas that feel tight or grainy under your thumb and may provide the client with some discomfort when pressure is applied to this area. You can sometimes tell when you have reached a tender spot as the person tenses up or winces. Watching the client's face can tell you when to lighten your pressure.