Reflexology was practiced in ancient China, Egypt and India. However, it didn’t reach the West until the early 20th century where it was initially known as zone therapy. It uses the same principles as acupuncture.
Reflexology can be worked on the feet or hands and, by focusing on these areas as micro systems reflecting our entire body, it may enhance our natural defence systems.
Practitioners use a map of the feet to demonstrate how certain points on the foot are specifically related to other parts of us. Each of our hands and feet contains over seven thousand nerve endings. All of the main body systems, the nervous system, the endocrine system, the reproductive system etc can be worked on with reflexology, whether the body requires stimulation or a lessening of its function.
Clients can either be relaxed or stimulated by a reflexology session., but the overall effect may be an improvement in blood and lymph flow through the body with a corresponding improvement in general overall health.
As a complementary or alternative medicine, the usefulness of this therapy is now recognised by the NHS and its popularity is growing .