What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a different approach to healing. It uses a unique touch technique called thumb rolling or holding points on the feet, hands and ears. The aim is relaxation, but it can also help heal specific problems in the body or organs.

More specifically, reflexology is the study, science and art of using specific touch on mini-maps that closely resemble the shape of the human body. According to reflexology theory, life stresses can result in the build-up of congestion that slow down the bioelectric flow from one nerve to another. In turn, cells do not receive all the nerve energy they need for optimal functioning, leading to health imbalances, illness, discomfort or pain.

Although common belief is that reflexology began in ancient Egypt or Asia, medical doctors in the United States and France developed the reflexology that is currently practiced worldwide. In 1917, William Fitzgerald, M.D., discovered a complete map of the body represented in the feet and hands. In other words, every part of your feet and hands correspond to some part of your body based on his vertical zone theory. In 1924, Dr. Joe Shelby Riley added his horizontal zone theory to the foot and hand maps.

In 1957, Dr. Paul Nogier discovered a complete map of the body on the outer ear. He scientifically documented a correlation between where the reflexes for the body are on the outer ear, and the shape of an upside down baby in the fetal position. Until 1983, acupuncturists mostly used Nogier’s reflex system on the outer ear with needles and electrical stimulation.

In 1983, Bill Flocco incorporated the ear reflex map into the existing feet and hands reflex maps. He called it the Flocco Method: Integrating Feet, Hand and Ear. Flocco discovered that in working all three systems, the client had more effective results than simply working on just one reflex map like the feet.

Reflexology works due to communication systems within the body. The specific pathways for messages traveling through the body could be the nerves, meridians, or zones in the hands and feet. Should any of these communication pathways get blocked due to a health imbalance, congestion accumulates in the corresponding reflexes of the ears, hands and feet. For example, if the nerves endings are congested, a reflexologist would hold or roll her fingers and thumb to break down the congestion blocking bioelectric flow through the nerves.

When an area is worked upon that is congested, a feeling of tenderness can result, underscoring the sense that something is out of balance in the body. Using a specific pressure, a reflexologist will usually spend extra time working on the reflexes to return that part of the body to a state of health and balance.

This concept of congestion is illustrated by corrosion that accumulates on the battery terminal of a car. The thicker the corrosion, the less electrical current that flows from the battery to the rest of the car; therefore, the car doesn’t run smoothly. Once the corrosion is cleaned off the battery terminal, then the car returns to normal operation. In such a manner, imagine that your feet, hands and ears reflect your body’s congested battery terminals.

Reflexology works to clean your body of congestion through the release of chemicals such as endorphins, sometimes referred to as the body’s natural opiates. Endorphins induce a sense of well-being and have natural pain reducing effects. In addition, reflexology helps to normalize body functions. That means if something is underactive, it will speed up to normal. If something in our body is overactive, reflexology can slow it down to normal.

The benefits of reflexology are wide-ranging. Some of the reported benefits include profound relaxation, pain reduction and elimination, improved circulation, enhanced oxygen and nutrient supply, and detoxification. In addition, organs, glands and other structures in the body can normalize and function more optimally. It is common for people to seek out reflexology not only to feel better, but also to prevent imbalance and maintain good health.

Footnote: Information in this article based upon Bill Flocco’s articles, “The Expanding World of Reflexology,” published in Los Angeles Resources Aug-Sept 1998; “Reflexology,” published Aug 1996; and “How does reflexology work?” published in The Good Life.