Reflexology

WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY?

Reflexology is an ancient Egyptian art of healing. Reflexologists believe that the feet map and mirror the body. There are over 7000 nerve endings in the foot and when pressure is applied to certain points on the feet it is said to stimulate the movement of energy along the nerve channels encouraging the body's own natural ability to heal and restore homeostasis (balance).

THE HISTORY OF REFLEXOLOGY

The first solid proof of Reflexology being practiced is to be found on a pictograph painted on an Egyptian tomb dated between 2500 - 2330 BC. Many civilizations have their own versions of reflexology and evidence of this has been documented on four continents: Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. The most common theory is that the earliest form of reflexology originated in China, as much as 5000 years ago.

Reflexology in the West was first documented in 1582 and was named Zone Therapy. It was only in 1915 that this concept became more widely known by Dr.Fitzgerald. In 1930 Eunice Ingham developed the pressure massage and introduced moves and techniques that we use to stimulate reflexes today.

WHAT HAPPENS IN A TREATMENT?

The treatment should be a very relaxing hour. The client lies on a reflexology chair (which is a similar shape and style to a reclining garden chair). The practitioner observes the feet gathering as much information from the color, texture, shape and feel of the foot. The treatment will begin with a few relaxing massage techniques and then the pressure points and reflexes are worked.

Clients should not be put off from having a treatment if they have bunions or corns as treatments are designed to help release any tensions or discomfort the feet may be experiencing. Warts and verrucas are respectively covered up and I ask all my clients to come with clean feet. There are shower facilities to clean last minute unwashed feet.