The Benefits of Reflexology

Much more than a relaxing foot massage, foot reflexology is a safe, natural healing treatment that strengthens the body's natural healing abilities by de-stressing and relaxing it. It's easily learned, and beneficial to all ages.

Over the course of a lifetime you can expect to walk 100,000 miles, the equivalent of circling the earth four times.

That's a lot of pounding on the 7,000 nerve endings, 26 bones, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles found in our feet! Your ‘sole mates' deserve the pampering foot reflexology brings.

History

Evidence suggests reflexology was used as early as 2330 BC.

Modern reflexology evolved from Zone Therapy, which surfaced in the early 20th century.

Zone Therapy divides the body into 10 equal longitudinal zones running the length of the entire body, with the left thumb falling in the same zone as the left big toe, and the right thumb in the same zone as the right big toe.

In the 1930's physiotherapist Eunice Ingham took Zone Therapy a step further, developing it into reflexology as we know it today.

In addition to the 10 longitudinal zones, she added the shoulder line, diaphragm line, waist line and pelvic line lateral zones to help represent the image of the body on the feet.

What Is Reflexology

Reflexology is based on the theory that reflexology points located on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet correspond to specific parts of the body.

Stimulating specific reflexology points reduces tension and relaxes the corresponding body part, as well as increasing circulation, which helps promote natural functions.

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Reflexology techniques stimulate the nerve endings, increasing the flow of energy and promoting balance, restoring your body's natural state of health.

By applying pressure to certain areas of your feet, a reflexologist can stimulate under active areas or calm overactive ones.

Some benefits of reflexology are that it:

- Rejuvenates the body

- Is a natural painkiller

- Effectively treats stress-related disorders such as low back pain, headaches and high blood pressure

- Is effective for emotional issues such as depression, sexual dysfunction and eating disorders.

Reflexology is beneficial during times of high stress, and can be incorporated into your regular health regime.

The goal of this therapy is to unblock any congested areas and balance the body's energies, and the results will last as long as the energy flow remains undisturbed.

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