“When I walked away from her combination of Swedish massage and reflexology, I felt better that I had in years ...” Reflexology is used to diagnose and treat problems, reduce pain, stimulate circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid, and promote relaxation. It is also considered useful for conditions too sensitive and painful for a massage therapist to touch the actual injured or ill area, because they can work on the injured area from its corresponding points in the feet. Egyptians received foot treatments from ancient physicians over 4,000 years ago. Florentine sculptor Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571) used a form of hand and foot massage with success to treat his entire body. There is historical evidence of similar types of hand and foot bodywork therapy from China, India, North Africa, Native America and Russia. But the ultimate in foot treatments is the modern approach to good health throughout the body by accessing the feet: Reflexology. Reflexology is based on the theory and research surrounding the application of pressure to certain areas of the body – primarily feet, but also on the ears and hands – to manipulate specific reflex areas. These reflex areas are connected to the other parts of the body; organs, spine, etc. For example, the reflexologist can stimulate the spine and encourage its healing by putting pressure on the interior edge of the foot. Reflexology is used to diagnose and treat problems, reduce pain, stimulate circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid, and promote relaxation. It is also considered useful for conditions too sensitive and painful for a massage therapist to touch the actual injured or ill area, because they can work on the injured area from its corresponding points in the feet. Because almost everyone likes their feet massaged – regardless of whether they like other forms of massage – reflexology is a wonderful beginner’s massage. But besides being relaxing, reflexology reads a very sophisticated map and history of the whole body. Every part of the foot, hand and ears corresponds to a part of the whole body. When the therapist manipulates one part of the ‘zone’ – the region of the foot which extends to other parts of the body – he or she manipulates the whole zone. Some self-treatment is also possible. Most people can reach their own feet with little if any trouble (avoid this if you have a knee, lower back or hip injury), and virtually anyone can work on their own hands anytime. There are points of the hand where some reflexologists claim you can use pressure to stop a heart attack, help drain the sinuses, or even digest lunch. A variety of books teach and illustrate the technique needed to self-treat between massage appointments. You can also ask your reflexologist for ‘homework’. Many foot and hand charts that illustrate which areas correspond to which organs can be purchased or found for free on the Internet. My first experience with reflexology occurred ten years ago. I had just finished more than a year of rehabilitation and physical therapy after a car accident. My healing had hit a plateau and I was not happy with the level of pain and inhibited motion I had to endure. While visiting Croatia, a family friend – a massage therapist – offered to give me a massage to assist with pain and realignment of my body. She began with a reflexology body reading. I blush to admit that I thought it was nonsense, but I always liked having my feet worked, so I said nothing. I learned within a few minutes that I was entirely wrong! Not only did the therapist recognize every injury from which I currently suffered, she spotted the old ones. “Somethink viss za left knee,” she said, “Ah, but zsis is old. Not so important now?” I suddenly remembered my fall on a stone fountain and was about to tell her about it when she hit a very painful spot. “Lumbar four, five,” she announced. “And ze neck?” She imitated a whiplash injury in slow motion. In all, she found my residual damage from Bell’s Palsy eight years prior, knew that I’d had wisdom teeth removed (not always done outside of the US), and asked if I had just had a sinus problem. She was correct on every count, and without touching any part of me but my feet! Needless to say, I was sold on the technique. She proceeded to work on the rest of me, but I felt much better just from the reflexology treatment. In fact, most reflexologists don’t do anything but work on the feet, and to a lesser extent the hands and ears. Many ailments can be treated without ever touching other parts of the body. When I walked away from her combination of Swedish massage and reflexology, I felt better that I had in years – before and after the accident. My body was relaxed, and I felt I had addressed old wounds as well as the more recent ones. I may have forgotten them, but my body had not. A reflexology session usually lasts 30-60 minutes, and cost upwards of $1.00 per minute. Make sure you are getting a reflexologist with a thorough background in the modality. For more information check out the following web sites: International Academy of Advanced Medical Reflexology www.reflexology.net Association of Reflexologists, UK www.reflexology.org [Note: Photos courtesy of The Association of Reflexologists www.aor.org.uk]