How does reflexology work?

When there is an imbalance in one part of the body, a backache for example, we can actually feel it as tenderness or soreness in the corresponding reflex area at the feet, hands and ears. An experienced reflexologist can detect accumulated blockages in the reflex areas and by gently breaking down these blockages of different chemical types, the corresponding part of the body is likely to also experience some form of relief. Balance and health often return to the affected areas.

How can that be? What is the relationship between your neck, liver or sinuses and your feet, hands and ear? There are a number of theories on how reflexology works and most of them, in whole or in part, are valid pieces on how it works. The following are the three most common theories:

Western theory

Western medical books estimate several thousands of nerve endings (synapses) in each foot. The nerves go up the legs, interconnecting with other nerves throughout the whole body. An imbalance occurring in one part of the body hinders our bio-electrical energy flow to the reflex areas. When we are balanced and in harmony the energy can flow freely. Prolonged stress on the other hand can cause congestion around the nerve endings and hinders proper energy flow. By gently breaking down the congestions, the corresponding part of the body also experiences some form of relief. Balance and health returns to the affected area.

Eastern theory

Eastern medicine is based on the notion that the body’s vital energy force, ‘chi’, travels through known channels called ‘meridians’. When energy blockages form in the feet or hands in a particular meridian, the energy flow in that meridian slows down and the body parts along that meridian has reduced energy supply, which causes imbalance. With stimulation, as we use in Reflexology, this blockage is often eliminated, restoring proper energy flow and brings harmony to the body and its specific parts.

Zone theory

An American Doctor, William Fitzgerald, discovered during the early 1900’s that by applying pressure on one part of the body, an anesthetic effect could be produced in another body part. Dr. Fitzgerald discovered ten vertical zones, each corresponding to a toe, running up the body to the head and down the arms to the fingers. A sore spot in zone one in the foot could be an imbalance anyplace in the rest of the body in zone one and vise versa. He found that by reflexing the sore spot in the foot, blockages are eliminated in that particular zone.

Reflexology Maps

Palm view of hands

Bottom view of feet