What is Reflexology and how will it help me?
Reflexology is a complementary therapy widely accepted in the UK and recognised by the NHS, many GP’s and hospices. By applying pressure to the reflex points on the hands and/or feet, the blood circulation is improved, the body relaxes and organs and glands become balanced. Doctors agree that over 75% of our health problems can be linked to nervous stress and tension. Reflexology is fantastic for relaxing and clearing these blockages.
Reflexology is not a beauty therapy or a foot massage; it is a clinical treatment that has proven results. It is totally safe for people of all ages; the smallest babies, the elderly, during pregnancy and anyone undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
A typical foot reflexology treatment lasts between 45-50 minutes and it is recommended that a course of up to 6 once weekly treatments should be considered initially before embarking on a maintenance programme of 1 or 2 treatments per month. The frequency of treatments may vary depending upon your state of health and long term objectives.
Foot reflexology is by far the most popular form of reflexology practised in the UK.
The art of reflexology can be traced back to ancient Egypt, India and China. In 1913 the theory of ‘zone therapy’ was first introduced to the western world by Dr. William Fitzgerald who noted that specific points on the feet or hands were linked to other areas and organs of the body within the same zone. He also claimed that applying pressure to reflex points could influence the function of organs, glands, bones and muscles within that part of the body.
By the early 1930’s, a physiotherapist by the name of Eunice Ingham further advanced this theory when she identified and mapped out ‘reflex areas’ via longitudinal and transverse lines of the body, and developed the theory into what is now known as reflexology. Reflexology works on the body as a whole, whilst orthodox medicine tends to treat symptoms in isolation.
