ALL ABOUT REFLEXOLOGY.. Definition, History, Principles, Mechanism of Action, Zone therapy, Indications, Contraindications

1. Reflexology
BY : DR. SATYENDRA SINGH
BNYS, MD

2. What is reflexology
• Natural healing on a principle that there are reflexes present on the soles,
palm which represents every part of the body including organ.
• Practice involves application of pressure to specific reflex points of your
palms & soles. The arrangement of this reflexes has a direct relationship to
the specific area of the body.
• It is believed that it releases and encourages the healing powers of the
body and balances biological system while relieving stress or energy
blocks.
• It is also believed that reflexology is the major source of getting relief, it
also repair the internal organs to work smoothly, through specific
meridians, energy channels & nerve zones.
• As it is believed that energy channel of human body get blocked due to
uneven diet & health pattern.

3. History of Reflexology
 Because reflexology is an ancient practice, its origin and history is difficult to track.
However, reflexology is thought to have been passed down through an oral tradition, and
possibly first recorded as a pictograph on the Egyptian tomb of Ankhamor in 2330 BC
along with other medical procedures. Reflexology symbols are thought to be recorded on
the feet of statues of Buddha in India and later China.
 Though we will see the brief history based of different countries & sources

4. History
 The Chinese classic, the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, which was written around 1,000
BC, has a chapter on "Examining Foot Method" and is the beginning of discussions in print about the
connection of life force and points and areas on the feet.
 It is believed that Marco Polo translated a Chinese massage book into Italian in the 1300s, thus
introducing reflexology and massage to Europe. In 1582, a book on an integral element of reflexology
called zone therapy was first published in Europe by Dr. Adamus and Dr. A'tatis.
 In the United States, William H. Fitzgerald, MD, who is frequently referred to as the father of
reflexology, wrote in 1917 about ten vertical zones that extended the length of the body. He found
that the application of pressure to a zone that corresponded to the location of an injury could serve
as relief of pain during minor surgeries.
 Dr. Fitzgerald's work was expanded by Dr. Shelby Riley, who developed a map of horizontal zones
going across the body and a detailed map of reflex points on the feet and hands. He also suggested
pressure points on the outer ear.
 Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist who worked for Dr. Riley, is another prominent figure in the
development of reflexology. In her research with zone therapy's pressure points, she found the feet to
be the most sensitive and responsive. She developed the foot maps and reflexology charts still in use
today and introduced reflexology practices to the non-medical community in the 1930s.
 In 1957, Dr. Paul Nogier recorded a reflex map of points on the outer ear. His work has been
expanded by Oleson and Flocco and is now being taught as part of an integrated approach to hand,
ear and foot reflexology.

5. Principles
 Body & internal organ repair itself (Naturopathy – body heals itself)
 It is completely different from foot or hand massage
 It is not the substitute to medical treatment at all
 Most of the health issues are results of stress, anxiety (energy blocks)
 It can be used as a complementary treatment
Benefits
No side effects
No invasive
Quick relief

6. Mechanism of Action
 Reflexology aims to holistically restore balance to the body. This is done by applying
pressure to certain points of the palms, soles.
 It does claim to prescribe, diagnose or cure.
 Offers a tailored, alternate means of healing to address each individual’s specific
needs.
 Emotional and physical factors are taken into account in reflexology
 It will pinpoint areas of palms or soles where pressure is applied to stimulate healing
energy. This energy flows through the body's energetic pathways to the targeted areas
of the body.
 Another theory states that sensory nerve of internal organs are spread throughout the
body & some connecting with other organs including skin. So all these sensory nerves
mainly rooting at the plantar or palmar surface which helps in enhancing the blood &
lymph circulation.

8.  The pressure points we find on hands & feet are directly connected to nervous system (as we studied)
have an effect on our glands or organs
 Therefore, reflexology heals by stimulating the body nerves & promoting blood flow
When correctly applied it produces certain effect as follows :
 Deep Relaxation
 Circulation
 Preventive health care
 Pain relief
 Lowers blood sugar
 Reduces pre menstrual tension symptoms
 Improves bladder control
 Bowel function
 Relives migraine
 Relieves mucus congestion and inflammation
 Improves kidney function
 Reduce restlessness

10. Zone therapy
 Zone therapy & reflexology are interchangeably used but zone therapy is a kind of
reflexology
 Method is same i.e., applying subtle pressure on soles & palms sometimes ears with thumb
& finger
 Done without using any lubricant such as oil
 Zone therapy is based on zones or areas which have reflexes present all over body &
illustrated in our palm or soles
Theory 1 - Body is divided into 10 equal zones (5-right & 5-left)
Reflexology
Zone
therapy

12. 6 zones theory
 Another theory states that it is a form of healing designed to balance brain & aligns spine so
that body restore itself to maximum health.
 It describes about 6 zones as similar to 6 brain centers at birth[Cerebrum, diencephalon,
mesencephalon, cerebellum & pons, Medulla Oblongata] that form in the embryonic stage of
development.
 Though this theory is not very much in practice (esp. in India )
 Glandular zone
 Eliminative zone
 Nervous zone
 Digestive zone
 Muscular zone
 Circulatory zone

14. Zone
line
&
organ
relationship

15. Indication :
• Low back pain management
• Migraine/Headache
• Stress Reduction
• Peripheral neuropathyin diabetes mellitus
• Hypertension
• Menstrual Cramps
• Insomnia
• Fibromyalgia

16. CONTRAINDICATION :
• Anycontagious skin disease ie. impetigo, scabies, chickenpox, mumps etc.
• Severepsoriasis or eczema on foot (foot will betoo sore to work)
• Anyuntreatedsevere medical condition, or acutepain (Reflexology may hidea condition which needs
medical attention)
• Anyoneunderinfluenceof alcohol or recreational drugs
• Internalbleeding
• Severevaricose veins i.e. phlebitis (Reflexology may increase pressure of blood to veins)
• Anyform of infection, disease or fever (can makeclient feel worse and spread infection to thetherapist)
• Diarrhoea and vomiting – cross infection
• Bruising on feet
• Cuts, grazes, open skin, rashes, bites, burns,fractures
• First few days of menstruation (Reflexology may makeperiod heavier)
• Immediately after a heavymeal – leave 2 hours
• Athletes foot
• Localised swelling/inflammation

17. THANK YOU