FOOT AND HAND REFLEXOLOGY

            This procedure works on the channel system of the body.  This is the same as the acupuncture meridian system.  It is a powerful, simple, and very effective way to enhance healing and development.  We recommend spending five minutes per foot at least twice daily with this procedure.

HOW TO GET STARTED

You will need a map of the feet, and preferably of the hands as well.  Two decent maps of the feet can be found on this website in PDF format by clicking on Foot Chart 1 and/or Foot Chart 2.  Click here for a Foot Chart in a different format.  Others are available via the internet or in some health food stores.

Tools.  You may want to experiment with various reflexology tools, as described above.  These are not necessary, but some people like to use them.

TYPES OF REFLEXOLOGY SESSIONS

            I will suggest three different ways to do reflexology on yourself or on another person.  They are:

1. A general or relaxation session.  This is used to help relax the body, for toning of the body, or perhaps if one is in pain or has other symptoms for which one does not know the cause.  It is also excellent for a generalized infection such as a cold or flu, and for many other acute or chronic symptoms.
            In a general reflexology session, one does not focus on any particular area of the foot or hand.  Instead, one rubs firmly both feet or both hands, and one moves along the entire hand or foot. 

If a spot appears tense, or is tender and painful, one can spend a little more time working on it.  Often the tension or pain will diminish after a minute or two.  However, one should continue on to complete the entire treatment of both feet or both hands.  A general session usually lasts between 10 and 20 minutes per foot or hand.

2. Top of the feet or dorsal surface along the metatarsal bones.  This area reflexes to the major acupuncture meridians of the body and to the seven major physical energy centers, also called chakras in Sanskrit.

The acupuncture meridians: 

Liver meridian. The webbing, and extending back, between the large toe and the second toe relates to the liver meridian.

Kidney meridian. The webbing, and extending back, between the second and third toes relates to the kidney meridian.

Small intestine meridian. The webbing, and extending back, between the third and fourth toes has to do with the small intestine meridian.

Spleen-pancreas meridian. The webbing, and extending back, between the fourth and fifth toes has to do with the spleen-pancreas meridian.

Stomach meridian.  The outside of the metatarsal bone, extending from the base of the smallest or most distal toe back toward the heel, has to do with the stomach meridian.

These are very excellent areas to rub while doing any reflexology session.  They are often tender or painful.  Just rub them anyway.  Some people like having a little length to their fingernails to go deep along and in between the metatarsal bones.

The seven energy centers

              These are all found in a line that runs from the heel area, medial side of each foot, forward and it ends at the tip of the fourth toe.    

First center (or root center) – medial side of each foot, near the heel, about half way up the foot from the base to the ankle bone.

              Second center (just below the navel) - medial side of each foot, also near the heel, just below the ankle bone, about half way up the foot from the floor to the ankle bone.

              Third center – (or solar plexus center) - medial side or top of the foot, in front of the ankle bone, slightly toward the heel measuring from the toe to heel, and about ¾ of the way toward the medial side of the top of the foot.

              Fourth center – (or heart center) - medial side of the top of each foot, about halfway from the toe to the heel.

              Fifth center – (or throat center) - top of the foot, medial side, about 1/3 of the way from the toe to the heel.

              Sixth center – (or brow center) – base of the fourth toe, top of the foot.

              Seventh center – (or crown center) – tip of the fourth toe on the top of the toe.

3. Spot therapy. This approach focuses on a particular organ, gland or area of the body such as relieving a headache by rubbing the reflex areas on the foot related to the head and neck.

GENERAL PROCEDURAL SUGGESTIONS

            The following will enhance any reflexology session:

·           Be sure you are comfortable.  Preferably lie down, or sit comfortably in a recliner or other comfortable chair.

·           Relax the entire body.  In other words, make sure you are not tense anywhere.

·           Be sure to drink some water if you are thirsty, or eat if you are hungry.  In fact, I suggest drinking a small glass of water before each session even if you do not think you are thirsty, as it will often help the session to be more successful. 

·           Breathe deeply before and during the session.  This is less important, but may help, as well.

·           If someone else is giving you a session, let them know if they are rubbing too hard, or not hard enough.  Also, be sure to tell the person who is treating you if you believe an area needs more attention.  Tell the person exactly where to rub and how to rub the area.  This is very important in some cases.

·           Learn about some odd places to rub, such as the sides and tops of the toes.  Also, the crevices between the toes and other unusual spots will often be found to be very sensitive.

·           Sessions usually need not be longer than 10 to 20 minutes per foot or hand.  At times, a longer session is helpful, while at times, a shorter session is adequate.  Practice will help you determine this.

·           I have had professional reflexology where the practitioner first soaked my feet in warm water.  This is relaxing, and is also cleaner for the practitioner, though it is not necessary.

·           Some people like to use a little almond oil or other oil when doing a reflexology session, especially on another person.  It can make your hand slide along the foot or hand a little easier.  I do not feel this is necessary, but some people prefer it.

·           Reflexology tools.  These are usually rubber or wooden rollers, balls that one rolls under the feet, or others.  These can be very helpful if used correctly.  They are discussed in more detail later in this article.

A GENERAL SESSION FOR RELAXATION

            This is a very worthwhile daily or even twice daily use of reflexology.  Here are some tips about it:

·           The order of the session is not critical.  However, I was taught to begin with the left foot or the left hand first.  After finishing the left foot or hand, then move to the right one.

·           I was also taught to begin on the top of each foot, or back of the hand.  On the top of the foot or back of the hand only, rub from the ankle or wrist toward the toes or fingers.  Then rub the bottom of the foot or palm of the hand.  Here I was taught to move from the tips of the toes or fingers toward the feel of the foot or wrist.

·           It may help to always move in a straight lines, although once again this is not that critical in most cases.

·           Rub quite firmly, enough to cause some pain.  If, however, the person you are treating becomes tense and complains, back off a little until the person relaxes and allows the therapy.  It may take a few sessions for a person to get used to reflexology and to trust you with his or her feet or hands.

SPOT THERAPY

This requires that you use a chart or map of the reflexes on the feet and hands.  Two decent maps of the feet can be found on this website in PDF format by clicking on Foot Chart 1 and/or Foot Chart 2.  Click here for a Foot Chart in a different format.  Others are available via the internet or in some health food stores.

You can rub the areas that you feel need attention, and perhaps use the technique to relieve symptoms.  It works quickly on many acute symptoms.  Chronic conditions will require multiple sessions in most cases, and requires both general sessions and spot therapy in many cases.

Spot therapy is excellent as a remedy for headaches, back aches, poisonings of some kinds, infections, and many other symptoms such as an upset stomach, or even an emotional upset.  A few simple rules are:

- In most cases, rub the reflex area you are interested in on both feet, even if the chart shows the problem area to be just on one hand or on one foot.  This may enhance your results.

- If possible, always follow your spot treatment with a quick general foot or hand rub.  This can help balance the entire body and therefore help relieve symptoms and tone the body.

- Do not overdo a spot treatment.  Usually, several minutes is enough.  In a few cases, more time may be needed.

- Be careful not to rub too hard.  Many people press or rub the feet too lightly.  However, a few rub too hard.  The therapy should hurt a little, but not be unbearable.

Rubbing too hard can tear blood vessels, especially in older people and in babies.  Be careful not to do this, as you will then not be able to do a reflexology treatment until your hand or foot heals.  Short movements are sometimes better than longer, deeper movements for this reason.

To read the entire article, click on Reflexology.