An introduction to foot mapping and Reflexology

Reflexology:
The practice of manipulating reflex areas in the feet and hands. These reflex areas correspond to specific body parts and organs.

Reflexology is starting to gain popularity among Complimentary Alternative/Integrative Medicine (CAM & CIM) followers and practitioners. Here is a basic introduction for anyone curious about trying it or just wanting to know what it is.

Reflexology, as the name implies, uses the body's natural system of reflexes. There are reflexes such as our muscles tensing when we're startled, shivering when we're cold, sweating when we're hot, and other actions our body automatically takes to maintain a balanced state, called homeostasis. There are also less noticeable reflexes that our bodies have in order to protect itself and maintain homeostasis. All of these reactions are caused by information gathered by the brain from anything, internal or external, that affects the body. Any of these reflexes can cause distress and, as a result, cause reactions in unrelated parts of our bodies. This is often why if we have a headache, the cause can actually be in the neck, upper back, or shoulders.

Reflexology supports the premise of a relationship between areas of the hands and feet to specific parts of the body. Study results have indicated that manipulation of one part of the body definitely affects (or causes reflexes in) other body parts and functions. This concept is the basis for reflexology. Anyone who studies anatomy as a student will learn different systems of the body such as the bones, the muscles, the organs, etc. All of these systems communicate through the nervous system and, as a result, work together. This is the very basic how and why reflexology works.

The whole goal of reflexology, as mentioned above, is to induce reflexes in other parts of the body through the feet or hands in order to bring the body back to homeostasis through the following effects:

• Relaxation- Anyone who has had a foot rub can verify that it assists in relaxation of stress and tension. Stress is an abnormal state for the body to be in, both physically and mentally, and reducing stress will automatically balance out many processes happening in the body.
• Increases Circulation- Increased blood circulation means bringing more oxygen and nutrients to all the cells of the body, improving their function.
• Increases Nerve function- By stimulating the many nerve endings in the feet and hands, nerves send information faster.
• Increased Energy- Increases available energy by revitalizing organs and glands.

All of these benefits make reflexology an efficient, simple, and non-invasive form of preventative care by being able to address all systems of the body. Many people are self-conscious about getting a full body massage or have a condition for which massage is not recommended, and by increasing the body's function, it can fight off sickness and diseases more effectively.

Foot mapping
Here is a chart showing what parts of the feet correspond to the different parts of the body. If you simply imagine two feet together to make up a body, it's easy to see that the toes represent the head and brain, the balls of the feet represent the heart and lungs, the arches represent the digestive tract, and the very center where they come together represents the spine. (Please click on the picture for a larger view.)

If you have not tried reflexology, I highly recommend it simply because it feels amazing! The other benefits speak for themselves. I have been trained in reflexology but am not a certified Reflexologist. Keep in mind that Reflexologists should never diagnose a condition or prescribe anything.