Reflexology – The Ancient Healing Arts

THE MYSTERY OF REFLEXOLOGY

PART ONE

What a mystery Reflexology is. This ancient healing art was studied by myself at Morley College in London over 9 years ago and what I discovered was extraordinary.

How can the body be mirrored on the soles of the feet? And who re-discovered this ancient art and remarkable zone theory?

Reflexology or zone theory advanced in the early part of the 20th century from the studies of Dr William Fitzgerald. He discovered, if a certain amount of pressure were put on one part of the body it could have a direct anaesthetic effect on a corresponding part. This was the first step in developing the zone theory. He later began working with Dr Edwin Bowers and together they convinced their colleagues with their findings. (How they achieved this will be discussed in part two, when we talk about working reflexology.

Research is still being carried out as to why the mystery of reflexology works. What we do know is there are ten zones (pathways) in the body, which run from the top of the head down to the soles of the feet. Blockages obstructing these zones are usually the result of high levels of stress, which have caused problems. During high levels of stress, the adrenalin hormone is released, raising blood pressure, but also releasing glucose/blood sugar. Over a period of time deposits of glucose/blood sugar will form in the feet, known as crystals, which feel like small, hard stones.

If you begin checking out this fascinating fact, you will soon discover that whatever disorder lies in your body’s equilibrium, it will show up as a raised area or a hard crystal in the corresponding area of the foot. (Of course, calluses and other hardened areas of the foot resulting through footwear are not to be considered in the same way).

The aim of reflexology is not to diagnose, but to observe and treat by reversing the effects of stress and returning the body back to its homeostasis (balanced state). Locating the crystal deposits and working the feet gradually achieves this. (How you work the foot will be discussed in part two of this article).

Two true examples of this ancient mystery:

My first case study during my college course involved a very sceptical elderly woman who lived across the road from where I lived at the time.

During my visit, I asked her not to divulge any of her illnesses to me, as I would like to pin point these for myself. She responded with a look of ‘sure you will my dear’ and lay down on her couch in readiness for the session.

In preparation for the reflexology session, I began with a massage to both of her feet. During this time, I spotted, small, raised lumps on the instep of the right and left soles of her feet. As this energy line ran straight in the path line of the gall bladder area, I had little doubt that she was probably suffering with gallstones. In fact, I would have been very surprised if she was not.

‘Do you have gallstones by any chance?’ I asked her.

The lady sat bolt upright. ‘Yes I do, how on earth…’

I carried on in a nonchalant way and worked on this blockage…to say I did this with a tinge of excitement at this find was an understatement.

On my second case study, I was offered one of my parent’s friends. We conducted this in his conservatory where he lay down on a sun lounger. I began with the usual warm up massage to both feet. This time, I became aware of profound puffiness to the area over the top of his feet and just before the toes started. The location of the body, which corresponds with this energy line, ran straight towards the chest area.

Now this was a little more difficult to decipher, it could have been a number of problems. As this person lived a healthy lifestyle, my inclination steered away from the heart being the cause and more towards a less serious condition, such as asthma. I had to keep in mind that I was not there to diagnose, only to reveal my findings and to then advise medical diagnosis.

I asked him if he had any problems with his chest, ‘no, there is absolutely nothing wrong with me in that area, not even a cough. It’s just my shoes that cause it.’

‘OK, but it would do no harm if you get this checked out by a doctor,’ I advised.

He just nodded and walked into the lounge, a little aghast, it seemed, by my statement.

I went away quite put out that I may have upset him. There is a rule when conducting reflexology, do not worry a client and I had clearly broken this.

I began researching as to why there should be puffiness in that particular area of John’s foot, but could not come up with any explanation, other than, if there are swollen areas, then it is a definite sign of blockage. I did feel quite concerned about John, but I knew there was little I could do.

This did not get resolved for about six months. Then I received a phone call from my mother. ‘John’s in hospital, he’s had a massive heart attack.’

I was not surprised at all, especially as I said earlier, the swollen areas on his feet were very profound. However, John did go on to make a full recovery, but he never did admit that the reflexology findings could have prevented this, had he sought medical diagnosis after the reflexology.

Reflexology is a mystery, why it works, no one really knows for sure; all I can tell you is…it does work. Try it out for yourself and then decide for yourself why this ancient healing art is now recognised within the UK NHS.

Read part two – click on this

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By J Reynolds  (aka eyepriestess) (Copyright 2009 @ World Mysteries And True Ghost Tales).

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