If you’re feeling out of kilter
Don’t know why or what about
Let your feet reveal the answer
Find the sore spot, WORK IT OUT!
Eunice Ingham (1879 – 1974) ‘mother of modern reflexology’
We expect our feet to work hard for us – support us and transport us, but many of us ignore those extremities or even feel quite negative about them. Yet, as Eunice Ingham’s book ‘Stories the Feet Have Told’ says, they can tell us a lot and be the medium for healing and balancing.
Over 3,000 years ago, there is evidence that the Egyptians believed the human body was a symphony of vibrations, and that the internal organs form an intricate orchestra. They also believe that these organs could be “played’ by manipulating points on the feet.
In the same way that the Chinese practice of acupuncture and Japanese Shiatsu use meridian points, Eunice worked on mapping the entire body on the feet into five zones and developed the reflex points. These are a mirror image of all the organs, glands and parts of the body linked by energy pathways.
Imbalances in the body – congestion, inflammation or tension – can be detected in the foot and may be experienced by the client as a sharp or dull pain and by the therapist as a ‘gritty’ area. This sensation mirrors an imbalance in the corresponding part of the body. Also the condition and colour of foot skin adds to the ‘picture’ of health.
By applying pressure using special manipulations with varying degrees of thumb or finger pressure, the movement of energy is stimulated along the pathways and effectively restores balance and well-being. Reflexology gently ‘nudges’ the body towards better functioning by improving lymphatic drainage and venous circulation, stimulation to the nerve pathways, and muscle relaxation
You may have ticklish feet, but the techniques used are firm and generally, most people find this non-invasive therapy treatment very relaxing so it provides benefits at a physical and emotional level. I use a nourishing Peppermint and Lavender cream during a treatment, so your feet also get some special conditioning attention.
‘Southwell Life’ – October 2006 pure green coffee bean