What is reflexology?

Reflexology is a therapy based on the fact that the feet, hands, and ears, are a microcosm of the whole body. This discovery was made in Ancient times and has been explored and refined over the centuries.

In the 1930s and 40s a Physical Therapist called Eunice Ingham mapped the body's reflexes onto the feet. Different areas of the feet corresponded with different areas of the body. She discovered that she could feel an imbalance in the body through crystal deposits in the tissues of the feet. Working on areas where she felt these crystals, or where the patient described tenderness, improved their condition.

Reflexology was introduced to the UK in the 1970s and has become an established complementary therapy used in the NHS and private practices.

There are many different approaches to reflexology, and many levels of training a practitioner can achieve. Level 5 training is the highest level available and only offered by a small number of colleges in the UK. Level 5 training includes extensive understanding of the how the body works, and different techniques that can be used to balance our reflexes.

What can reflexology achieve?

People have reflexology for many reasons. It does not claim to cure disease, rather its aim is to help the body to restore balance and heal itself.

The types of conditions that people consult a reflexologist for include:

Anxiety.
Musculoskeletal pain such as joint pain and back pain.
Arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Fertility problems.
Fatigue.
Digestive problems such as IBS and Chron's Disease.
Migraine and headaches.
Sleep problems.

Evidence

I am a scientist at heart and I like to have proof that something works. The Diploma course in reflexology that I have completed helped me to explore the research evidence for reflexology as well as work with case study clients and see them improve.