Reflexology began many years ago. Reflexology is believed to have originated some several thousand years ago by the ancient Chinese Therapies. An example of this can be found in an ancient tomb dating back to 2330 BC in Egypt shows a pictograph of 2 men sitting holding onto one another’s feet.

“Zone” therapy began in the early 1900’s. Zone therapy teaches that the body is divided into longitudinal zones and that the pressure point in the foot triggers an awakening within that zone of the body. For example when you have a stuff nose and you blow your nose it clears the passageway and you can breath. This is the similar result we get when we press on the pressure points it breaks the congestion.

Holistic healing is as close as your fingertips. Our feet have 7200 plus pressure points which associate with the meridians of the body. The meridians are the energy lines, which run through out the body. When we put pressure on these points we actually open the channel through which this energy or life giving force flows. The use of pressure point massage techniques will aid to kick-start that life giving current to your health.

Reflex points are the hot buttons of our body that carry energy along the meridian lines or zones of the body to the nerves and organs. The pressure stimulates and liberates the body’s endorphins, natural pain inhibitors, similar to acupuncture only with the use of pressure rather than needles.

The purpose of Reflexology is to promote balance, normalization, reduce stress, tension, heal and bring the entire system into harmony naturally, drug free.

Have you ever been frightened and felt the charge of the response of the fear as it flows through your nervous system? This is similar to the effects of pressure on the pressure points. They send a signal through out the body, often times this surge will not be felt but you will experience complete and in some situations immediate relief and results.

Reflexology History
We have the following people of medicine to be thankful to for the introduction of this holistic healing alternative for the body to start the process of healing itself.

Reflexology therapy and treatment have been traced back in history to tomb drawings found in Egypt. Hieroglyphics of early Reflexologist show two people facing one another holding onto the feet, revealing they knew the importance of using the hand to massage the foot. The history has been traced to Africa, India, Japan, and Europe. In 1582 a book on "Zone Therapy" was published by 2 doctors, Dr. Adamus and Dr. A'tatis, in Europe. Balanced health has been important for centuries.

It was Dr. Fitzgerald who became interested in the theory of, zone therapy, he introduced the procedure to the United States. He described how the body is divided into longitudinal zones. He showed how the energy is linked to the organs of the body in the particular zones. A block in this energy or disturbance in a zone could affect different parts of the body situated in this zone. He used a variety of gadgets to apply the pressure needed to unblock and stimulate the areas.

His teaching interested Dr. Riley and his colleague, Eunice Ingham who introduced the zone therapy in the 1930's. Eunice then when on to introduce "Reflexology" to the public. Only she felt that the same results would be accomplished with the use of the thumb and fingers pressing on the pressure points of the feet. She felt that the feet were larger than the hand and seemed more receptive to the pressure treatment. She developed "The Ingham Method of Compression Massage". In 1938 she published her findings and authored two books.

As Eunice was lecturing in the United States Mrs. Doreen Bayly of Great Britain heard and met with Eunice and was so impressed with the methods that she returned to Great Britain and introduced the method to England in 1960.

Conditions of the Feet

Hard Skin and Calluses
Too tight and ill fitting shoes can cause this condition.  Also improper stances where the weight of the body is not evenly distributed over the feet can cause our feet to callous and have patchy spots of hard skin.

Interestingly there are often times callous build ups over pressure point area that directly relate to another area of the body that is not in balance or may be not functioning properly.

Bunions   
An inflamed joint at the metatarsal joints of the big toe causes a bunion. This is often agitated by improper fitting shoes or in conjunction with a problem in the zones of the body related to this area of the foot. (Thoracic region, thyroid and the spine)

In Grown Toe Nails
No one wants an ingrown toenail they are painful and this can sometimes be the cause of a headache. If you think you have a toe nail that needs medical attention seek out a good doctor to help you care for it.

Foot Care  
Most important care of the feet regular washing and thoroughly drying them, gently massage in a moisturizing cream or oil, toe nails should be kept cut. Love your feet, massage, squeeze and care for them.  When the grass is green and the ground is warm go barefoot let the earth massage and stimulate the pressure points in the bottoms of your feet.

White Wolf Enterprise ~ Howling Down The Moon Holistic Healing Center: 2053 Main Unit B Durango, CO 970 259 7800