Reflexology / Reflex zone therapy as used to promote health
Reflexology is also known as reflex zone therapy and uses specific points on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands to influence certain organs and to treat disorders.
Although most people think that reflexology originated in the East, modern reflexology was actually developed by an American Ear, Nose and Throat specialist Dr. William Fitzgerald in 1913. His 10 vertical zones into which he divided the flow of energy to the feet and hands were refined in the 1940s by Eunice Ingham who concentrated on the pressure points found on the feet.
This is the way the origin of "modern" reflexology is seen by the West, whereas the Indian and Chinese health systems claim to have employed the use of reflexology pressure points for more than 5,000 years.
But whatever the real origins of reflexology may be, a reflexology therapist may use pressure points on the feet, hands, ears as well as other points on the body, the main focus still remains on the pressure points found on the feet.
During a treatment session the entire foot is worked upon and when points are found to be tender to pressure, they are worked upon for longer periods to stimulate such area.
Practitioners sometimes talk about "breaking up the crystals" and this refers to the spots where a problem may be present, and instead of having a smooth skin and tissue texture, the area feels as if small crystals are present, which are broken up when massaged and worked upon.
The normal time it will take a practitioner to work on both feet would be an hour, but that would also depend on what is done for the patient.
The aim of reflexology is to result in the restoration of homeostasis - internal equilibrium where organs and glands work optimally and in harmony to help promote health and in so doing help prevent illness and disease.
Reflexology is also used with great success to relieve stress and the physical demands made on the body, as well as stimulating the immune system.
Most practitioners or reflexology therapists use some form of lotion or cream when working on a patient's feet, and often include the use of essential oils to assist in making the therapy an even more effective one.
Recommended books on reflexology 
Should you be interested to read more about reflexology, we could recommend the following books from Amazon.com:
The above is a short summary of reflexology, and is not meant to be a full discussion on the subject, but is only included in this website for the interest of our visitors and their broader understanding of holistic medicine and healing. Underneath a list of other holistic treatments:
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