health and wellness

A natural healing art, reflexology is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to every part of the body. By stimulating and applying pressure to the feet or hands, you are increasing circulation and promoting specific bodily and muscular functions. Kevin Kunz, one of the pioneers of reflexology, puts it best –

Imagine stepping on a tack. Your whole body reacts because of something perceived by the foot. Reflexology with a full range of pressure sensors, utilizes the same body system of fight or flight to relax the body.”

Indeed, the feet and hands are more sensitive than most people realize. Similar to how we use our eyes to detect light, the hands and feet detect pressure, stretch, movement and weight distribution.

So if you rub or massage a specific part of your foot, not only will your foot feel better, but so will the corresponding body part! Here’s a quick overview on what you need to know about reflexology to give a great foot massage:

• When rubbing the ankle area, you are connected to your body’s reproductive area
• Reach down and feel the base of your heel - this whole area is related to the back bone
• When you rub the bottom of the foot, you are hitting the adrenal areas to detox the body
• The areas between the toes are related to the sinuses, eyes, ears, nose, and the facial area.
• The base of the big toe is related to the base of the neck

Reflexology works to release negative energy as well. So next time you give a foot massage, try it and see what they think!