What is Reflexology

Reflexology is a healing art that uses acupressure and massage on the feet, hands or ears to promote relaxation, alleviate pain, treat illness, and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself. Reflexology maps out reflex points on the hands, feet, and ears that correspond to each part of the body. Why focus on the feet and hands? Our feet and hands contain over half of all the bones in our bodies, as well as, 7200 nerve endings and 107 ligaments.

Modern reflexology retains a connection to the ancient Chinese, Japanese and Indian belief that humans run on “vital energy”, referred to as Chi in Chinese, Ki in Japanese and Prana in Hindi. Vital energy is thought to run throughout the body in a system of invisible channels called meridians. Achieving the proper flow of vital energy promotes good health, whereas an imbalance of vital energy (too little, too much or blocked flow) is thought to cause disease.

By applying acupressure or massage to a meridian line, a reflexologist seeks to affect the movement of a patient’s vital energy. Reflexology aims to help the body’s energy circulate effectively without blockages, stagnation or energy loss by manipulating reflex points in the feet, hands or ears. Unlike acupuncture, reflexology is noninvasive.