Reflexology is a type of alternative therapy that has been used for centuries. As opposed to many types of conventional medical treatment, a reflexologist focuses on massaging parts of the feet and the hands in order to achieve results. In this article, well be reviewing some of the history of reflexology so that you can get a good idea of where the practice came from and where it is going.
Many feel that reflexology actually had its roots in ancient Egypt, as inscriptions found in the tombs of physicians appear to seem suspiciously like they pertain to reflexology. Experts in the field believe that the practice was taught to the ancient Egyptians by the Roman empire. Whatever the case, reflexology has been traditionally used in Asian countries, as well.
As far as modern day times go, reflexology was first brought to the publics attention around the year of 1917, when a man named Dr. William H. Fitzgerald published a book on Zone Theory, which contained many of the basic ideas that would lead to our modern understanding of reflexology. In the book, Fitzgerald stated that many of the problems that individuals have with pain are a result of a dysfunction of the body that can be aided via the manipulation of special pressure points or zones located throughout the body. He stated that by manipulating one part of the body, another part of the body might feel an anesthetic effect. Fitzgeralds works would be improved upon in the 1930s by a woman named Eunice D. Ingham, a physical therapist who stated that the reflexes that were located within the feet mirrored the organs of the body to a large degree. This idea created much of the basis of modern reflexology as we know it today. She created a basic system that could be used for individuals to practice reflexology on themselves or on other people, creating the first uniform treatment plan of reflexology. She continued to spread her knowledge of the procedure, touring throughout the rest of her life to help to bring reflexology to the masses. To this day, many people continue to follow
These days, more and more people are beginning to see the merits that reflexology can offer when it comes to helping to get over various symptoms. Hospitals and HMOs have begun to employ reflexology practitioners in order to provide a more complete service for their patients. Some insurance companies have begun to cover reflexology therapy on their plans, a clear sign that the procedure can be of merit when it comes to helping individuals to overcome problems with both the body and the mind. For all that we know about the procedure, however, there is still a lot that we have to learn. While we know that reflexology can be effective for treating problems, there are many conflicting viewpoints regarding exactly how the procedure works. The number of reflexology practitioners in the United States and abroad continues to grow, and in the future, we will hopefully have some better indications of how the reflexology procedure works to help the body so we can make the procedure even more useful than it already is.

Reflexology is a type of alternative therapy that has been used for centuries. As opposed to many types of conventional medical treatment, a reflexologist focuses on massaging parts of the feet and the hands in order to achieve results. In this article, well be reviewing some of the history of reflexology so that you can get a good idea of where the practice came from and where it is going.
Many feel that reflexology actually had its roots in ancient Egypt, as inscriptions found in the tombs of physicians appear to seem suspiciously like they pertain to reflexology. Experts in the field believe that the practice was taught to the ancient Egyptians by the Roman empire. Whatever the case, reflexology has been traditionally used in Asian countries, as well.
As far as modern day times go, reflexology was first brought to the publics attention around the year of 1917, when a man named Dr. William H. Fitzgerald published a book on Zone Theory, which contained many of the basic ideas that would lead to our modern understanding of reflexology. In the book, Fitzgerald stated that many of the problems that individuals have with pain are a result of a dysfunction of the body that can be aided via the manipulation of special pressure points or zones located throughout the body. He stated that by manipulating one part of the body, another part of the body might feel an anesthetic effect. Fitzgeralds works would be improved upon in the 1930s by a woman named Eunice D. Ingham, a physical therapist who stated that the reflexes that were located within the feet mirrored the organs of the body to a large degree. This idea created much of the basis of modern reflexology as we know it today. She created a basic system that could be used for individuals to practice reflexology on themselves or on other people, creating the first uniform treatment plan of reflexology. She continued to spread her knowledge of the procedure, touring throughout the rest of her life to help to bring reflexology to the masses. To this day, many people continue to follow
These days, more and more people are beginning to see the merits that reflexology can offer when it comes to helping to get over various symptoms. Hospitals and HMOs have begun to employ reflexology practitioners in order to provide a more complete service for their patients. Some insurance companies have begun to cover reflexology therapy on their plans, a clear sign that the procedure can be of merit when it comes to helping individuals to overcome problems with both the body and the mind. For all that we know about the procedure, however, there is still a lot that we have to learn. While we know that reflexology can be effective for treating problems, there are many conflicting viewpoints regarding exactly how the procedure works. The number of reflexology practitioners in the United States and abroad continues to grow, and in the future, we will hopefully have some better indications of how the reflexology procedure works to help the body so we can make the procedure even more useful than it already is.

Reflexology is a form of treatment started by the ancient Chinese in centuries past. It was found that by stimulating specific reflexes of the feet and hands, you could not only bring healing to the body, but could cleanse the body of common toxic substances and even parasites. Reflexology was brought to the West in the early 1900s and has been proven to be a very successful therapy for most sicknesses and diseases.

So why is this technique so beneficial on babies and children? The biggest reason that reflexology is so beneficial to children is that they do not have years of toxic buildup in their systems. Furthermore, they have not yet been programmed to societies way of handling sickness. When the mind is more receptive and does not contain the boundaries that many adults have, it is understood that the body works more effectively and efficiently. Moreover, practicing reflexology on your baby is a great way to bond, stimulate and provide the tender touch that actually promotes health.

If you are curious as to what types of problems reflexology can alleviate in babies and children, here is a list I have compiled. Keep in mind that it is just a sample list and in no way represents everything that reflexology can benefit.

Ear infections
Teething pain
Asthma
Colic
Allergies
Constipation & tummy problems
Childhood eczema
Colds and flu symptoms
Sports related injuries
Respiratory infections
Depression and other emotional problems
Hyperactivity & auditory problems
Learning and concentration challenges
Acne and psoriasis
And many more

You may be asking how to do it safely and effectively. First of all, I would recommend that you seek the advice and expertise of a trained reflexologist. If you simply want to try the techniques for yourself without formal training, keep in mind that when applying pressure to an infants foot, it should be done with a gentle forward creeping motion.

If you want basic instructions on where to start, check out the information at universalreflex.com. The following instructions are directly from their website.

Start on the sole of the right foot start at zone 5 and work heel to toe, then move over to zone 4 and work heel to toe, then zone 3, 2 and finally zone 1. Remember to work the inner aspect of the foot, which relates to the spinal reflexes. Stay on the same foot and follow exactly the same procedure - gentle pressure working from heel to toe, again starting at zone 5 and moving across to zone 1. Finish off by gentle stroking of the entire foot. Move over to the left foot and carry out the same routine.

Because baby’s feet are so small, the procedure can be carried out once or several times and the entire session can be as short as a couple of minutes to just over five minutes. The golden rule is little, lightly and often! Better to give many two-minute sessions than one long one - or none at all!

Reflexology is a certain type of alternative treatment that many people choose to undergo in order to help them to feel better from suffering from many different symptoms. It is quite unique in terms of its methodology; reflexology is often performed by a practitioner who massages certain areas of the feet and the hands in the hopes that a different part of the body will be affected. Reflexology charts are used in order to determine which areas of the feet and the hands pertain to which parts of the body. Many people wonder about exactly how effective reflexology can be in terms of treating illness, so in this article, well study some research that has been conducted in the past in order to determine if reflexology is a practice that is worthy of your time.
Traditionally, reflexology has been practiced in Asia for centuries. One study that has been conducted in order to weigh the efficiency of reflexology was the China Reflexology Symposium Report, which was composed in 1996. Over eight thousand separate cases of reflexology treatments were consulted in order to draft the report, and the findings stated that reflexology massage involving the feet was useful almost ninety four percent of the time for treating sixty three different types of disorders. The report further stated that approximately forty eight percent of all of the cases that were examined resulted in the condition being completely cured by reflexology, while in about forty five percent of the cases, the symptoms were improved but not completely healed.
A separate study, conducted in Britain involved the study of fifteen different women who received half-hour long reflexology treatments for a period of eight weeks. After the study was completed, it was shown that the women that were test subjects stated that they had noticed physical and emotional improvements in their life, with an increased sense of self esteem and a better sense of concentration.
Many other studies have been conducted across the world, many of which have stated that reflexology has marked benefits for the individuals who are partaking in it. A study conducted by the American Cancer Society Journal showed that approximately one out of three individuals with cancer underwent reflexology therapy as an alternative form of medicine. Studies in Australia and South Africa have shown that reflexology can be a useful methodology for an anesthetic effect when an individual has arthritis, neck or back pain, or headaches. Other studies have measured reflexologys efficiency when it comes to helping diabetics to reduce their insulin levels as well as blood flow to the feet.
Without a doubt, reflexology has been proven to be useful for many different problems that people can have with their health. More studies will be conducted in the future as we continue to learn more about this exotic alternative therapy. If you are thinking about visiting a reflexologist, be sure that you do as much research as possible in order to discover exactly how the therapy can be of benefit to you.

With all of the different types of alternative medical treatments that are out there, it can be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. There are some types of alternative treatments that can easily be dismissed as pseudoscience, with no real positive effect on the human body. Other types of treatments, however, may seem outlandish when compared to the techniques used in western medicine, but in all actuality can be very helpful when it comes to helping you to get over a type of illness. In this article, well focus on the alternative therapy known as reflexology, giving you a basic idea of how effective the treatment is by giving you some statistics that have been collected regarding the practice.
Reflexology is a type of treatment that involves the manipulation of certain pressure points and nerve endings that are located in the feet and hands in order to achieve a specific effect elsewhere in the body. There are several thousand nerve endings in each foot, which mean that they can be helpful when it comes to treating pain elsewhere in the body. Different parts of the feet correspond to different parts of the body due to the presence of certain nerve endings, and reflexologists work to manipulate these points in order to interrupt stress patterns that may be built up within the body. The result is a soothing feeling which often results in an anesthetic type of effective when it comes to pain relief. The American Medical Association has stated that a full eighty five percent of all illness is a result of stress, illustrating exactly how effective reflexology can be when it comes to helping the body to deal with problems that it may be having. Reflexologists contend that by fully relaxing the body through reflexology, it will be much more likely to be able to heal itself on its own. Without a doubt, reflexology has been shown to be immensely useful when it comes to treating pain. A study that was conducted by the American Cancer Society Journal in 1998 showed that a full one out of three cancer patients turn to reflexology in order to relieve the pain that they are experiencing. There are many different types of symptoms that reflexology can help with, and a study conducted in China in 1998 showed that of 20,000 documented cases of patients using reflexology to treat certain symptoms, a full fifty percent found success.
As we learn more and more about reflexology, we have begun to accept it as a legitimate medical practice in the United States. The demand for reflexology practitioners continues to grow by the year, and with 117 out of 125 medical schools in the United States offering courses in complementary and alternative medicine in 1997, it is clear that reflexology is a type of treatment that isnt going anywhere anytime soon. Odds are, you can find a qualified reflexologist near where you live, and you may want to consider paying a visit in order to see if this novel type of therapy is right for you.

Hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Disorder and Depression are the most common childhood ailments among children today. Moreover, prescriptions for anti-depressants for kids are commonplace. What doesnt make sense to me is that mental and emotional problems have always existed. What did our ancestors do when they felt depressed? I will tell you one thing, it wasnt at all what we do today. In our society today, one that relies heavily on chemically laden prescription drugs, psychotherapy and surgical procedures to heal the sick, there has never been a better time to look into treatment alternatives. If you have children with behavioral problems, or children that tend to catch a new cold each time the wind blows, it may be time for you to look at reflexology as an alternative or supplemental treatment.

Reflexology is a form of treatment started by the ancient Chinese in centuries past. It was found that by stimulating specific areas of the feet and hands, you could not only bring healing to the body, but could cleanse the body of common toxic substances and even parasites. Reflexology was brought to the West in the early 1900s and has been proven to be a very successful therapy for most sicknesses and diseases.

So why should this technique be used on children? It is of course, because it works. However, one of the biggest reasons that reflexology is so beneficial to children is that they have not yet been programmed to societies way of handling sickness. When the mind is more receptive and does not contain the boundaries that many adults have, it is understood that the body works more effectively and efficiently.

If you are curious as to what types of problem reflexology can alleviate in children, here is a list I have compiled. Keep in mind that it is just a sample list and in no way represents everything that reflexology can benefit.

A Note about Ear Infections: There are many ways to cure an ear infection without the use of antibiotics; one of those methods is reflexology. In my opinion, antibiotics are prescribed way too much. I have cured my own kids ear infections quickly and easily. In fact, I even wowed my doctor a few times.
Teething pain
Asthma
Colic-There is documented studies that proved reflexology could virtually eliminate the symptoms associated with colic.
Allergies
Childhood eczema
Stress-Reflexology is known for the relaxation factor. If you have suffered from a stressful day at work, one of the best things you can do for your body is have a reflexology treatment.
Sports related injuries
Respiratory infections
Depression and other emotional problems
Hyperactivity & auditory problems
Learning and concentration challenges
Acne and psoriasis

I recommend making reflexology treatment a part of family time. Make it something that the children look forward to and enjoy. Create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere in a room they enjoy spending time in, you will find it goes much more smoothly this way.

The more that you know about a subject, the better off youll be when it comes to facing that topic in the future. Reflexology is a type of complementary medicine that has been used in Asia for centuries, and it has been currently gaining much popularity in the United States as well as other industrialized countries. In this article, well help you to become more familiar with reflexology so that you can be better prepared if you ever choose to visit a reflexologist for a health problem.
Contraindications contraindications is a word that you are probably unfamiliar with. In terms of reflexology, contraindications denote conditions that you may be having with your health that make it so that you should not receive reflexology as a treatment. Individuals who have recently fractured a bone are cautioned to avoid undergoing reflexology, as well as those who have any types of un-healed wounds or a case of gout that is flaring up. Consequently, if you have had a past history of heart attacks, osteoarthritis or if you are pregnant, you should speak to a doctor in order to ensure that reflexology is the right type of treatment for you.
Homeostasis Homeostasis is referred to by some of those who practice reflexology as the state of the body in which everything is well. Reflexologists often contend that the reason that people become ill is the fact that the bodys stress patterns are not able to flow correctly through the body, believing that reflexology can work towards clearing up blockages in the stress system in order to help the body to be more at peace. Once reflexology has been performed, practitioners believe that the stress patterns of the body can return to normal which will make the body more able to overcome many different types of illness on its own.
Self-reflexology many people who understand the art of reflexology choose to perform it on themselves within their own household. Since it is useful when it comes to making the immune system more strong and able to fend off illness, it can be a great idea to perform self-reflexology on a regular basis in order to keep your body healthy and strong. Although it can be difficult to perform standard reflexology procedures on yourself, there are many different tools that you can buy that can make it much easier for you to perform. For instance, there are foot massager tools that can be helpful in the process, as well as reflexology mats, which are beaded, textured mats that can be employed when you are exercising in order to help break up the stress that is located within your feet.
Hopefully, this article helped to give you a better idea of what the reflexology practice is and how it can be useful when it comes to helping you to relieve stress and recover from illness. It is a potent type of alternative treatment that is gaining more and more recognition, so you should do your best to learn all that you can about it.

In the fast paced society that we live in today, I highly recommend that you take a time out for yourself each day. Better yet, I recommend taking time for your entire family to relax and unwind. It is a natural process that is highly ignored these days because everyone is so busy. Before long you will notice a big difference in how you see life and that you are able to manage your day so much better. Include your children and make it something that the children look forward to and enjoy. Create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere in a room they enjoy spending time in and make it a nightly routine to turn that room into a den of relaxation and peace by practicing reflexology therapy.

If you are unfamiliar with reflexology, here are the basics and how it can help you get control of your health. Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure in a strategic manner to reflexes of the feet and hands, and even the face and ears. Reflexologists see the hands and feet as an open door to the bodies systems. Each section of the feet and hands correlate to a specific organ. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, you can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding

Organs and systems of the body. And because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body, and particularly for stress relief.

If you have children that get frequent colds or ear infections, reflexology can be extremely beneficial. Did you know that Americans spend more than one billion dollars every year on nonprescription medicines for coughs and colds? The bad news is that these products provide temporary relief and in no way address the root of the problem.

If you are curious as to what types of problems reflexology can alleviate, here is a list I have compiled. Keep in mind that it is just a sample list and in no way represents everything that reflexology can benefit.

A Note about Ear Infections: There are many ways to cure an ear infection without the use of antibiotics; one of those methods is reflexology. In my opinion, antibiotics are prescribed way too much. I have cured my own kids ear infections quickly and easily. In fact, I even wowed my doctor a few times.
Teething pain
Asthma
Colic-There is documented studies that proved reflexology could virtually eliminate the symptoms associated with colic.
Allergies
Childhood & adult eczema
Stress-Reflexology is known for the relaxation factor. If you have suffered from a stressful day at work, one of the best things you can do for your body is have a reflexology treatment. It is one of the best things you can do for your family. A relaxed family is a happy family!
Sports related injuries
Respiratory infections
Depression and other emotional problems
Hyperactivity & auditory problems
Learning and concentration challenges
Acne and psoriasis
Migraine, tension and cluster headaches
Menopause
Insomnia
Acid reflux & digestive disorders

The kidneys are one of the four organs in our body responsible for eliminating waste products and built up toxins. When kidney stones, heavy metal build up, and solvents get into our bodies they compromise our kidneys. As do things like pesticides and aflatoxins. One of the most beneficial things we can do to prevent renal failure is a thorough body cleanse. Symptoms of kidney problems include abdominal pain, appetite loss, back pain, chills, fever, bloating, nausea, urinary urgency and vomiting.

The cleansing of our kidneys is only one of the primary reasons we need to take detoxification seriously. Toxins are everywhere. The food we eat, the products we clean ourselves with, as well as the air we breathe all contribute to the build up of toxins in our bodies. Without effectively eliminating those toxins from our organs, they will eventually cause havoc and we will be led down the path of sickness and disease. In a society that relies heavily on chemically laden prescription drugs, psychotherapy and surgical procedures to heal the sick, it is more than time to put matters into your own hands.

Our society has become very curious about detoxification. In fact, nowadays there are so many products trying to get your attention, that it can be very challenging and overwhelming to know just what is best. If you search for detoxification online today, you will find everything from detox diet plans and fasting to high priced spa treatments, herbal cleansing pills and patches.

Far Eastern cultures have been using alternative treatments for thousands of years and still do so today. Even the most technically advanced countries such as China and Japan, appreciate the effectiveness and simplicity of natural medicine. So why not try a form of therapy that is effective, yet has no side affects? However, with so many products on the market begging for a sale, where do you begin? Maybe it is time to introduce you to reflexology.

Reflexology is the practice of strategically applying pressure to areas of the feet and hands as they correspond with specific body organs. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, we can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. Reflexology is not only effective for self-healing, but has made its mark as an effective detoxification procedure as well. And maybe most importantly in todays society, it is free, depending on which therapy you use and very convenient. Yes, unlike our current healthcare system, reflexology therapy is available to everyone!

Reflexology is safe for everyone and proven effective. No matter what your state of health is at this time, reflexology can be a part of good preventative care. Without effectively eliminating toxins from our organs, they will eventually cause havoc and we will be led down the path of sickness and disease. In a society that relies heavily on chemically laden prescription drugs, psychotherapy and surgical procedures to heal the sick, it is more than time to put matters into your own hands.

The overuse of pesticides and other chemicals are cause for great concern. Like no other time in history, our food chain is full of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, fumigants and fertilizers laced with heavy metals, all of which are toxic to humans. And to make matters worse, we have food additives, preservatives and artificial flavorings and colorings pervading the products in our supermarkets. Fruits and vegetables, which is supposed to be health food are sprayed and treated with ripening agents and waxed to make them look appealing to the eye. Toxic chemicals are everywhere, in our homes, in our water and in the air we breathe.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also did a study that showed us that indoor pollution is just as worrisome, in most cases more serious because people spend so much time inside. Indoor pollution levels average two to five times greater than outdoor pollution and in some cases up to 100 percent higher. That is something to be worried about. There are many indoor pollutants that people dont even know about that are harming them. Things like animal hair, asbestos, bedding, carbon monoxide, disinfectants, dust, electromagnetic fields, formaldehyde in building materials and many other products, hair sprays, household cleaning products, lead, radiation from microwaves, television screens and computer monitors, mold, paint, pollen, pesticides, radon, solvents and tobacco smoke all significantly compromise our health. In fact, some product in the home such as certain plastics that emit styrene, benzene (which also happens to be in ice cream), 4-PC chemicals from carpet and formaldehyde from kitchen cabinets and other wood work all emit volatile components in the air.

So if all of this is a problem, what can we do about it? Of course, we should watch what we eat. As many holistic nutritionists would agree, you will find that it is very beneficial to consume as much whole foods as possible. Read your labels and keep in mind that processed foods are one of the biggest sources for the toxin build up in our systems; the very toxins that reflexology strives to rid the body of. Outside of a whole foods diet, make sure to drink plenty of water, cut down, or better yet eliminate caffeine, eat a well-balanced diet, exercise and get adequate rest. Reflexology will help take care of the rest!

You may be asking how that is possible? Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure in a strategic manner to reflexes of the feet and hands, and even the face and ears. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, we can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding areas of the body. Furthermore, reflexology stimulates the lymphatic system and encourages the release of endorphins, the natural feel good hormones that are well documented in relieving the effects of stress.

Reflexology is meant to bring your body to a state of well-being. Only in this state is your body able to heal itself. When your body is full of toxins, your immune system is severely compromised, making you much more likely to succumb to sickness. Reflexology is a beneficial tool for improving circulation, relieving pain, and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. In fact, many people with illnesses such as allergies; chronic sinus problems; acid reflux; migraines; PMS; menopause; insomnia; fertility problems; fibromyalgia; depression and even arthritis report significantly improved conditions as a result of the treatment.

No matter what your state of health is at this time, reflexology can be a part of good preventative care. Without effectively eliminating toxins from our organs, they will eventually cause havoc and we will be led down the path of sickness and disease. In a society that relies heavily on chemically laden prescription drugs, psychotherapy and surgical procedures to heal the sick, it is more than time to put matters into your own hands.