Origins and curiosities about reflexology

Reflexology is a technique that allows you to "contact" organs and the system through the stimulation of their reflex points.

By analyzing these points, the person's state of health can be assessed and with the treatment, the state of health can be maintained and restored.

Depending on the type of stimulation, one can act on a physical, energetic and psycho-emotional level.

There are reflex points throughout the body.

In some areas, these points are so assembled that they are able to represent the whole organism, creating a real map.

The main areas that offer a complete mapping are the hands, feet, ears, face and iris (colored part of the eyes).

The communication between the reflex point and the apparatus/organ/tissue/cell can take place via biochemistry, energy or nerves.

Historical hints

It is not clear whether we can speak of real reflexology with regard to historical finds. What emerges is certainly the antiquity of the art of massage in areas of the body in which, as mentioned, is present a complete mapping of the organism.

Bas-reliefs and paintings presented here, are showing the practice of foot massage.

You can find some images that belong to the Egyptian, Indian, Chinese culture and more.

There are ancient Incas ceremonies which include hand and foot massage in sacred rites.

The famous "Footprints of Buddha", present in many parts of Asia,

have aroused interest in various reflexologists. These are footprint engravings. They symbolize the passage and therefore the presence of the Buddha on earth. The footprints of the Buddha are decorated with various sacred symbols, religious and otherwise, almost creating a mapping of the sole of the foot as can be seen from these images.

While we cannot talk about reflexology, these cultures and practices lead us to reflect and go beyond physical reality, seeing these areas of the body as energy channels and centers.

To talk about reflexology as we know it today, we must instead arrive at the end of the 1800s, the beginning of the 1900s when the first research with the scientific method began. There have been various exponents in different parts of the world (Russia, Germany, America, France…) who have contributed with their research and discoveries.

The birth of modern reflexology is attributed to Dr. William Fitzgerald (1872-1942), an American ENT surgeon.

Dr. Eunice Dakota, an American physiotherapist and passionate about the work conducted by Dr. Fitzgerald, is considered the mother of foot reflexology. In her first book “Stories The Feet Can Tell”, she gathered the information she herself observed from her cases, creating new maps of the reflex points.

Macro and Micro

The theory of the Microcosm and Macrocosm is intrinsic to the theory of reflexology.

A part of the organism (Microcosm) represents the whole organism (Macrocosm).

In this vision of reality, the parts are in relation to the whole, thus forming an indivisible union.

The micro systems (hand, foot, iris, ear ...) are representations of the macro system (body) and they create regulatory circuits, both among parts and with the whole.

The goal of these circuits is to maintain homeostasis to ensure a good state of health.

How is it then possible to divide what happens in one part of the body without considering its connection to the whole?

What happens in the part is what is happening in the whole too.

In Naturopathy, as a humanistic science, we are concerned with the human being as a whole.

The whole organism is considered and also the various planes of existence: physical, energetic, psycho-emotional and spiritual.

The doors of being

In various traditions, such as in Vedic and Chinese medicine, we speak of energy channels and centers. Areas with a noticeable accumulation of reflex points are also energetically charged areas.

The eyes are the expression of being, one of the most powerful means of communication and exchange that human beings have.

Touch is another powerful tool for exchange and communication with each other, with ourselves and with the environment.

The palms of the hands have energy centers dedicated to giving and receiving. How aware are we of it?

The feet are our contact with mother earth, our door to nourishment and life. They are the means of contact that allows us to have solid foundations on which to stand.

Through the reflexology treatment, a renewal, a turnover, a movement in the energy flow of the area and of the whole organism is created. It allows a better contact with oneself, with nature, with others and with the environment.

It accompanies towards a greater awareness of what the human being already possesses.

Thanks for your attention, now you just have to try!