| Chinese Reflexology has become a world wide | | | | populations. |
| favourite for advocates of alternative therapies | | | | Foot Reflexology is by far the most well known |
| and is known must commonly as just | | | | and popular reflexology therapy in operation. This |
| Reflexology, although can also be referred to | | | | is largely because many practitioners specialise in |
| more generically as touch therapy or just foot | | | | it, as well as the fact that most people find it a |
| massage. | | | | particularly pleasant experience and will often go |
| In ancient China when the therapy was formed, | | | | for a session of foot reflexology simply as an |
| the Chinese found that by applying pressure or | | | | alternative to a massage, for the pleasure of it |
| massage stimulation at certain points, the patient | | | | rather than purely its therapeutic benefit. |
| would gain benefit in corresponding organs that | | | | But Chinese Reflexology can in fact be applied to |
| were thought to be linked to the point where | | | | many parts of the body. Commonly it is applied |
| pressure was applied. | | | | on the feet, hands and ears but has also been |
| This was in line with the Chinese system of | | | | used on most other parts of the body as well. |
| meridians, or energy channels. In western | | | | The pressure can be applied using static pressure |
| medicine it is explained as either a connection via | | | | or with a massaging motion. This is done without |
| a neural network or multitude of interconnecting | | | | creams or oils or instruments, although as with |
| nerves, or it is simply not explained at all and | | | | many practices, Chinese Reflexology has been |
| rather is put down as an invalid science. | | | | blended with so many other techniques by multi |
| Although even among western non alternative | | | | discipline therapists that it is not uncommon to |
| therapists there is much debate and varying | | | | find Reflexology therapists who will use |
| personal opinions as to the validity of the ancient | | | | instruments to apply the pressure and lotions to |
| Chinese Reflexology system. Recently I spoke | | | | enhance the treatment. Other Reflexology |
| with a podiatrist who personally believed in the | | | | systems such as Thai Reflexology also use |
| value of Chinese Reflexology, although admitted | | | | implements like wooden instruments to apply |
| that he was taught in University that it was | | | | pressure. |
| "shear quackery". | | | | A popular trend today is to learn Chinese |
| None the less, Reflexology is finding itself in | | | | Reflexology techniques and to regularly self |
| increasingly high demand the world over due to its | | | | administer them, or practice them on your |
| non invasive nature, drug free and holistic | | | | partner or children. If you are more a |
| approach, together with the ever growing | | | | perfectionist or a purist, you can consult a |
| popularity and acceptance of alternative | | | | professional to teach you, or you can learn from |
| approaches to healing among the worlds | | | | many excellent books or even YouTube. |