| Reflexology was an incredibly popular form of | | | | independently developed in ancient China too, and |
| energy healing, but coming into the 21st century, | | | | this is what most people are aware of in the |
| it seems to have lost some of its popularity to | | | | modern world. The practice survived in one form |
| other types of energy healing methods. | | | | or another from the time of the Ancient |
| Unfortunately, this has led some people to believe | | | | Egyptians, but did not gain any popularity in the |
| that reflexology is of little value, which is truly | | | | Western World until the early part of the 20th |
| unfortunate; it ignores the fact that reflexology | | | | century, when an American physician named |
| has much to offer regardless of whether or not a | | | | William H. Fitzgerald promoted the use of |
| spotlight of current popularity is shining on it. | | | | Reflexology as a form of anesthesia. However, |
| Reflexology is similar to many other forms of | | | | the true parent of modern reflexology was Eunice |
| energy healing in the sense that it aims to alter | | | | D. Ingham who popularized the notion that |
| the body's energy via meridian lines, through the | | | | Reflexology's strength originated from points in |
| manipulation of strategic points. (These points | | | | the hands and feet. Ingham's method of |
| have also been called "zones" and this is why | | | | performing Reflexology became the basis of |
| reflexology is also sometimes referred to as | | | | most schools of Reflexology therapy. |
| "zone therapy".) What makes Reflexology unique | | | | It's best to be treated for illness by a qualified and |
| is the fact that it bases its energy flow | | | | experienced reflexology practitioner, but anyone |
| manipulation on very specific points on the body. | | | | can make use of basic techniques, such as |
| In particular, the points on the body which are | | | | squeezing the thin flesh in the juncture of the |
| manipulated are the feet, hands and ears. This is | | | | thumbs and forefingers to ease mild headaches. |
| not because these are the only body parts | | | | Another good point for mild headaches is pressing |
| affected by dis-ease; instead, they are the | | | | hard on the tip of the big toe on each foot. |
| origination point where the manipulated energy | | | | In later articles I will go into more depth about |
| travels to other points in the body. This is similar | | | | simple procedures that anyone can use without |
| to acupuncture in a number of ways, but with the | | | | the need to be qualified. Anything complex must |
| major difference between the two being the fact | | | | be done by a qualified therapist, as reflexology |
| that reflexology does not use any types of | | | | can have some powerful stimulatory effects on |
| needles to manipulate energy flow. Instead, | | | | the human body! |
| pressing and squeezing the points is what alters | | | | The next article in this series on Energy Healing |
| the energy flow. | | | | will explain the power of Therapeutic Touch. In |
| Like other forms of energy healing, the origins of | | | | the meantime, please enjoy the other articles in |
| Reflexology are found in the ancient world. | | | | the series, or visit my blog for summaries of the |
| Reflexology claims it origins date back to ancient | | | | various techniques I have written about. |
| Egypt, but other variants of reflexology were | | | | |