Most of us think of feet and want to retch. While there's no arguing that feet are fantastic for getting us from one place to another and that they look great covered up by an expensive pair of Manolo Blahniks, that's about as far as we go. For most of us, feet are just unattractive, smelly things at the end of our legs which sport unpleasant brittle nails, hard callouses and tufts of unnecessary toe hair.
That said, there's a therapy becoming increasingly popular which concentrates almost entirely on the feet - and it's not just for those wacky foot fetishists. Reflexology is advertised as being for anyone who wants to cure a variety of ailments throughout the entire body using a simple massage that focuses primarily on the feet. Whether it works or not, of course, is a different story...
What Exactly Is Reflexology?
Reflexology, formerly known mainly as zone therapy, has been around for literally thousands of years - used by the ancient Egyptians and Chinese in particular. It is a type of bodywork that is predicated by the idea that we have certain so-called "reflex areas" on our feet, hands or even the ears (see below). These areas, or zones, neatly correspond to certain other parts of our body.
The body contains ten different zones. When a reflexologist applies pressure to the feet, this sends calming messages from those nerves to the central nervous system to create a feeling of peace and relieve tension. It is thought that the pathways through the points on the foot etc are connected to other body parts through the central nervous system, which is why it purportedly works.
Therefore, when we press or apply specialized pressure on those zones in the hand or feet, we are transmitting therapeutic action elsewhere. If you have a problem with your pituitary gland, for example, all you need to do is have your big toes massaged - they are the part of the foot which corresponds to that specific gland. Then presto - no more problem!
Modern-day reflexology has evolved to suit our contemporary needs thanks in part to Dr William H Fitzgerald, an ear, nose and throat man, and Dr Edwin Bowers, who introduced "zone therapy" in 1915. They theorized that applying pressure to some body parts could have anesthetic results on other body parts.
Their work was carried on and improved by Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist and nurse who transformed zone therapy into reflexology in the 1930s. She theorized that the most sensitive parts of the body as far as zone therapy were the feet, and contrived reflexology charts mapping out the body in relation to our little footsies (and tootsies).
Ear Reflexology
Believe it or not, some people now practice what is known as ear reflexology, or "auricular therapy". There are points on the ears which are thought to correspond to the heart, according to TCM, or traditional Chinese medicine, and it is thought that rubbing parts of the ear will thus relieve anxiety, and promote tranquility and calm. Rubbing other ear parts will have effects on other parts of the body.
Ears as a window to health have fascinated us for centuries - indeed, millennia. It is reported that in 400 BC people used to burn parts of their ears to relieve back pain, and that auricular acupuncture took off as early as 400 AD. A French doctor called Dr Paul Nogier reportedly worked out the modern-day reflux cartography of ear therapy, which is used today, in the 1950s after treating patients who had suffered ear burns in an attempt to treat other injuries.
The best part is that now you can practice therapeutic ear massage yourself, simply by grasping your ear between your thumb and forefingers and rubbing them gently together. For maximum effect it's recommended that a qualified ear reflexologist shows you the ropes first. Just make sure you've used a Q-tip in the last year or two to avoid embarrassment. Happy rubbing!
Does Reflexology Really Work?
One of the more popular alternative treatments, reflexology has countless proponents who say it has far-reaching and long-lasting health benefits. Reflexologists claim their therapy can help everything from arthritis (because they say it can help stimulate the adrenal glands and reduce dependence on cortisone) to urinary tract infections (by working the bladder and kidney points located on the bottom of your foot).
However, its critics say that it's a load of old hokum, and that the only health benefit is one anybody would get after spending time in a tranquil, quiet room having a (hopefully) pleasant massage. Dr Stephen Barrett MD, for example, has written an article about reflexology in QuackWatch, where he recounts several reflexology sessions her personally undertook to ascertain their effect.
During one session, a reflexologist told him that he could cure his severe shoulder pain, which had already been approved for major surgery, in just a few meetings. "His 'treatment,' which lasted about 10 minutes, consisted of massaging the foot and from time to time, pressing hard on the ball of my foot, a procedure that was quite painful," Dr Barrett wrote. "The 'treatment,' of course, did absolutely nothing to help my shoulder. A few months later, I had the surgery, which cured the problem immediately and permanently."
Reflexology should not be intended as a substitute for conventional medicine, but if it can make you feel better and you actually enjoy the experience it might be worth a whirl. However, you should consult your doctor before trying out any alternative treatment, even one that may appear seemingly innocuous.
If you have a foot fracture, open wound in the foot or active gout in the foot, you should avoid this therapy. Ditto for people with current thrombosis or embolism. If you are in the early stages of pregnancy tell your reflexologist so he or she can adjust the treatment accordingly. Talk to your doctor first if you have vascular conditions of the foot or leg.
It goes without saying that a suspension of disbelief is important if you are undertaking any alternative therapy, and that keeping an open mind is vital. Reflexologists are adamant that they themselves are not healers; instead, they are participants helping the body to heal itself. Don't expect reflexology to cure you of any major health conditions, but it might just help alleviate minor foot pain. Then again, it might just be another (rather costly) pain in the ass...
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