Reflexology Bible: The Definitive Guide to Reflexology (Godsfield Bible Series)

400 Pages·2008·2.48 MB·English

by  Louise Keet

THE
REFLEXOLOGY BI BLE
Louise Keet
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO REFLEXOLOGY
THE
REFLEXOLOGY BIBLE
Reflexology is a safe, gentle therapy that boosts the body's
healing systems and helps combat stress. This comprehensive
book contains everything you need to know about the subject,
including zone maps of the hands and feet, techniques for
working the reflex points, advice on how to prepare for
a reflexology session and a step-by-step routine to
treat the whole body.
With a detailed directory providing instructions to relieve common
ailments from digestive problems to skin complaints, plus
specialized treatments to suit children, C( REFLEXOlOGY BIBlE, ll-E
this is the only guide to reflexology
_r~~-~' s
NN-PF1113 REFLEXOLOGY
10/1)3/10
NONE/O/ F 9781841813417
ISBN 978-1-84
I II I
9 781841 813417
Cover photography © Octopus Publishing
Group Ltd/Ruth Jenkinson WWw.octopusbooks.co.uk
THE
Reflexology
Bible
LOUISE KEET
" A GODSFIELD BOOK ~
An Hachette livre UK Com pony
wwvv.hochetelivre.co.uk Contents
First published in Great Britain in 2008 by
Gadsfield, a division of Octopus Publishing Group Ltd
2-4 Heron Quays, London E 14 4JP PART 1 Introduction 6
wwvv.octopusbaaks.co.uk
Copyright © Octopus Publishing Group ltd 2008 PART 2 How reflexology works 36
Text copyright © Louise Keet 2008
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be PART 3 Reflexology preparation 82
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording or by any information storage and retrieval
PART 4 Treating the feet 118
system, w ithout the prior w ritten permission of the
publisher.
PART 5 Reflexology for common ailments 168
Louise Keet asserts the moral right to be identified as the
author of th is book.
PART 6 Specialized reflexology 252
ISBN 978-1-841 -81 341-7
A ClP cotalogue record of th is book is available from
the British librory. PART 7 Treating the hands 350
Printed and bound in China
Index 390
10 9 876 54 3
CAUTION Acknowledgements 400
This book is not intended as a substi tu te for medicol
advice. The reader should consult a physician in all
matters re lating to hea lth and porticulorly in respect of
any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical
attention. While the advice and information ore
believed to be accurate and true at the time of going to
press, nei ther the author nor the publisher can accept
legal responsibili ty or liabil ity for any errors or omissions
that may have been made.
PART 1
I ntrod uction
What is reflexology?
Reflexology is the technique of applying
gentle pressure to reflex areas on the feet
oz
Uf= orer lahxaantdiosn t oa nbdri ntog satbimoulta tae sthtaet eb oofd dye's eopw n »I-~ l
:
o::J healing processes. It is a natural therapy Vi
2 that can olso facilita te more vital energy, 'm"
.- m
z help boost the immune system and create X
o
a stronger body and colmer mind. o
Gl
Reflexology is a safe, natural therapy ·-N<
that helps to give your body what it needs
- that might be conceiving or carrying a
baby to full term , a reduction in the
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome,
assistance in losing weight or in feeling
younger and looking healthier. In this book
you will discover how reflexology and a
holistic approach to health can help you
achieve and fulfi l both emotional and
physical goals.
The theory of reflexology
The theory underlying reflexology is that
the organs, nerves, glands and other parts
of the body are connected to reflex areas
or reflex points on the feet and hands.
These areas are fou nd on the soles of the
Belter emotionol ond physical health can
be promoted through the help of healing
hands and reflexology.
needs equilibrium in order to keep sequences that you could expect from a
working healthily Even a very light professional treatment.
reflexology treatment can help create You can apply the foot-reflexology
o this sense of balance. treatments and any of the specia lized
Reflexology is not a therapy used treatment sequences doily, every other
z to diagnose illness; it is not a med ical
day, weekly, or as you w ish. The general
Q
U>- treatment. It does not cure - only the body foot treatment in Part 4 (see pages
::::J
o can do that. Instead it facilitates healing 13 6-1671 covers all the systems and
2
>- within the body. It is virtually impossible ports of the body and can help with most m
z X
to determine how long it will toke an conditions, as well as reducing the effects o
o
individual to feel and enjoy the benefits of stress on the body. In Part 5 the focus is Gl
.-. <,
of reflexology. Everything starts with one on specific ailments, and here you will find
Reflexology can
small step, but it is the commitment to power-reflexology treatment sequences that
create a healthier
reflexology that can drive forward a will help you treat common conditions in
and happier you.
positive outcome. the body, ranging from acne and asthma
feet and palms of the hands, as well as on on in reflexology, because practitioners to psoriasis and a sore throat. Port 6
the top and sides of the feet and hands. feel they are normally more responsive How to use this book contains specialized treatment sequences
By stimulating these areas using a to treatment than the hands, since they This book is designed to give you a and focuses separately on moods and
compression technique and a form of contain a larger treatment area and so the comprehensive approach to reflexology emotions, women, men, pregnancy, young
massage with your thumbs, fingers and reflex points are easier to identify; and , and a holistic approach to health , ch ildren, the golden years and couples.
hands, you can create a direct response because the feet are usually protected by including diet and lifestyle changes. It These sequences wil l help you adjust your
in a related body area. For example, by shoes and socks, they are more sensitive incorporates a variety of treatment treatments to treat certain medical
working on the head reflex (which is found to treatment. However, the hands can be sequences that aim to suit the needs of problems and ailments .
on the big toel, you can activate the used for treatments just as effectively and you, your friends and your family, and Hand reflexology is perfect for self-
body's own healing processes to help are great to work on, especially when which are suitable for al l ages. After an treatment, treating the elderly, giving a
alleviate headaches. giving yourself reflexology. introduction to the way reflexology works treatment in a few minutes or whi le on the
The right foot and hand represent the and essential preparation steps, Parts 4, move, and for deep relaxation. The
right side of the body, while the left foot Creating a state of balance 5 and 6 offer numerous foot-reflexology general treatment sequence in Part 7 (see
and hand represent the left side; and Reflexology is all about bringing balance, and power-treatment sequences, while page 374-389) should suit everyone's
according to 'zone therapy' (see page harmony and a sense of well-being to the Part 7 presents some hand-reflexology needs and is a great experience to give
161, there are ten different zones in the body. At times, we find ourselves feeling sequences. All the treatment sequences as well as to receive. Working on your
body. The feet are most commonly worked 'out of sorts or ungrounded', and our body are simple to follow and are the same own hands is self-empowering.
The roots of reflexology
The very roots of reflexology and its treatment plans for his patients that focused
relationship with healthcare ond astrology on the prevention of illness or on treating 0
are believed to date back to ancient current condition - so that practitioners
oz Egypt, where astrologer/physicions were acting 'so you praise me'. I- <
>= m
U looked towards the stars to provide a Over the years, various forms of
:
oa: J theoretical basis on which to treat patients. reflexology have been practised and o-<
't
Z"- developed in America, Africa and the '~"
Ancient Egypt Far East. These oMen developed in
The oldest documentation depicting the different ways, with different lengths of m'~"
X
practice of reflexology was discovered in treatment, heavier or lighter pressure, and o
the tomb of an Egyptian physician called even the use of implements such as small oGl
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Ankmahor, dated around 2500 BeE. sticks or the end of a pipe.
Ankmahor was considered one of the most
influential people at that time, second only Modern reflexology: the
to the king. Within his tomb were found pioneers
many medical ly related painti ngs, and Dr W ill iam Fitzgerald was one of the
the one shown here is believed to be the pioneers of modern reflexology. An
earliest example of reflexology. Two American laryngologist who carried out
patients are receiving reflexology on their his most significant work in the early
hands and feet. 'Don't hurt me', one 1900s, he had been aware that Native
patient says in the inscription; and the Americans were using techniques of
practitioner's reply is, 'I shall act so you pressure-point therapy to relieve pain. He
praise me' . also found that there was a lot of research
Reflexology was obViously being developing in Europe on the functioning
practised either as a preventative to ill of the nervous system and the effects of
health or to help ease patients' medical stimulation of the sensory pathways on the
conditions; either way, it is clear that the
practitioners wished to meet their patients' This early painting of reflexology was
needs. Working with a reflexologist, the found in the tomb of the ancient Egyptian
physician would have devised individual physician Ankmahor.
the body (see page 16), on which the 1930s by the late Eunice Ingham, who is systems, and the therapist works with a
modern form of reflexology was considered by most to be the 'mother of pressure that is constantly adiusted in order
subsequently based. reflexology'. She made the feet specific to avoid discomfort. The session is holistic,
targets for reflexology because they are with the reflexologist considering the
The Rwo Shur method particularly sensitive, and developed maps impact that the client's lifestyle has on their
oz In many parts of Asia, including Taiwan, of the entire body on the feet (see pages health. He or she will adiust the treatment mI- - ;
;::
U
::J China and Singapore, the Rwo Shur 40-49), based on her research in the sequence to suit each person, and o
2o method of reflexology is practised. This practice of reflexology. although all the reflexes ore worked, some o(-/->;
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z- can be quite painful to receive because it She also developed a method of using are emphasized a little more than others. o~
involves a combination of thumb-sliding the thumbs and fingers known as the m'
~"
and pressure techniques, incorporating the Ingham compression technique. In this m
x
knuckles and sometimes small wooden method, pressure is applied by 'thumb- o
o
sticks. The pressure is very firm and the walking', in which the thumb or finger Gl
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therapist uses a cream rather than a bends and straightens while ma intaining
powder; this al lows for a fast, efficient and constant pressure across the area of the
flowing motion. You can normally expect a foot that is being worked.
session to last for about 30 minutes, with Eunice Ingham introduced her work to
the focus being on revitalization rather the non-medical community because she
than relaxation. realized how reflexology could help the
The Rwo Shur method was developed general public. Her techniques were
in Taiwan by Father Joseph Eugster, a simple to apply, and people could learn
Swiss missionary. Having experienced the how to use reflexology to help themselves,
benefits of reflexology himself, he saw thei r family and friends. She wrote two
The Asian Rwo Shur method, which focuses the potential to help thousands of needy books on reflexology, Stories the Feet
on revitalization rather than than people and began to treat and then train Can Tell (1938) and Stories the Feet Have
relaxation, using a small stick. others in reflexology. Told (1963)
A reflexologist practising the Ingham
rest of the body. Inspired by his research, The Ingham method method uses powder rather than cream,
Dr Fitzgerold decided to experiment on his This technique forms the basis for the way and a session generally lasts for about
potients with poin relief for minor surgery, in which most reflexology is practised 60 minutes, although this depends on the Powder, towels and water should be laid
and the result was the discovery of 'zone around the world today. It was pioneered health of the client. The focus is on out in readiness before the client arrives
therapy', with energy lines running through and developed in America in the early relaxation and balancing the body and treatment begins.
Zone therapy
Zone therapy is the foundation of modern applying wooden clothes pegs to the
reflexology, whereby reflexologists apply fingers created on anaesthetic affect on
pressure to lor massage) specific areas of the ear, nose, face, jaw, shoulder, arm
z N
o the feet or hands, stimulating the and hand, and in this way he was able o
z
U circulation and nerve impulses to promote to perform minor surgery using just zone
=>
Cl health throughout 'zones' of the body. therapy, without anaesthetics.
;2
I
Z- The principle of energy zones, and the Dr Fitzgerald finally published a book
disease and rejuvenation of energy on zone therapy in 1917, which divided
pathways, has been known for centuries. the body into ten longitudinal sections,
Harry Bond Bressler, who investigated the and then charted the longitudinal zones
possibility of treating organs in the body of the body, with five on each side Isee
through pressure points, stated in his book page 18). Modern reflexology is based
Zone Therapy 11955) that 'Pressure on this idea of zone therapy. Using pressure
therapy was well known in the middle on the toes, for instance, reflexologists can
countries in Europe and was practised by help with the pain associated with sinusitis,
the working classes of those countries as can drain the sinuses and strengthen them,
well as by those who catered to the in order to avoid future bouts of sinusitis.
diseases of royalty and the upper closses.' This pressure, applied to any of the ten
This form of reflexology seems to have zones, creates a signal throughout the
been practised as far back as the nervous system to the brain, which in turn
14th century. stimulates the internal organs to regulate
and improve the way they function .
Dr William Fitzgerald
The American Dr William Fitzgerald is
considered to be the founder of zone
therapy During his research into pain
relief he established that pressure applied
to one part of the body could have an Applying pressure to on area can help with
anaesthetic effect on another part, away pain relief. The roots of this form of
from the pressure site. For example, treatment dote bock to the Middle Ages.