Reflexology

Reflexology is a wonderful, natural and simple way of helping your body to heal itself. The art of Reflexology dates back to Ancient Egypt, India and China and has been practised in its current form for over 70 years in Europe and the United States.

It is a therapy where pressure is applied to the feet or hands in order to balance the body and aid good health. The reflexologist aims to help the body to work harmoniously to restore its own healthy balance creating a feeling of well being. Reflexology is safe, natural and non-invasive, providing more than just physical benefits as it deeply calms and balances your entire mind, body and spirit. Reflexology is one of the UK’s most popular therapies.

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How does Reflexology work?

There are 7200 nerve endings in the feet and hands; these are a road map to the entire body, and mirror the anatomy and physiology of the body. There is a flow of ‘vital energy’ that circulates through the body in distinct channels or zones. In order for the body to remain at its healthiest, this energy flow must not be interrupted. During stress or illness, toxins build up in your body causing blockages which prevent energies to flow freely. Your reflexologist, by stimulating the reflexes in the feet aims to release these blockages, helping to bring your body back into balance and harmony.

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History of reflexology

The art of Reflexology dates back to ancient Egypt, India and China and was depicted on the Egyptian tomb in 2350 BC. Reflexology as we know it today can be linked back to a series of developments by several Neurologists and Doctors in the UK and US. In 1893 Sir Henry Head an English Neurologist proved the neurological (nerve) relationship between pressure applied to the skin and internal organs. In 1906 Sir Charles Sherringham, an English Neurologist showed that the brain, spinal cord and reflex pathways control the activities of the body. He established that nerves coordinate body functions and published a book “The Integrative Action of the Nervous System which he was awarded a Nobel Prize for science.

In 1913 Dr. William Fitzgerald noted that pressure on specific parts of the body could have an anaesthetising effect on a related area. Developing this theory, he divided the body into ten equal and vertical zones, ending in the fingers and toes. He concluded that pressure on one part of a zone could affect everything else within that zone.

In the 1930's, Eunice Ingham, a therapist, further developed and refined the zone therapy into what is now known as reflexology. She observed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrors congestion or tension in a corresponding part of the body. Thus, when you treat the big toes there is a related effect in the head, and treating the whole foot can have a relaxing and healing effect on the whole body.