The healing art of reflexology dates back to Ancient Egypt, India and China. However, it wasn't until 1913 that a man called Dr William Fitzgerald introduced it to the West and called it 'zone therapy'. He observed that reflex areas on the feet and hands were linked to other areas and organs of the body within the same zone.

In the 1930's Eunice Ingham researched zone therapy to a greater extent with reflexology being the result. She observed that congestion or tension in part of the foot was mirrored in corresponding parts of the body.

What is reflexology?

Reflexology is a technique which involves applying gentle pressure to parts of the feet, which correspond to precise reflex points in the body. It revolves around the understanding that there are over 7,000 nerve endings, or reflex points on each of the feet (or hands) that relate to the tissues, organs and systems of the body.

Applying gentle pressure to these reflex points may influence the body in many ways. For example, reflexology has been found to reduce stress and tension, relieve pain, improve bodily functions and generally restore the body to a better state, so improving physical well being.

How can reflexology help me?

The healing art of reflexology can be used to help restore the body's natural equilibrium. This gentle holistic therapy encourages the body to work naturally to restore its own healthy balance.

Whilst reflexology does not claim to cure, diagnose or prescribe, many health problems have been helped including:

Arthritis
Asthma
Anxiety
Back Pain
Colitis
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Digestive disorders (Constipation & IBS)
Hormonal imbalances
Headaches, migraine
Hayfever
Insomnia (Sleep disorders)
Infertility
M.E. & lack of energy
Menstrual disorder (PMS, Menopause)
Mild depression
Nerve disorders (MS,Parkinsons disease)
Pregnancy management
Stress related disorders
Skin disorders (Eczema, Acne, Psoriasis)
Sports injuries
Ulcers

How does reflexology work?

Reflexology induces a state of deep relaxation and since it has been estimated that 75% of disease is stress related, this is a major contribution to the return of health. As treatments continue over time this state of relaxation becomes deeper and more established.

As well as being used to help relieve specific disorders, reflexology may also be used to maintain the efficiency of the body. It helps to stimulate the body's own healing abilities bringing it back into natural balance. Reflexology is a very safe treatment with very few conditions where it would be inappropriate to treat. All ages can benefit, from very young babies to the elderly.

Reflexology also benefits healthy people, as it helps to detox the system, boosts the immune system and acts as a good prevention against illness.

The feet mirror the body, with the toes relating to the head, the ball of the foot relating to the chest area, down to the heel which relates to the hip or pelvic region. A traditional healing art dating from the ancient Egyptians and Chinese times Reflexology is regarded as a natural healing science and is totally based on a technique that applies pressure on minute areas of the feet. This pressure actually stimulates important points on the foot that transfers energy throughout the body.

Studies have proven a wide range of benefits for this therapy including faster wound healing, improved circulation, reductions in sleep and mood problems, and declines in gastrointestinal symptoms, to name just a few.