Saturday
Jan242009
Sat, January 24, 2009 | Lisa Barger Reflexology
“What is reflexology?”
Reflexology, or “zone therapy”, is a massage technique used on the soles of the feet and, to a lesser extent, the palms of the hands.
Reflexology is almost certainly based on the ancient Chinese practice of acupressure. But unlike acupressure, which is performed on various parts of the body—and always along “energy” lines—reflexology is limited to the palms and feet.
Modern reflexology was invented around 1910 by physicians named William Fitzgerald and Edwin Bowers. They used it mainly to help control pain.
In the 1930s, a nurse named Eunice Ingham “mapped” the entire body on the soles of the feet and claimed that by pressing specific points on the feet, a practitioner could spur healing in the corresponding part of the body. As you might expect, Ingham assigned the “head” to the big toe, the major digestive orders to the arches of the feet and so forth.
Believers claim that reflexology opens up the “meridians” for Qi—the Chinese term for the body’s life force. This, according to them, removes the “roadblocks” to healing.
Critics, as you can imagine, call the entire practice hogwash. They point out that there is no scientific evidence for Qi and no evidence that it could be manipulated this way, even if it existed.
Reflexology, or “zone therapy”, is a massage technique used on the soles of the feet and, to a lesser extent, the palms of the hands.
Reflexology is almost certainly based on the ancient Chinese practice of acupressure. But unlike acupressure, which is performed on various parts of the body—and always along “energy” lines—reflexology is limited to the palms and feet.
Modern reflexology was invented around 1910 by physicians named William Fitzgerald and Edwin Bowers. They used it mainly to help control pain.
In the 1930s, a nurse named Eunice Ingham “mapped” the entire body on the soles of the feet and claimed that by pressing specific points on the feet, a practitioner could spur healing in the corresponding part of the body. As you might expect, Ingham assigned the “head” to the big toe, the major digestive orders to the arches of the feet and so forth.
Believers claim that reflexology opens up the “meridians” for Qi—the Chinese term for the body’s life force. This, according to them, removes the “roadblocks” to healing.
Critics, as you can imagine, call the entire practice hogwash. They point out that there is no scientific evidence for Qi and no evidence that it could be manipulated this way, even if it existed.
This is "retired" article left in place for archival purposes. It may not reflect current thinking or research on the topic.
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