Hand Reflexology: The Ultimate Guide to Hand Reflexology
What is hand reflexology? Hand Reflexology is a ancient healing technique, and a form of touch therapy that applies pressure on specific areas on the hands. Practitioners believe the body is an interconnection of reflex points that correspond to different organs and body parts. Various combinations of finger and thumb techniques are used on specific reflex points in the hand to bring stress and pain relief.
Background History
Reflexology was first introduced to the American medical community by Dr. William Fitzgerald between the years 1915 to 1917.
Dr. Fitzgerald believed that the body is divided into ten vertical zones running from the head all the way down to the foot. In 1917 he wrote, “Zone Therapy or Relieving Pain in the Home.”
In the book, he describes how each zone corresponds to a particular organ.
Applying pressure on the zones that correspond to an area of the body that has an injury will bring relief.
Dr. Fitzgerald’s work earned him the title “father of reflexology.”
Dr. Joe Shelby Riley was a believer in Fitzgerald's work and brought Zone Reflex, as the treatment was then known, to the American mainstream.
Dr. Riley added horizontal zones across the body and created a map of reflex points in the feet and the hands.
Dr. Reily’s work on Zone Therapy was furthered by Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist working with him.
Ms. Ingham researched on pressure points noted in Dr. Riley’s work and realized the foot to have the most sensitive and responsive reflex points.
She came up with her own foot and hand reflexology charts and details the zones and the areas of the body it connects to.
Her reflexology charts are still widely used and sold today.
Eunice Ingham wrote a book, “Stories The Feet Can Tell,” which made reflexology available to more people outside of the medical community.
Her work has been carried on by her nephew Dwight Byers and her pioneering reflexology training is available at the International Reflexology Institute in Florida.
Mildred Carter trained under Eunice Ingham and released the first book on hand reflexology, “Hand Reflexology: Key to Perfect Health” in 1975.
Mildred Carter has released other books on hand and foot reflexology which has opened doors for other self-help books to be published in the market.
The Origins Of Reflexology
There has been some confusion regarding the origins of reflexology.
William Fitzgerald has not made any mentions of where his Zone Therapy was based on or if he had any Asian influences.
The American Academy of Reflexology and other sources have stressed reflexology was the work and discovery of three medical doctors - Doctors William Fitzgerald and Joe Shelby Riley of the United States, and Dr. Paul Nogier of France.
Some practitioners believe reflexology has its roots in Chinese and Egyptian healing practices.
The claims are based on the traditional Chinese practice of acupressure and how applying pressure on these points help to clear out blockages to ensure the chi flows throughout the body.
The Taoist belief of chi and its influence on a person’s health can be traced to about 5,000 years ago.
The Egyptian connection has been linked to a hieroglyphic mural found in a pyramid in Saqqara called the Tomb of Ankhmahor.
It is also referred to as “Physician’s Tomb” because of the medical instruments and murals featuring surgical and healing treatments found inside.
The hieroglyphic mural--dating from 2,500 years ago-- shown below depicts 2 men getting massage treatments done on their hands and feet.
Arguments have been raised against claims that reflexology is rooted in Chinese traditional medicine or other ancient practices.
Sides have been taken by those who believe it is and by those that deny the claim.
There are no clearcut answers yet but what can not be denied are the anecdotal evidence of reflexology helping many people with their pains.
Reflexology has helped them manage their health concerns without the aid of medication and in a non-invasive manner.
The Difference Between Reflexology and Acupressure
The traditional Chinese medicine method of acupressure has strong similarities with the belief of manipulating pressure points to bring relief to areas in the body where there may be life force or energy imbalances.
With reflexology, the emphasis is on relieving stress and tension so it does not harm the body.
In contrast, acupressure is concerned with unblocking stagnant chi in the body and restoring its flow to avoid its manifesting as an illness.
Acupressure relies on a system of energy lines called meridians which run the length of the body.
In Chinese Taoist belief, there are 14 meridians with 800 pressure points scattered throughout those lines.
Interestingly, the hands and feet only have 30 pressure points and one meridian point on the bottom of the feet.
Reflexology, on the other hand, has reflex maps for the feet, hands, and even the ears which corresponds to organs and body parts.
Reflex maps do not necessarily match meridian points used in acupressure.
Bill Flocco, a leading proponent of hand and foot reflexology, describes reflex maps as complex and a homunculus or resembling the human body.
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