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 ReflexologyReflexology, or zone therapy, is the practice of massaging, squeezing, or pushing on parts of the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve general health.
There is no consensus on how reflexology does or could work in practice; a unifying theme is the idea that areas on the feet correspond to areas of the body, and that by manipulating these areas, one's health through one's Qi.* Geri Marandola Certified Reflexologist member & treasurer of Reflexology of R.I. *In Chinese culture, Qi (spelled in Mandarin Pinyin romanization), pronounced IPA: [tɕʰi], also ch'i (in Wade-Giles romanization), hei (in Jyutping romanization), or ki (in Japanese romanization) is a kind of "life force" or "spiritual energy" that is part of every living thing. It is frequently translated as "energy flow", or literally as "air", "breath", or "gas". (For example, "tiānqì", literally "sky breath", is the ordinary Chinese word for "weather").
Claimed mechanisms of operation Reflexologists posit that the body contains an energy field, invisible life force, or Qi, the blockage of which can prevent healing.
Reflexologists claim to be able to relieve stress and pain in other parts of the body through the manipulation of the feet.
Other proposed effects of reflexology include the release of endorphins (natural pain killers found in the body), the promotion of lymphatic flow in the body or the dissolving of uric acid crystals.
WHY WORK THE FEET?
If you are stressed, overworked or injured, a reflexologist can send a calm and intentional message to the nervous system through a skilled touch to the feet. Your nervous system is designed to respond to new input. A Reflexologist's relaxing touch refocuses your attention from the stress you've been experiencing. Tensions decrease and pain subsides. Working the soles of the feet with specific reflex pressure can soothe, heal and relax the whole body. Therefore applying reflex pressure to specific anatomy body parts can release toxins and build up energies to stimulate the body's own immune system.
History  The precursor of modern reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1913 by William H. Fitzgerald, M.D. (1872-1942), an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and Dr. Edwin Bowers. Fitzgerald claimed that applying pressure had an anesthetic effect on other areas of the body.[5]
Reflexology was further developed by Eunice D. Ingham (1899-1974), a nurse and physiotherapist, in the 1930s and 1940s.[6][7] Ingham claimed that the feet and hands were especially sensitive, and mapped the entire body into "reflexes" on the feet. It was at this time that "zone therapy" was renamed reflexology.
Modern reflexologists in the United States and the United Kingdom often learn Ingham's method first, although there are other more recently developed methods.
An example of a reflexology chart, demonstrating the areas of the feet that practitioners believe correspond with organs in the "zones" of the body.
 WHAT TO EXPECT
Removal of shoes and socks only Warm herbal footbath Stimulation of reflex points for each body system Warm towels and heated stones
Reflexology can help anxiety depression, headaches, sinus problems, neck, shoulders and back pain, constipation, digestive complaints, sleep problems and over worked muscles.
Benefits of a Reflexolgy Session: Natural promotion of balance & normalization of the body Reduction of Stress promotion of relaxation Improve circulation, oxygen, and nutrients delivery to the alls to help
cleanse the body of toxins.
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