Foot Massage: All the Benefits of Reflexology in the Convenience of Your Own Home

Sometimes a relaxing foot massage is just what you need. Delivered by a caring partner, massaging the feet conveys comfort and care. But the mechanical stimulation of your feet doesn't just feel good.

The discipline of reflexology teaches us that foot massage can be healing massage. The good news is, you don't need to see a reflexologist. You can get many of the benefits of healing foot massage in the convenience and privacy of your own home.

From ancient Egypt to the USA. Reflexology has been practiced in Egypt for thousands of years, but it was introduced into the United States in 1913 by William Fitzgerald, a physician who was an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Dr. Fitzgerald noticed that certain zones on the feet corresponded to other parts of the body and that stimulating them correcting imbalances in those parts of the body. He called his technique "zone therapy."

In the 1930's the technique was further developed by Eunice D. Ingham, who was a nurse and physiotherapist. She found that the feet especially sensitive to zone therapy (Dr. Fitzgerald had also worked with the hands and ears), so she mapped the functions of entire body into their "reflexes" on the feet. Due to her efforts "zone therapy" was renamed reflexology.

Three theories of how reflexology works. How does reflexology work? There are three major theories.

One theory is that when pressure is applied to the feet, a signal travels through the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system to the brain, which makes necessary adjustments in hormonal levels that affect specific areas of the body.

Another theory is that stimulating the 7200 nerves in the feet can break up patterns of stress. And a third theory is that "chi" or "life force" can become blocked in its channels and unblocked by gentle stimulation of the feet.

Which theory is right? As long as you are relying on reflexology massage to feel better, it really doesn't make any difference how it works! The simple truth about many healing methods is they don't cure diseases, they just make you feel great! That's the real value in reflexology foot massage. When you feel better, your body sorts things out. When you feel better, soon you really are better, and it's not all about disease and cure.

Foot massage is safe for adults and children alike. And with gentle infrared radiant heat, it feels even better.