Reflexology is a specialised form of foot massage. It is thought to have its origins in the East and is also considered to be a branch of acupuncture. There are depictions of Reflexology being practiced in ancient Egypt, which were found in the tomb of the Egyptian physician Ankmahor, dating from around 2500 BC. Sometimes reflexology is known as Reflex Zone therapy, or just Zone Therapy.

Modern Reflexology dates primarily from the work of two Americans, Dr William Fitzgerald and Eunice Ingham. Dr Fitzgerald was a graduate of the University of Vermont, and he practiced medicine in both Europe and America. He put forward the theory that certain zones on the foot had a correspondence with ten zones that extended the length of the body. These zones were of equal width and length and extended from the back through to the front. Eunice Ingham who worked tirelessly on Fitzgerald's theories was the first person to develop a “map” of the foot  and extended his work in relation to these zones of the body. She worked and taught Reflexology for thirty years and penned two books: The Stories the Feet Can Tell and Stories the Feet Have Told. These were probably the first texts written on Reflexology.

Any one with first hand experience of Reflexology will tell you that it is a very pleasant experience. The therapist will usually treat the patient whilst they are reclining on a treatment couch with their legs supported and their feet just extending off the end of the couch. The patient should be warm, comfortable and relaxed. The feet will have been cleaned and dried before the treatment begins with general stroking movements, starting on the toes and working down the length of each foot to the heel. The therapist will be feeling for areas of tension or tenderness and may massage these spots using a variety of techniques to put pressure on the reflex points. Techniques include kneading, rolling, rotating, stretching and pinching. The treatment of a reflex point may feel uncomfortable at first, but not painful, and as the treatment progresses the tenderness diminishes as the underlying congestion is relieved. Most people leave the reflexologist feeling calm, comforted and exhilarated. If the treatment is working on balancing underlying health problems then there may be a healing reaction to the treatment after one or two days; this may be a mild headache, a runny nose, increased urination or bowel movements and occasionally a skin rash. This is a necessary part of the healing process and should be short-lived; during these symptoms the patient will often report that they are feeling better within themselves.

Each Reflexology treatment will usually last for around forty-five minutes to an hour, and the number of treatments that are needed will depend upon the patient and the nature of the complaint. Many people continue to have Reflexology treatments after their main complaint has gone, simply because they enjoy it so much, possibly because it can induce such deep relaxation. When the body is deeply relaxed the healing response is increased, leading to better elimination of toxins, improved circulation and a general feeling of well being.

Vacuflex

Perhaps less enjoyable but quicker and more high tech is the Vacuflex method of Reflexology, introduced by Dutch Reflexologist Inge Dougans in the 1970's. She came to the conclusion that Reflexology worked not just through the zones of the body laid down by Dr Fitzgerald, but by treating the main acupuncture meridians that flow through the feet.

The Vacuflex system uses special boots, which create a vacuum and treat the whole foot in just five minutes. When the boots are removed the reflex points that have been tender and congested will remain red for around thirty seconds, diagnostic aid. The Vacuflex method is accompanied by treatment of the acupuncture meridians, which are stimulated by silicon pads that stay in place due to gentle suction.

Children can be treated by either method of treatment and can respond very quickly. It is also possible to learn the rudiments of Reflexology to enable you to treat your children for a variety of acute ailments at home. Massage and stroke the child's feet looking for tender areas then pay those areas particular attention, massaging them for a few moments before moving on to the next area. Children will enjoy the extra attention you are giving them, they will also be relaxed by the massage, while the gentle pressure on the tender areas may help to relieve congestion and speed their return to full health.