Introduction To Reflexology

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Foot Notes

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7,000 nerve endings in the foot

26 bones, 55 articulations, 107 ligaments and 19 intrinsic muscles

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What is reflexology

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Method of working the feet (hands, ears) which has as its premise that there are points or areas on the feet (hands and ears) the correspond to every organ, gland and system in the body. Applying specific pressure to these points and areas will help normalize organ function, thereby producing a state of homeostasis

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Dr. Joseph Shelby Riley

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developed the work suggesting horizontal zones as well as longitudinal ones. He was the first to create drawings of points on the hands and the feet. Wrote book Zone Reflex

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Sir Charles Sherrington, Nobel Prize winner discovered....

Theory and Proprioception

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any stimulus to any part of the nervous system will results in an adjustment to the entire nervous system

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Dr. Edgar Adraian, shared Nobel Prized with Sherrington...... he discovered

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that the strength of a nerve impulse is dependent upon the size of the nerve than the strength of the stimulus

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Four Major Horizontal Guidelines
-Neck/Shoulder

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base of proximal phalanges

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-Diaphragm Line

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beneath the heads of the metatarsals

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-Waist Line

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a line across the foot from the high point of the protuberance of the 5th metatarsal

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-Pelvic Line

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a line across the foot from a point just distal to the calcaneus at the lateral side of the foot

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Arches of the foot (5)
Medial longitudinal

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runs along the medial side of the foot

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Arches of the foot (5) - two
-Lateral Longitudinal

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-runs along the lateral side of the foot

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-Anterior Metatarsal (transverse)

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corresponds to the neck/shoulder line

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-Posterior Metatarsal (transverse)

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corresponds to the diaphragm line

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-Tarsal Arch (transverse)

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corresponds to the waist line

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Basic rules of reflexology
-

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plantar surface of the foot represents the deeper organs, glands and systems of the foot

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basic rules (cont'd)

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dorsal surface of the foot represents the more superficial areas of the body

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basic

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the right foot represents the right side of the body, the left foot the left side

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basic

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if something is bilateral in the body there is a corresponding reflex on each foot

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basic

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if something is unilateral in the body, there if a reflex only on the corresponding foot

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Benefits of reflexology

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reduces stress
-approx 75% of today diseases are attributed to stress affecting various body systems in different ways and varying degrees. reducing stress effects eases the effects of the disease

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benefits

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improves circulation
- helps to normalize the functioning of organs, glads and systems

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benefits

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facilitates detoxification
- toxic waste can collect in the soles of the feet. These can be felt as areas of congestion . by breaking up waste the body can then reabsorb the smaller particles and eliminate them

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benefits

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promotes homeostasis
-when all organs, systems, glands are operating properly, body comes into balance

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Relaxation and warm-up session

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purpose is to:
-relax client
-acquaint client with your touch
-allow you to observe clients feet
-warm the feet for deeper work

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Preparation for session

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remove jewelry
-set table at proper height
-place sheet on table w/open towel across width of the foot of the table
-position client w/feet at end of table
-sit properly
-center and ground yourself
-observe clients feet w/your eyes
-observe clients feet by touch - palpating both feet at the same time

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What a reflexologist can not do

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prognosticate-be careful not to predict future health of the client based on any symptoms or tenderness of the clients feet

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can not...

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prescribe -any over the counter medications, vitamins or herbs as this can be taken as prescribing medication

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can not...

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treat a specific illness (to cure)- specific reflexes for specific conditions - however this does not insure a cure

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can not......

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diagnose - no one can be 100% sure of the exact location of reflexes. Must not indicate to a client that they have a problem with a specific organ based on tenderness in a particular area of the foot

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Eunice D. Ingham
nurse and physiotherapist worked closely w/Dr. Riley on concept of zone therapy

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developed her foot reflex theory in early 1930's - treated hundreds of patients and carefully documented her work until she was able to map the organs, glands and systems of the body and match reflexes on feet as we know them today.

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How does reflexology work?

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by improving circulation though the nervous system
normalizing the body. Overactive glands or organs can be helped to return to normal, as well as returning under active organs or glands to their normal state of function

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Four Major reflexology techniques
finger walking
thumb walking
rotation on a point
hook in and back up

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finger walking
-lightest technique
-done or dorsal surface of foot, ankle
or extremely sensitive area
-done by bending only the distal phalange of the index finger, then creeping forward- maintaining constant pressure

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Thumb walking

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-primary technique
-used to work zones
-done by bending only the distal phalange of the thumb, creeping forward while maintaining a constant pressure

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Rotation on Point

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-thumb becomes a stabilized point and the foot is rotated onto the point
-more the foot is brought to the thumb, the deeper the pressure

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Hook In and Back Up

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-deepest technique
-only used on areas of the foot here the fascia is the thickest
-sink thumb deep into the tissue and bend the distal phalange of the thumb to 90 degrees. moving the underlying tissue (thumb should not slide across the surface of the skin)

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Ways to prevent injury
wrist, thumb

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-sit in tripod poisition
-use small movements, of distal phalange only
-keep thumb and index finger aligned with the radius
-brace arm against the body while working from the hara
-nail short
-table correct height
-be ambidexterous

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contraindications to reflexology

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-athlete's foot
-plantar warts
-open sore, wound or ulcer
-callouses
-corns
-blister
-ingrown toe nails
-bunions
-hammer toes
-claw toes
-recent fracture, sprain in acute stage, unexplained bilateral pitting edema

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cautions

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-pregnancy (get doctor's permission)
avoid working reproductive reflexes
-cancer
-work when chemo toxic load is lightest
- get doctor's approval
-diabetes
- people are high risk for infection
- avoid extremes of temperature
- make sure feet are dry
-inform them of any cuts, blister, bruises
-watch depth of pressure
-length of therapists nails

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William H Fitzgerald, MD
ear, nose and throat specialist

- Wrote book "Zone Therapy" 1917
founding father of Zone Therapy'

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called his work "zone analgesia" using pressure applied to the zones corresponding to the location of the injury.
-Divided body into 10 zones
-discovered application not only relieved pain, but in majority of cases relieved underlying cause as well.