Many celebrities have been famously devoted to reflexology, a healing technique based on the application of pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, and ears. The late Princess Diana reportedly visited her reflexologist three times a week! Globetrotting chef and author Anthony Bourdain also love reflexology, so much so that he once told the Boston Herald that the ingredients for his perfect vacation would include “an angry Chinese reflexologist.” Even the members of Metallica admit to loving reflexology. When the band tours, they bring along their “voodoo doctor,” according to vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield, who uses reflexology to keep the members in peak condition for their infamously high-energy performances.
Why You Can Benefit From Reflexology, Too
Anyone can benefit from reflexology, unlike some health and lifestyle practices favored by celebrities that are either prohibitively expensive or otherwise impractical to try out for yourself. Reflexologist believe that specific spots on your feet, hands, and ears correspond to the organs and other systems of your body. By pressing those spots, they can improve organ function…alleviate chronic pain and inflammation…and maximize your overall health.
Millions of individuals worldwide use reflexology as part of their treatment plan for conditions such as…
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- Sinusitis
- Headaches
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
Mapping the Body With Reflexology
Reflexologists use maps of reflex points to identify where to apply pressure to alleviate a certain condition. Although the exact location of those points can vary from reflexologist to reflexologist, a general agreement exists on the major ones. Take the feet, for example. Each foot represents a vertical half of the body: by applying pressure to points on the left foot, you can address conditions in all the organs, valves, and so on found on that side of the body, and vice versa for the right foot. Since your liver is located on the right side of your body, 
any issues with your liver would be resolved by pressing the correct point on the right foot.
While this may sound improbable, researchers have carried out experiments that confirm links between the skin and the internal organs. In Denmark, where various local governments and companies have made reflexology available to their citizens and employees respectively since the 1990s, studies indicate that this reflexology has reduced the number of days taken off work and increased job satisfaction, These results came about after as few as six sessions! Those who participated also reported that reflexology improved the conditions they asked the reflexologists to target, as well as additional, seemingly unrelated problems, like stress.
Try a Mini-Session Right Now!
The best way to experience the benefits of reflexology is find a qualified practitioner near you. You can try a mini-session right now though, if you would like!
Begin by sitting in a comfortable position in a quiet room and massaging lotion into your feet using squeezing…stroking…kneading…motions.
- Then, cross your right foot over your left knee and hold it with your left hand.
- Place the thumb of your right hand on the sole of your right foot, and starting at the heel, apply a steady, even pressure with the ball of your thumb while moving your thumb forward in a caterpillar-like motion. This technique is called “thumb walking.”
- Press your thumb into the sole of your foot, inch it forward, press again, and continue.
- When you reach your toes, move back to your heel and continue thumb walking until you have covered the entire sole of your foot.
- When you finish, repeat the thumb walking technique on your left foot.
By using simple, targeted techniques like thumb walking, reflexology can restore balance to your mind and body. Hopefully, you felt that for yourself, and hopefully, you’re also feel quite relaxed!
