About Reflexology
In Japan, reflexology is referred as "Ashi-tsubo (足 foot + つぼ acupressure point)" which mainly indicates an eastern style reflexology or as just "Reflexology", same pronunciation as English but mostly indicates a western style reflexology.
Reflexology is an alternative medicine to promote health and improve physical conditions by stimulating specific points on the feet and the hands where the body organs and structure are reflected.
Benefits of Reflexology
Reflexology is an alternative medicine to promote health and improve physical conditions by stimulating specific points on the feet and the hands where the body organs and structure are reflected.
Benefits of Reflexology
- Improvement of blood circulation
- Strengthening natural healing power and immunity
- Relaxation effects
- Improvement of sleep quality
- Reduction of pains
History of reflexolology
Ancient Reflexology
Ancient depiction in a Pyramid in Saqqara (Physician's Tomb) Source: Pinterest
This is a wall picture found in tomb at Saqqara, Egypt, drawn in 2330 B.C. In this picture, their hands and feet are treated.
Patient - "Don't hurt me"
Therapist - "I shall act so you praise me"
This is a wall picture found in tomb at Saqqara, Egypt, drawn in 2330 B.C. In this picture, their hands and feet are treated.
Patient - "Don't hurt me"
Therapist - "I shall act so you praise me"
Source: Marcel's Kid Crafts
Symbols drawn on the soles of buddha. Reflexology traditions are found in India and China. The Chinese classic, the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, written around 1,000 BC has a chapter on “Examining Foot Method”. In the 1300s, Marco Polo translated a Chinese massage book into Italian and introduced reflexology and massage to Europe. In 1582, a book on zone therapy was published by Dr. Adamus and Dr. A’tatis.
Modern Reflexology
Symbols drawn on the soles of buddha. Reflexology traditions are found in India and China. The Chinese classic, the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, written around 1,000 BC has a chapter on “Examining Foot Method”. In the 1300s, Marco Polo translated a Chinese massage book into Italian and introduced reflexology and massage to Europe. In 1582, a book on zone therapy was published by Dr. Adamus and Dr. A’tatis.
Modern Reflexology
Source: Reflexology Malahide
Modern reflexology’s father is American William Fitzgerald, MD. He wrote a book called Zone Therapy in 1917 and wrote about ten vertical zones that extended the length of the body. Later Dr. Shelby Riley developed horizontal three zones across the body. In 1930s, Eunice Ingham, an American physiotherapist made a foot chart, specific body organs and parts are reflected on certain areas of the feet.
Present Reflexology
Modern reflexology’s father is American William Fitzgerald, MD. He wrote a book called Zone Therapy in 1917 and wrote about ten vertical zones that extended the length of the body. Later Dr. Shelby Riley developed horizontal three zones across the body. In 1930s, Eunice Ingham, an American physiotherapist made a foot chart, specific body organs and parts are reflected on certain areas of the feet.
Present Reflexology
Father Joseph Eugster, reflexologist Source: Taiwan English News
Present reflexology’s main styles are eastern one and western one. The techniques are different but the basic concepts are both based on the modern reflexology from America. RWO-SHR reflexology originated in Taiwan was spreader by Swiss father Joseph Eugster.
Present reflexology’s main styles are eastern one and western one. The techniques are different but the basic concepts are both based on the modern reflexology from America. RWO-SHR reflexology originated in Taiwan was spreader by Swiss father Joseph Eugster.
Difference between Eastern and Western
There are two main reflexology styles today.
Eastern Reflexology
Western Reflexology
Both western style and eastern style have the same reflexology concept. It depends on the person's preference and one should not say which is better, which is not. Some people may think stronger pressure has more effect and others may think weaker pressure has a better result in relaxation.
Eastern style tends to start from the left foot, while western style starts from the right foot. There are various theories but in eastern style they think it is better to start near the heart which is the left foot and it enhances the heart's function. And in western style they think it is better not to start closer to the heart because it may be stressful to the heart.
Eastern Reflexology
- Harder pressure
- Use knuckles
- Promote health by giving harder pressure
Western Reflexology
- Softer pressure
- Use balls of the fingers (thumb walking technique)
- Enhance relaxation effects by gentle treatment
Both western style and eastern style have the same reflexology concept. It depends on the person's preference and one should not say which is better, which is not. Some people may think stronger pressure has more effect and others may think weaker pressure has a better result in relaxation.
Eastern style tends to start from the left foot, while western style starts from the right foot. There are various theories but in eastern style they think it is better to start near the heart which is the left foot and it enhances the heart's function. And in western style they think it is better not to start closer to the heart because it may be stressful to the heart.
