It is our goal as therapists to encourage the highest level of healing in our clients. Therefore we need to educate and open their mind to the widely excepted concept that mind, body and soul are connected in regards to disease and disharmony. When there is an imbalance, all of these levels are affected. We should strive to promote healing for our clients on all levels to lower the chance of reoccurring imbalances. Keep in mind that each client will have a different way of understanding and a different level of accepting energy healing. Each client will take what ever they need in that moment in their life from this experience. Your job is to spark their awareness and bring balance into their life. 

There are 7 Chakras in the Hindu system, which are located at the 7 Endocrine glands. Chakra means wheel, and they are also called lotus flowers, as each chakra has a certain number of leaves, petals, or spokes.

Various techniques have been presented on working with the chakras, both optimizing balanced chakras to allow more chi energy through, and helping or balancing chakras that are not functioning properly. You can activate the chakra through breathing, visualization, movement, and yoga postures. Projecting love and light into the chakra is also good for malfunctioning and blocked chakras, but not overactive ones, which already have enough energy going through them.  Imagine the area of the affected chakra as pervaded by a brilliant white, golden, or other colored light, which is of the complete essence of love. Imagine this light healing the chakra, opening it, and restoring it to its proper functioning. Chakra balancing can also be achieved through the use of the crystals associated with each chakra, and even by wearing clothes in the color matching the imbalanced chakra.

There are certain health conditions , where Reflexology has no benefit and practicing it may make a condition worse.

These conditions include, but are not limited to:

1.      Cancer – can spread tumor.

2.      During pregnancy – avoid reproductive system, hormonal glands and treating from the waist down.

3.      Unstable blood pressure.

4.      Kidney stones.

5.      Blood clots.

6.      Medications – Insulin, blood thinners or high blood pressure.

7.      Acute infections – chickenpox, smallpox…

8.      Pacemakers, severe heart problems and implants – work on response area.

9.      Drug or alcohol abuse.

10. Osteoporosis – use gentle pressure.

11. Mental problems.

12. Shatters – bullet, glass…

13. Severe cases of fungus or athlete foot.

14. Sore feet.

15. Full or empty stomach – wait for one hour after a meal.

16. Children – five years or older, lighter pressure and shorter treatment.

So What Is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a natural healing art, which is based on the principals that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to every part and organ in the body. By applying the correct pressure on specific points on the feet or hands, the nerves are stimulated and circulation of blood and energy occurs. Reflexology has been used around the globe for centuries to diagnose and treat disease. This widely known healing art has been used in the past mainly for the relief of stress and pain reduction, due to the release of endorphins caused by the pressure points. “Crystals” that form at the end of nerves cause blockage in the flow of life force, energy. Through reflexology these energetic blockages dissolve, natural energy flow is restored, homeostasis is achieved and the body heals itself naturally. These special points on the hands and feet connect to the organs of the body through both the nervous system and energy paths.

Benefits to Reflexology

Through the use of reflexology we can affect any system in the body. It has been proven to:

·        reduces stress

·        relieves chronic pain (headache, migraine, ect.)

·        releases tight muscles

·        cleanses the lymphatic system

·        helps with hormonal imbalances

·        balances high or low blood pressure

·        improves digestion functioning

·        clears inflammations (fever)

·        helps with sleep disorders

·        helps with reproduction problems

·        helps with spinal and joint injuries

The most concrete evidence of the practice of reflexology in ancient culture was the discovery of the above wall painting depicting the practice of hand and foot reflexology in the tomb of Ankhmahor (highest official after the Pharaoh) at Saqqara, which is also known as the physicians tomb. This Egyptian wall painting is dated at the 6th dynasty, about 2330 B.C. Prior to this discovery it was widely believed that reflexology had ancient origins and frequent conjecture was made about its relationship to and development alongside the ancient Oriental practices of shiatsu and acupuncture. Similarly, North American Indian medicine men are believed to manipulate and stimulate the feet as a part of their healing practice.

As additional information being gathered, it seems that variations of the modern practice of reflexology existed in all of the ancient healing cultures. In our western culture one of the earliest books to be written on reflexology was published in 1582 by two eminent European physicians, Dr. Adamus and Dr. A'tatis. A second reflexology book by a Dr. Bell was published shortly after.

 It was, however, a Dr. William H. Fitzgerald who advanced and developed the initial popular practice of reflexology in our contemporary Western society. Dr. Fitzgerald studied at the University of Vermont and graduated in 1895. For two and a half years he practiced medicine in Boston City Hospital before transferring to the Central London Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, England. He also practiced under the famous Professors Pulitzer at an ear, nose and throat clinic in Vienna.

How Dr. Fitzgerald originated his research in this area remains a mystery. Conjecture has been made that he discovered his ideas in Europe and brought them to North America. Alternatively, it is suggested that, in his desire to develop a method of anesthesia for minor surgery, he noted the instinctive tight gripping of a chair arm by patients in their response to pain, and began to explore that phenomenon.

In 1913 he brought his initial findings to the attention of the medical profession while he was head of the Nose and Throat Department of St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. He had discovered that pressure, when applied to certain points on the body could relieve pain and improve the functions of certain organs of the body. In his research Dr. Fitzgerald developed a new system of ten zones running from the top of the head to the tips of the toes and hands. Dr. Edwin Bowers, medical critic and writer, investigated Dr. Fitzgerald's claims, appeased his skepticism, and jointly authored with Dr. Fitzgerald the book "Zone Therapy" - the name by which reflexology was known until the early 1960's.