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LIFESTYLE
THERAPEUTIC
REFLEXOLOGY
eflexology, in its most simple form, is HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS ADVANCED THE PRACTICE
a method of massage during which OF REFLEXOLOGY
a trained practitioner massages, Today, with the invention of computed tomography,
presses and stimulates specifi c parts better known as CT scanning, some credence has
of the feet, hands or ears in order to been given to the idea that the organs of the body are
provide relief to the patient. Many mapped on the feet. If one looks at a full body scan
people find that there are benefi ts to from the soles of the feet, and travels upwards towards
Rhaving regular refl exology sessions. the head, it becomes evident as to how refl exologists
interpret the mapped position of organs on the feet.
A BRIEF HISTORY As an example: the heart, which resides to the left of
It has been well-documented that ancient cultures the chest cavity, is stimulated on the ball of the left foot
used reflexology to ease pain and provide comfort to because this is its natural and obvious mapped position.
those suffering from poor health. Throughout history,
reflexologists have been claiming that the organs of Every organ has its own mapped area on the feet and
the body are mapped out on the soles of the feet. This the reflexologist uses different techniques to locate and
evidence can be found on ancient Egyptian pictographs stimulate each body part during a treatment session.
and on ancient Chinese drawings that accompanied the Modern science accepts that the human body is
Nei Ching (a Chinese Medical Book which is believed to an electromagnetic force field, something that the
have been written around 2500BC). Foot maps have been ancients seemed to have known before the invention of
found on Native American Indian and Inca documents today's modern technology. These energy fields can be
and even ancient Greek vases, depicting the importance stimulated on the feet to cause reflex reactions in the
of the feet – remember the legend of Achilles' heel? organs they are connected to.
32 Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 1 • 2019