Reflexology
WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY 
Reflexology has roots in India, China, Japan, Russia, but it wasn’t until 1913 when Dr William Fitzgerald introduced this therapy to the West as Zone Therapy. He had noted that reflex areas on the feet and hands when pressed gave an anaesthetic type effect on other parts of the body which then helped reflexologists with their knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology map out the internal body structures in miniature on the feet and hands.
How does it work?
Due to the feet having a greater surface area and larger reflex points and because they are generally more sensitive most reflexologists will treat here unless there is a injury or an infection then a treatment can be carried out on the hands instead.
With a client sitting in a reclined position a reflexologist will firstly cleanse a clients feet then start with a gentle massage before carrying out a routine adapted to each clients needs. Using techniques of various holds and by applying pressure on certain reflex points healing can be both initiated and accelerated in the corresponding area of the body.
The massage techniques aid relaxation and help to break down toxins which have accumulated within the body, and naturally settle at the lowest point - the feet. In some cases these toxins actually form into crystals, which can be felt under the skin (like grains of sugar). These form a physical blockage in the reflex zone that impedes function in the related body part. These little crystals of waste products can be located by your reflexologist whilst undergoing the treatment and the reflexology technique breaks them down and the deposits are then carried away by the blood and lymph flow and eliminated by the body in the usual manner.
The Benefits. 
Reflexology encourages good circulation, the vessels of the heart receive optimum blood supply and every single cell in the body benefits from this. In experiments when thermal imaging photos are taken of a client before they had a reflexology treatment the main heat sources would be shown mainly around the areas of our vital organs. However following a reflexology treatment when the same thermal photo is taken it shows the heat dispersed all around the body. This this is due to the blood flow flowing freely to every part of the body to an optimum level causing the thermal heat level to be shown everywhere not just solely to the vital organs. This improvement on the blood circulation helps nutrients and oxygen needed by the body for energy to be dispersed efficiently to all the organs and cells. Also it helps trapped nervous energy and improves neural efficiency as approximately 7000 nerves are stimulated by reflexology massage.
One of the wonders of Reflexology is that it can bring about the same sensations of relaxation and restfulness that a full body massage can produce and therefore it can be considered most useful in the treatment of stress.
Sometimes the body is in a state of ‘imbalance’ following illness or injury, disease or stress and energy pathways are blocked preventing the body from functioning effectively. Reflexology helps restore and maintain the body’s natural equilibrium and encourages healingand even though it not a cure it can help speed up the healing process. Tensions are eased and elimination improved and the body is encouraged to heal itself.
Indeed Reflexology can benefit almost everyone. Even from birth the results can be so beneficial that now an increasing number of people are using this safe, natural therapy for both their children and themselves as a way of relaxing, balancing and harmonising the body. Clients may experience some discomfort in certain areas, however this will usually be brief and it will indicate areas of imbalance in the body. Generally the treatment will feel wonderful, relaxing and soothing. Whether participating in one treatment or a course of treatments, you will truly be engaging in what can only be described as a life changing experience