Reflexology has over a 5,000 year history and was used in ancient India, China and Japan. An American doctor, William Fitzgerald developed the form we know today in 1913.   Reflex areas in the feet (or the hands) correspond with parts of the body, so reflexology treats the body as a whole.  These points are massaged to unblock energy channels in the body and heal the damage caused by these blocks.  

A reflexologist has a highly refined sense of touch and can detect tiny deposits and imbalances in the feet and will work on these points; there may be a feeling of tenderness in the areas being massaged, but the treatment itself is gentle and relaxing. Reflexology encourages the body to heal itself and to return to an optimum state of healthy functioning.

Reflexology can be used to treat specific health conditions, but can also be used as a diagnostic tool to detect imbalances you may not have been aware of.    A detailed medical history will be taken and a treatment usually lasts around an hour, more than one session may be required.    There may be a temporary reaction after the treatment as the body adjusts or releases toxins, this is part of the healing process and will only last a short time, and most people experience a sense of well being and relaxation. 

Many clinical trials have been conducted and thousands of papers published proving the effectiveness of reflexology for many conditions including MS, fertility, asthmas, insomnia constipation and many more.  It has also proved very useful as a method of pain relief during labour and decreasing the time of childbirth. Reflexology is holistic in that it treats the whole body, so it is a natural way to relieve stress, restore balance and stimulate the bodys natural healing process.