Reflexology
Feel Better - Head to Toe!

Reflexology is a natural alternative to soothe nerve endings, loosen tight muscles, improve blood circulation, reduce stress, and remove toxins. Our feet are our main support. They are in constant connection with our brain, allowing us to stand, walk and balance. Our feet carry several hundred tons of total weight in a day. In the small enclosure of shoes, we walk up to 5 miles on an average day! To do this, a certain level of tension must be maintained by the foot with repeated patterns. This causes our feet to get tired and sore, creating stress throughout our entire body.

Reflexology is energy-based healing that works through the nervous system of the body. How it works is by stimulating areas on the feet that correspond to different parts of our anatomy. Think of each sole as a map of your entire body. Stimulating these corresponding reflexes sends messages to the associated body parts.

Reflexology is known to relieve tension, improve circulation, aid in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells. It also helps to bring your body to a natural state of balance. Tension, stress, illness, and pain cause a chemical called substance P to build up around the nerve endings of our extremities. Applying gentle pressure to targeted spots breaks down this chemical and starts the natural healing process. That's where do-it-yourself reflexology step ins. By using specific hand/finger techniques, along with essential oils applied to the feet, you can interrupt stress and clear any blockages that occur from everyday wear and tear. Although there is no substitute for a professional reflexology session, there are many self-care techniques you can do yourself to help ease tired, achy feet and aid the body in its own healing process. Self-care reflexology techniques done regularly, enhanced with therapeutic-grade essential oils, bring you one step closer to good health.

Applying essential oils to the feet with relexology is a very safe, effective way to deliver the oils healing properties throughout the body. In order to get the most benefit from the true healing power of oils, it is important to chose the highest quality therapeutic-grade essential oils. From the different methods of essential oil applications, the topical application of therapeutic-grade oils is healing along with their inhalation. When applying the oils, first drop the appropriate amount into the palm of one hand, use the fingers of the other hand and rub on the desired area. After applying the essential oils, vigorously rub your hands together, close your eyes, and cup your hands over your nose. Sit quietly for a few minutes and take several long, deep breaths. This gives the added healing benefits of aromatherapy with reflexology.


Are you ready to begin self-care reflexology? Start with an ankle rotation exercise. In a standing position, incline one foot onto the ball of the foot. In this position, rotate clockwise ten times, then counterclockwise ten times, switch feet and repeat. This is to relax the foot, loosening the four major muscle groups that connect the foot and leg. The remainder of these exercises should be done in a seated position by placing the foot onto the thigh of the opposite leg.

To try reflexology yourself, move your thumb in a small circular motion around each area on the sole of the foot. Press firmly, using a pulsing, on/off pressure. Start just below the balls of the feet to promote relaxation. This area corresponds with the solar plexus. Inch your thumb to the next area you want to treat with the same movement. Proceed slowly and be patient, experiment to find the most comfortable pressure. Painful places can indicate imbalance or an ailment in the related organ or area of the body.

People have reported relief for sinus and respiratory problems with the following technique. Use a couple drops each of eucalyptus and ravensara essential oils. These are applied to the toes of each foot. Eucalyptus is a powerful antimicrobial oil used for respiratory infections. Ravensara is antibacterial and antiviral and is well known for to support the nerves and respiratory system. Place your left hand on the top surface and the right hand on the bottom surface of all five toes, rub vigorously back and forth. This helps to send the oils inward. For the next step, support the base of the toes of the left foot with the left hand. Grab the big toe on either side between the index finger and thumb of the right hand and "crab walk" down to the base of the toe. Take about five to six steps for this process and repeat in two rows. Then do the same "crab walk" along the inside and outside of the toe in two rows. Repeat this exercist for each toe and then switch feet. This will help to stimulate the reflexes of the head, brain, and sinuses. Sit quietly for a few minutes, breathe in the aroma of healing oils which are especially beneficial for sinus and respiratory conditions!

Several oils have been reported to be of help for intestinal or stomach discomfort. The two favorite essential oils that can be effective in relieving digestive problems are peppermint and fennel. Peppermint soothes digestion. Peppermint can also be both cooling and warming and is known for its pain relieving properties. Fennel aids in digestion and supports pancreatic function in the body. Apply two to three drops of each of these oils to the bottom surface of the foot between the ball and the heel, rub the oils in thoroughly. Grasp your foot with the left hand along the top of the foot, just below the ankle. With the thumb of your right hand, slowly walk up the arch of the foot vertically. Make several passes from the right to the left, taking about twelve steps per pass. Repeat at least two times for each foot. Many of the reflexes you will be stimulating in this area are the stomach, liver, pancreas, colon, and small intestines. Always remember to inhale when using essential oils in reflexololy!

One favorite oil blend for helping relieve PMS symptoms and headaches that are caused by hormonal imbalances is thirty drops clary sage, twenty drops fennel, twenty drops marjoram, five drops jasmine and eight drops sage. Pre-mix this blend and apply five drops of it to the area below each anklebone and then across the front of the foot, between the ankles. Grasp the left foot with the right hand from behind the ankle. Position the thumb at the midway point between the anklebone and the posterior edge of the heel. Position the index finger in the same place, on the opposite side. Exerting pressure with the thumb and index finger, rotate the foot in a clockwise direction six times, then in a counterclockwise direction six times. Repeat with varying pressure and switch feet. This reflexology action helps stimulate ovary and uterus reflexes on women and testicle and prostate reflexes on men. Once again, remember to inhale the fragrance. Does this work? A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women with PMS who underwent 30-minute reflexology treatments for two months experienced a 46 percent reduction in symptoms, and maintained the benefits for two months following treatment.

To improve overall circulation, the best reflexology technique is to work the entire foot. Lemon and cypress oils are known to be very effective for this purpose. Lemon is known to improve microcirculation and immune function, cypress to increase circulation, strengthen blood capillaries, and support the nerves. Apply one or both of these oils to the entire foot covering both the top and bottom. With one hand on the top surface and one hand on the bottom surface, vigorously rub your entire foot.

Last but not least, try this simple tip after a long, hard day when your feet are very tired. Pour hot water into a tub or basin with one cup of Epsom salts and eight drops of lavender oil. Soak away and remember to inhale.

Here is a quick "hands off" reflexology tip when sitting around a table or while on the phone. Roll a tennis ball under your foot, from the heel to the ball of the foot. This is a great way to stretch the long tendon that runs along the bottom of the foot. It's also a quick, easy way to stimulate those reflexes on the bottom surface of your foot.

Plan to spend five to 10 minutes working on each foot putting the most effort on tender areas and trouble spots. Reflexology can be done any time of the day, but it's best when you can relax and put your feet up when your done. By doing these simple exercises with essential oils on a regular basis, you will begin to feel how your feet directly affect your entire body.

"WHEN OUR FEET HURT, WE HURT ALL OVER."--SOCRATES

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