In 1913, an ear, nose, and throat specialist named William Fitzgerald (1872– 1942) introduced to the United States a practice he called zone therapy. He used vertical lines to divide the body into 10 zones, each of which was represented by specific areas on the hands and feet. The belief that massaging or pressing these areas can stimulate the flow of energy and nutrients, thereby healing ailments in the corresponding zone, is today known as reflexology.

The purpose of reflexology is not to treat or diagnose any specific medical disorder, but to promote better health and well-being in the same way that an exercise program or diet does. Reflexologists believe that pressure on the hands and feet (and sometimes the ears and face) triggers a release of stress and tension in the corresponding area or body zone, unblocking nerve impulses and improving blood supply to the entire body. The heart, for example, can be stimulated by putting pressure on the ball of the left foot, according to reflexologists.

Some reflexology proponents also believe that the practice can cleanse the body of toxins, improve circulation, assist in weight loss, improve organ health, and treat chronic health conditions, although there is no evidence to support these ideas and the field has many critics. Studies on asthma and premenstrual syndrome, for instance, have found no benefit from reflexology.

Since it is not legally recognized as a field of medicine, no formal training is required to practice reflexology—although some nurses and massage therapists offer reflexology as part of their licensed practices. Some schools, such as the International Institute of Reflexology in St. Petersburg, Florida, grant “certified member” status. And in 1995, the Reflexology Association of America was formed to help standardize the ethics and practices of reflexology across the country.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. The most popular type of reflexology practiced in America is the Ingham method, named after Eunice Ingham (1889–1974), who coined the term reflexology in 1938.
  2. Sandals, shoe inserts, and foot massage devices have been marketed based on reflexology theory. Manufacturers of these products are not allowed to make medical claims, however, and the products’ benefits have not been studied.
  3. Reflexology theory associates the big toe with the brain, the heel with the lower back, and the foot’s arch with the kidneys.