જય માતાજી
Pravin Jadeja MAR
Format of presentation
Introduction
Slides Presentation
Questions & Answers
Demo/Workshop
28th June 2014
What is Reflexology
Reflexology is a holistic healing method
which involves applying gentle pressure
to the reflex points in order to bring
about a state of deep relaxation and
stimulate the body’s own healing
processes.
The reflex points are found on the soles
of the feet and palms of hands.
Treating the reflexes enables energy
pathways to be cleared, restoring the energy
flow and healing any damage.
Reflex Points
on the soles of feet
History of Reflexology
The origin of reflexology, or Zone Therapy, as it is sometimes
called, still remains a mystery.
Dr William Fitzgerald has commented that ‘a form of
treatment by means of pressure points was known in
India and China some 5,000 years ago’.
There is some evidence to suggest that Egyptian
physicians used this treatment dating back to 2,330 BC.
This stems from an Egyptian tomb drawing depicting
four people: one person is being treated with foot
massage and a second with hand massage.
History of Reflexology
History of Reflexology
What is certain is that this therapy
was being used as far as 1500 AD.
Cellini (1500-1571), the great Florentine sculptor, is
reported to have used strong pressure on his fingers
and toes in order to relieve pain in his body with
apparent success.
During the sixteenth century, several books on Zone
Therapy were published in Europe. One of this was
written by Dr Adamus. Shortly after this, a similar book
was published by Dr Ball in Leipzig.
The American President, James Abraham Garfield
(1831-1881), who was a victim of an assassination
attempt, is said to have alleviated the resulting pain by
applying pressure to certain points on his feet.
History of Reflexology
The credit for initiating Reflexology as it is today, is given to Dr
William Fitzgerald. While working in Vienna, he studied the work
of Dr H. Bressler, who had researched the link between pressure
points on the feet and the internal organs of the body and
published a book titled Zone Therapy.
Eunice Ingham, assistant of Dr Joseph Shelby Riles (who had
learnt Zone Therapy from Dr Fitzgerald) co-related the
anatomical structures of the body with the energy zones located
on the feet, and found that the feet provided a mirror image of
the entire body.
In 1960, one of Eunice Ingham’s students, Doreen Bayly,
introduced Reflexology to Great Britain.
Subtle energy system
Subtle energy called Prana by Hindus, Chi by Chinese, Ki by the Japanese etc.
flows throughout our system via a network of fixed pathways called nadis.
These nadis intersect with others at various focal points to form plexuses which
are called chakras.
Being subtle they are not readily discernable for scientific investigation, and
thus are rejected by Western medicine. However, the nadi system is the essence
of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Various Upanishads mention the nadis – the Varaha Upanishad, Brahma Vidya
Upanishad, Brhadaranyaka Upanishad to name a few. Most of the scriptures
mention 72,000 nadis while the Shiva Samhita mentions 350,000 nadis.
Whilst we may not be familiar with the concept of nadis, a lot of people are
familiar with the three main nadis called Sushumna, Ida and Pingala and most
people are also familiar with the seven main chakras – Muladhara,
Svadishthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vissudha, Ajna and Sahasrara.
It is believed that these nadis flow nearer the surface of the body at two points
– the soles and the palms. Many Reflexologists (particularly those trained in
the East) believe that they manage the flow of subtle energy of various organs
in the body by treating the appropriate ‘reflex point’ on the soles or the palms.
Benefits of Reflexology
The three major benefits of Reflexology are:
reduces stress and induces deep relaxation
improves blood circulation
helps to achieve homeostasis
Pain relief
Other benefits are:
Improved elimination
Improved immune system
Pressure-point techniques
There are five basic pressure point techniques
Thumb-walking
This technique is used on the majority of reflexes with the
exception of very small points.
Finger-walking
This technique is similar to thumb-walking but employs
one or more fingers
Pivoting
This technique is used on small reflex points. The thumb is
rotated slowly over the reflex.
Sliding
This technique is performed by sliding the thumb over an
area whilst maintaining a gentle pressure
Pinching
This technique is used to treat lymph drainage.
Pressure-point techniques
Thumb walking – reflexes for the back of the head
Finger walking – face reflex
Pivoting – vocal cord reflex
Sliding - Spinal Reflex
Pinching - reflex of
lymph node of the right
armpit
Massage techniques
There are five basic massage techniques
Wringing
Helps to smooth out the feet by stretching the muscles.
Kneading
Relaxes the person and stimulates body energy.
Stretching
Removes tension by stretching all muscles.
Finger circling
Relaxing a very tense point.
Stroking
A very soothing movement used for removing tension.
Massage techniques
Wringing
Kneading
Stretching
Finger circling
Stroking
Personal Details
Pravin Jadeja MAR
Contact details:
Tel No:
020 8997 3102
Mobile No: 07866 615022
e-mail:
p .jadeja@btinternet.com