Reflexology is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hands with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands with a premise that applying pressure to these reflexes results in a positive physical change to the body.
reflexology chart
In a reflexology chart the body is reflected on the feet or hands. It serves as a map for technique application to target specific health goals.
Left foot or hand reflects the left side of the body and the right foot or hand the right side. The spine reflex area runs down the insides of the feet and hands with reflex areas for the arm and shoulder reflected toward the outside of the foot or hand. The toes and fingers mirror the head and neck as well as the parts of the body they encase. The ball of the foot mirrors the chest and upper back in addition to the heart and lungs.
Halfway down the foot at the base of the long bones of the foot is represented the waistline of the body. The parts of the body above the waistline are mirrored above this line and those below are represented below it. Internal organs lying above the body’s waistline are reflected by reflex areas above this line while those below the waistline are mirrored below this line.