THE EVERYTHING® REFLEXOLOGY BOOK Manipulate zones in the hands and feet to relieve stress, improve circulation, and promote good health Valerie Voner, C.R.T., C.T.M., R.M.T. To Mom, for all your love and faith in me, your encouragement is priceless. Dad, here is another book for you to read! Contents Acknowledgments The Top Ten Benefits of Reflexology Introduction 1 Reflexology, Then and Now What Is Reflexology? Ancient History Native American Influence Scientific Roots The Twentieth Century Reflexology Today Current Applications 2 What Reflexology Can Do Reduce Stress Balance the Energy Flow in the Body Improve Circulation Release Toxins Stimulate the Body's Own Healing Potential Assist in Maintaining a State of Health 3 Preparing for Reflexology Create a Healing Space The Right Chair Proper Props Music Foot Soak Essential Oils, Lotions, and Powders 4 Set Your Intention The Importance of a Calm, Even Touch Clearing Your Energy Focusing on the Task Being the Giver Short Nails and Clean Hands Using Wax 5 Understanding the Body as It Relates to Reflexology The Structure of the Body The Function of the Body The Body Is Mirrored in the Feet Zones Meridians Chakras 6 Basic Reflexology Techniques Thumb Walking Finger Walking Rotation Pressing Hooking and Pulling Back Holding Butterfly Karate Chops Tapping Knuckle Press Clapping Feathering 7 Relaxing the Feet Greeting the Feet Turning Feet in and Out Wringing the Foot Relaxing the Spinal Reflex Rotating the Foot Loosening the Foot Stretching Using the Knuckle Press Greeting the Solar Plexus Reflex Working Both Feet 8 Let's Begin! Remembering the Imaginary Guidelines Picture the Foot as a Map of the Body A Logical Sequence The Shoulder Girdle The Diaphragm Line The Waistline Heel, or Sciatic, Line The Tendon Line 9 The Toes Know Thumb Walking the Toes Thumb Walking the Toe Joint Hooking Specific Reflexes at the Top of the Foot Relief from Headaches The Toes and Sinuses Feel the Neck and Shoulders Relax Circling the Brain Reflex 10 Press This Point Reflex Points of the Great Toe The Hypothalamus Reflex The Pituitary Reflex The Pineal Reflex The Thyroid Reflex The Parathyroid Reflex Using Rotation, Holding, Pressing, and Hooking 11 Getting to Know the Nervous System The Need for Equilibrium The Parts of the Brain Connecting the Feet, Spinal Cord, and Brain 7,200 Nerve Endings The Feet as a Post Office Seeing the Receiver Relax 12 Warm the Heart from the Sole The Ball of the Foot Begin with a Knuckle Press Thumb Walk the Heart Reflex Caterpillar the Chest Reflex Region Thumb Walk from the Inside Edge Thumb Walk from the Outside Edge Butterfly the Area Work on the Top Surface of the Foot Lymph Drainage Solar Plexus Reflex Flutter Off 13 Before You Move On Right Foot, Right Side Left Foot, Left Side It's That Mirror Again A Reflexologist's Job Expect the Unexpected Explanation of Bones as Guidelines 14 On to the Next Section! Diaphragm Line to Waistline Think about the Foot Understanding Digestion Thumb Walk the Esophageal Reflex Three Fingers Mark the Spot Liver and Gallbladder Reflexes Spleen Reflex Gallbladder Meridian Don't Forget the Adrenals Finish with Four-Finger Walking 15 Recharging the Digestive System From the Waistline to the Sciatic Line Discovering Landmarks The Ileocecal/Appendix Reflex The Ascending Colon Reflex The Flexure and Transverse Colon Reflexes Working All the Right Angles Create a Fan with Thumb Walking The Small Intestine Reflex Box Kidney and Bladder Reflexes The Heel in Transition 16 Moving to the Left Foot The Left Foot Creating the Outside Box More Right Angles Draw Another Fan A Box for the Small Intestine Reflex Revisiting the Kidney and Bladder Ahhh, Knuckle Press the Heel 17 Take a Break and Review Review with the Left Foot Sections of the Body Reflected in the Work Systems Affected Reactions of the Systems