What is reflexology?

We are all familiar with the classic 'knee-jerk' response - the doctor taps the patient below the knee, and his lower leg bounces up into the air - if you do something to one part of the body you can cause a reaction in another area.

Reflexology applies this response to the whole body. By applying pressure to points on your feet and hands, you can treat and heal problems elsewhere in the body. Reflexology applies pressure to a range of particular points on your hands and feet that correspond with all the organs, glands, tissues and muscles in your body. This helps improve circulation of blood, oxygen and energy/qi around the body, relieving stress and healing pain in other parts of the body.

Reflexology is based on the principle that our bodies are mapped by channels of energy, or "qi" (pronounced "chee'); we feel pain, or generally unwell, when the flow of that energy is blocked in some way. By putting pressure on one part of these channels, the reflexologist sends an impulse or message all the way along it, which unblocks it and encourages the energy to flow freely again. This in turn brings us back into good health and a sense of balance and well-being, and stimulates our body's own healing responses.

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Benefits of reflexology.

Many people go to see a reflexologist as they might go for a massage: to help with their general health, and to make them feel relaxed and calm. But because it is such a comprehensive treatment, reflexology can help you in many other ways, with anything from a trapped nerve to depression.

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Reflexology is recommended by doctors for a variety of conditions, including:

• back pain and muscle strain

• sports injuries

• stress

• anxiety and depression

• sleep and eating disorders

• poor circulation

• irritable bowel syndrome

• migraine

• pre-menstrual tension

• symptoms of the menopause

• breathing difficulties such as asthma