Your Ad Here


Web advertising works. Click here for more details.

January/February 2004 Alternative Health
Reflexology

by Janice Robertson

Reflexology is a revival of an ancient therapy discovered and developed by the Chinese 5,000 years ago alongside acupuncture. It was also practiced by the ancient Indians, Japanese and Egyptians. In the West, it was resuscitated in the 1930s by an American physiotherapist, Eunice Ingham, then in England and Europe by Doreen Bayly.

The scientific principle behind this therapy is that by giving deep, controlled compression to reflex points on the feet corresponding to certain parts of the body, one can disperse blockages of long standing, and allow a return of vital energy, helping the body to heal itself.

Reflexology has survived all these thousands of years because it has been known and used as a curative therapy, not just a glorified massage of the feet for relaxation. By pressing deep into the tissues of the feet with the point of the thumb small irregularities like ridges, hard lumps, granules, etc. can be felt. These are at the nerve endings and indicate a blockage. By dispersing the blockage with the flat of the thumb, an impulse is sent up the nerve to the part of the body it is coming from. This stimulates that part, or organ, to get working for itself. Many, many conditions have responded dramatically to this therapy. The body is so marvelously constructed that it only needs a little help to do the job itself and get well again.

Once learned, this therapy can be practiced by anyone of any age; no academic qualifications are required. The only requirements are a desire to help people and a pair of competent hands!

Janice Robertson taught Reflexology at her school in London for 15 years prior to coming to Oregon and establishing the Janice Ellicott School of Reflexology. She will be offering an Introduction to Reflexology Part 1 on Jan. 11, 2004 from 10 to 5 and Part II on Feb. 22nd at the Oxford Suites, Jantzen Beach, Portland. Each part is $95. Call 503-325-0458 to register, or e-mail janellicott@aol.com. www.janellicott.byregion.net.