The foot is one of the areas with the highest concentration of reflex points. Dr. William Fitzgerald, an American doctor of the early twentieth century, considered the father of modern reflexology, devised a map of the different areas of the foot that corresponded to specific internal organs, succeeding in demonstrating that immediate massages were obtained by massaging these areas.
In addition to the therapeutic intervention, Fitzgerald was convinced of the preventive action, which he applied by carefully probing the sole of a subject's foot, decreeing his state of health. From these experiments his method originated, based on two types of research: visual research and tactile research of pain points .
This has made it possible to reach today the preparation of real maps of reflex zones and reflexology points. Visual research is based on the observation of foot lines and other indices such as color, stains, calluses, cracks and temperature. Tactile research is based on the analysis of pain points, able to establish the most suitable reflexology treatment for the subject.
The reflexologist therefore identifies the organs in disequilibrium on which he will intervene.
The landmarks: what they are for
Foot reflexology points
The instrument that acts as a king in the "toolbox" of the aspiring reflexologist is the plantar reflexology map, through which the student becomes familiar with the ancient Shu points, before proceeding with the techniques of manipulation of the reflex zones of the endocrine system, locomotor, dierent, urinary, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory.
The ancient Shu points ( Wu Shu ) are 5 in number for each of the 12 main meridians and correspond to 5 of the needle-points of each meridian.
The foot reflexology points are located in the terminal part of the 12 meridians between the extremities of the hands or feet and the joints of the elbow or knee, that is in the most superficial part of the meridian path, where the energy changes polarity (from a sense Yin to Yang or vice versa).
Each Shu point corresponds to an Element and for this reason they are known in the West as " Elements points " or " command points ".
Reflex zones and common disorders
The reflex zones that we find in the foot correspond to specific "zones of malaise". Based on the maps of reflex organs, we see which zones and which reflexology points correspond to the most common disorders.
Thus we find that depression and mood problems are eradicated by putting pressure on the pituitary and heart areas. Stress, anxiety and exhaustion are due to the solar plexus area, lungs, adrenal glands, kidneys, pituitary glands. Kidneys and bladder have useful points for the treatment of painful menstruation, premenstrual syndrome and cystitis.
The areas that affect the pancreas, the intestine, the colon, the stomach and the solar plexus obviously cure digestive problems and colitis, while thanks to the kidney and heart areas, the swelling of the legs is fought.
The common headache is in the areas of the eyes, forehead and liver, as well as insomnia.
