If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then it should come as no surprise that the road to health and wellness may lie in the soles of the feet. Reflexology, also called ‘zone therapy,’ is based on the belief that the bottom of the foot is covered with points that correspond to the body’s systems and parts. Massaging these points can bring healing and wellness to the body and rebalance its energy flow.

Practices relating to reflexology date back to the ancient civilizations of China, India and Egypt. However, the technique was first introduced to the West in the early 1900s by Dr William Fitzgerald, who called the technique ‘zone therapy.’ Eunice Ingham developed Fitzgerald’s theory further and in the 1930s, reflexology was born.

Today, reflexology has been shown to be effective for back pain, sports injuries, digestive and stress-related disorders, migraines, infertility, arthritis, sleep disorders and hormonal imbalances.

A trained reflexologist first questions a patient about their medical history and current health issues to better direct treatment. Feet are then soaked in water and herbs, and then the therapist locates specific points on the soles of the feet or sometimes palms of the hands. Fingers are used to stroke and apply pressure to these points and to crush small ‘crystals’ that are deposits of lactic acid that build up in the feet. These crystals are then reabsorbed into the body and eliminated by the lymphatic system.

Sessions generally last one hour, but a course of sessions may be prescribed depending on the specific needs of the patient. Every person’s experience is unique to them, and the therapist relies on information from the patient about how they feel and what they experience during the treatment. Because reflexology stimulates the body’s own self-healing, patients may feel nauseous, lethargic or tearful as the body begins to heal itself.