Press Here! Reflexology for Beginners Foot Reflexology: A Practice for Promoting Health

by Sabounchian, Stefanie; Portnoi, Emily

• ISBN13: 9781592337927
• ISBN10: 1592337929
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2017-09-15
• Publisher: Fair Winds Press
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Reflexology was originally practiced by the ancient Chinese and Native Americans. Now Press Here! Reflexology for Beginners shows you how to use massage pressure on the feet to heal holistically.

Every part of your body has a corresponding reflex point on the feet; applying pressure to these specific points, you will naturally and non-invasively send relief to the corresponding part of your body. It's no wonder that reflexology has become one of the most popular alternative forms of healing.

While the principles of reflexology are simple, reflexology charts can be overwhelming for the beginner. Press Here! Reflexology for Beginners gives a clear explanation of where to find the reflex point on the foot, how it relates to the body, and how to apply the correct pressure for the strongest effect.

Organized by reflex points from the top of the body to the bottom—one at a time on a double page—this guide is a breeze to follow, and a fun and easy way to explore the art of foot reflexology.

The Press Here! series offers contemporary takes on traditional hands-on healing practices for a new generation of practitioners. These introductory guides feature easy-to-access organization, clear instructions, and beautiful illustrations of each technique. Other Press Here! topics include massage, reiki, and acupressure.

Author Biography

Stefanie Sabounchian, a native German, has a thriving private reflexology practice in Los Angeles, California, and teaches foot, hand, and ear reflexology at several schools, including the American Academy of Reflexology, where she is one of the core teachers, as well as various international workshops. She is nationally certified with the American Reflexology Certification Board and a past president of the Reflexology Association of California.

Emily Portnoi is a professional designer with extensive experience working in advertising, branding, packaging design, illustration, and publishing. She lives in Brighton, UK.

Table of Contents

 C H A P T E R  O N E / B A S I C  P R I N C I P L E S 

In the first section we explore what reflexology is and how this non-invasive natural health modality can help us.

After introducing the map concept, the reader learns how the chain of benefits can assist in activating our body’s

self-healing ability. The reader is then guided through the principles of how each part of the body corresponds to

a specific part on the feet and how reflexology works. To keep the beginner home reflexologist and the receiver of

reflexology safe, we explain when it is advised not to use reflexology before we introduce the most efficient and

powerful reflexology-specific techniques.

WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY?

• How reflexology is different from massage and acupressure

• A brief overview of when and how reflexology started

MAP CONCEPT

• Introducing the map concept as a micro-map of the human body

• Reflex points on the right foot correspond to the right side of the body, reflex points on the left foot correspond to

the left side of the body

BENEFITS

• List of reported health benefits

• How the chain of benefits can help the entire body to function more efficiently

• The body’s self-healing ability

HOW REFLEXOLOGY WORKS

• Theories on how reflexology works

• The nervous system’s role in reflexology

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS

• A list of contraindications to keep the giver and receiver of reflexology safe

• A few guidelines of precautions

• The difference between contraindications and precautions

 C H A P T E R  T W O / T E C H N I Q U E S 

In this hands-on part the reader will learn the principles of using a variety of unique thumb and finger techniques. We

will introduce vertical and horizontal zones to understand the simplified principles of reflex maps. A clear overview

shows in which region each reflex point is located.

REFLEXOLOGY TECHNIQUES

• Introducing thumb and finger techniques

• Variations of reflexology techniques

• Learning to apply the techniques with illustrated instructions

• How much pressure to use and when it is advisable to work lighter

• Importance of hydration after reflexology

VERTICAL ZONES

• Dividing the body and the feet into ten vertical zones

• The role of vertical zones in foot reflexology to easily locate reflex points

HORIZONTAL REGIONS

• Dividing the body and the feet into seven horizontal regions

• Shoulder line, diaphragm line, and pelvic line are helpful guidelines dividing each region

• The role of horizontal regions in foot reflexology to easily locate reflex points

REFLEX POINTS ORGANIZED BY REGIONS

• A table showing in which horizontal region we find each of the fifty reflex points

 C H A P T E R  T H R E E / R E F L E X P O I N T S 

This main section of Press Here! Reflexology for Beginners invites the reader to explore each reflex point at a time,

systematically from the top of the body to the bottom, color coded by regions. To ensure a clear and easy way of

learning to read a foot reflexology chart, each double page is dedicated to one reflex point. Illustrations identify the

reflex point on the foot and shows the corresponding body part. The text details how that reflex point relates to

that part of the body, its unique function, how reflexing that point or area can be most beneficial, along with clear

instructions on how to apply the pressure techniques to that specific reflex point.

TOES FOR HEAD AND NECK

• Brain

• Pituitary

• Sinuses

• Teeth

• Jaw

• Occiput

• Neck

• Nose

• Mouth

• Thyroid

BALL AND PAD FOR CHEST

• Shoulder line

• Eyes

• Ears

• Heart

• Lungs

• Esophagus and trachea

• Thymus

• Breasts

• Shoulder blades

SOFT SOLE FOR UPPER AND MID ABDOMEN

• Diaphragm line

• Solar plexus

• Stomach

• Spleen

• Liver

• Gall bladder

• Pancreas

• Adrenal glands

• Kidneys

• Ureters

• Small intestines

• Colon/large intestine

HEEL FOR LOWER ABDOMEN AND PELVIC REGION

• Sciatica and lower back

• Appendix

• Groin

• Urinary bladder

OUTER EDGE OF THE FOOT

• Shoulder joints

• Arms

• Elbows

• Hands

• Hips

• Knees

• Feet

• Ovaries and testes

INNER EDGE OF THE FOOT

• Cervical spine/neck

• Thoracic spine/upper back

• Lumbar spine/lower back

• Sacrum

• Coccyx/tailbone

• Uterus and prostate

 A I L M E N T  D I R E C TO RY 

The ailment directory enables the reader to look up problems that are troubling them and find out which reflex points

to work that may help them.