by Ali Yassine

Energy Medicine includes all energetic and informational interactions resulting from self-regulation or brought about through other energy linkages to mind and body. In addition to various therapeutic energies which we may use, there are also energy pulses from the environment which influence humans and other animals in a variety of ways. For instance, low-level changes in magnetic, electric, electromagnetic, acoustic, and gravitational fields often have profound effects on both biology and psychology. In addition to energies originating in the environment, it has been documented that humans are capable of generating and controlling subtle, not-yet-measurable energies that seem to influence both physiological and physical mechanisms.

Subtle Energies, compared with "energy medicine," is a concept more difficult to define within the current scientific paradigm. Ancient and modern wisdom traditions describe human bioenergies referred to by many names (e.g., chi, ki, prana, etheric energy, fohat, orgone, odic force, mana, homeopathic resonance) that is believed to move throughout the "etheric" (or subtle) energy body and thus is difficult to measure using conventional instrumentation.

In addition, many of the complementary and alternative therapies that are becoming increasingly popular appear to involve the flow of these subtle energies through the dense physical body. In addition, it is traditionally accepted that expansions of consciousness often are related to changes in subtle energies that cannot be quantified. These energies, which are thought to be associated with interactions and with transcendence, may not, in fact, actually be involved with known physical fields.  Reflexology is an extremely effective form of foot massage based on the principle that 'reflex points' on the hands and feet correspond to each organ and structure in the body and are linked to those organs by energy channels, zones or meridians.

When illness or imbalance occurs in the body, the corresponding energy channels become blocked and Reflexology Massage is aimed to ease these blocks, allowing the energy to flow freely again, so restoring the body's natural balance, and hence - good health.

Reflexologists regard the feet as a mirror of the body, with the right foot representing the right-hand side of the body and the left foot the left-hand side. Illnesses, or potential illnesses, are indicated by tender areas on the appropriate reflex points on the feet, reflecting imbalance of the affected organ or organs. By applying reflexology techniques to these points, the body can be prompted to maximise its own great capacity both to
heal itself and to prevent illness.

Modern Reflexology is a system of healing developed by American masseuse Eunice Ingham. Specific areas of the feet relate to specific areas of the body.  However the art of Reflexology is a very great deal older than that and probably began in China at least five thousand years ago.  The ancient Chinese certainly practised a foot pressure therapy related to acupuncture.

The Chinese were way ahead of the Western world in understanding the importance of the feet in treating disease. As far back as 1017 A.D. Dr. Wang Wei had a human figure cast in bronze on which were marked
the important acupuncture points when treating illness. The practitioner positioned his needles in the appropriate areas of the body and then also applied pressure therapy on the sole and inside and outside edges of each foot, followed by pressure on the big toe.

In effect the practitioner was using a combination of what we would now call acupuncture and reflexology techniques.  These were very closely related and based on similar ideas of energy lines linking the hands and feet to other parts of the body.   Gradually though, Chinese reflexology lost popularity whilst acupuncture went from strength to strength. 

The ancient Egyptians also used a form of reflexology as shown in a wall painting in the physician Ankmahor's tomb in Saqqara, just south of Cairo.  In fact the scene, dating from 2,300 BCE., looks strangely familiar to present day reflexologists.

A form of pressure therapy was certainly being used in Europe in the 16th Century, and a book on Zone Therapy was published in 1582 by Dr. Adamus and Dr. A'tatis, two leading European doctors.  Zone Therapy was indeed relatively popular in Europe at the time with people of all classes, including royalty.  The book by Drs. Adamus and A'tatis was followed by another on the same theme by Dr. Bell in Leipzig, but yet again, it gradually lost popularity for no apparent reason.

Over the ages a number of ancient peoples have been using their own form of reflexology. These include indigenous peoples in Africa and certain native tribes in North America.  One theory has it that the knowledge of the importance of feet in maintaining physical, mental and spiritual health may have been passed to the North American Indians by the Incas.

Traditional Native American and European belief is that the human spirit is connected to the universe through the feet, which are in contact with the earth and the energies that flow through it and then through us. 

Reflexology and the Bach Flower Remedies

Reflexology can be used to deeply relax the client, and can be helpful in a wide range of conditions, bringing the body back into balance, and therefore speeding up the healing process.  I first started using the Bach Flower Remedies with Reflexology because I thought that reflexology needed something extra as an add on. At this stage I naively considered Bach Remedies as a mild form of placebo for neurotic new agers, and my prescribing was of a rather haphazard and casual nature. More by good fortune than through good prescribing, I began to get excellent results which made me take the remedies more seriously, leading to me reading all the available literature, and finally training as a Bach Flower Counsellor..

Over the past 12 years the Bach Remedies have become an essential part of my reflexology treatments, helping to address the negative behavioural and emotional patterns which cause people’s health to go out of balance to the extent that they need reflexology.

Many clients have commented to me that the treatments last longer if the Bach Remedies are given, and I feel that there is a perfect match in the two treatments.  The Reflexology acts on the physical with an overlap on the moods and emotions and the Bach Remedies act on the moods and emotions with an overlap on the physical.

As a result of observing the feet, and relating these to the remedies required by the client, I have been able read clues from the feet about which remedies to use for a particular client. None of these of course gives absolute accuracy, and the client’s confirmation is needed before a remedy is chosen.  Below are some of the
signs I have been able to read from the feet. Some were discovered using the Body Maps of Dietmar Kramer, and some by simple observation.

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria): The emotions are not expressed and therefore put stress on the digestive area, especially the stomach, causing the person to eat in order to relieve the stress. People requiring Agrimony often have a distinctive network of stress lines over the digestive reflexes of the foot.

Beech: Where feelings of intolerance and criticism are not expressed (as in people requiring for example Agrimony or Centaury) these repressed emotions wreak havoc with the digestive system.

Centaury: People needing Centaury often find it hard to say no and have repressed anger towards themselves and others which can also create problems in the digestive area.  I have found that Agrimony and Centaury and Beech are very useful in most cases of irritable bowel syndrome of psychological origin, with the possible addition of Holly and White Chestnut. 

Oak:  Dietmar Kramer’s body maps show that the Oak condition tends to cause energetic imbalance in the chest area, represented by the metatarsal pad on the feet. I have found that this area often shows thickening of the skin, and brownish discoloration in people requiring Oak. One client presented with this area of the foot appearing as though the brownish thickening had been sprayed on very evenly. This patient had been on ecstasy tablets, possibly inducing a false Oak state, whereby she was able to continue even though exhausted.

Star of Bethlehem: One of Dietmar Kramer’s body map areas for Star of Bethlehem is the centre of the breast bone. I have found that patients with unresolved grief often have a thickening in this area of the foot (the centre of the metatarsal pad in zone 1 - the pad under the big toe). Indeed one man who had suffered a multiple bereavement in the Northern Ireland troubles had a thick horny callous in this area. Also I have found that the digestive area of the foot is very pale white in many people who have suffered severe shock or grief.

Five Flower Rescue Remedy: In several clients with pain and discomfort following tattoos, Rescue Remedy has given relief within minutes.

What To Expect From Reflexology Treatment

When first visiting a Reflexology practitioner a detailed medical history will be taken. The client will then be seated in some form of recliner chair or similar sitting position and will be asked to remove their shoes and socks. The practitioner will initially examine the feet before commencing with the precise massage movement. The particular type of massage involved requires the application of a firm pressure using the side and end of the thumb. In some instances, the fingers may also be employed.

All areas on both feet will be massaged. Areas corresponding to parts of the body, which are out of balance, will feel uncomfortable or tender when massaged.  The degree of tenderness will indicate the degree of imbalance.

The sensitivity of the feet varies from person to person and the experienced practitioner will understand the correct pressure to apply and how to interpret the tenderness felt. The massage should not be very uncomfortable to even the most sensitive of feet.  The full treatment session will probably last about three-quarters of an hour.  At the end of the session the feet should feel warm and the client should feel relaxed. The number of treatment sessions required will vary depending on the condition being treated.  Following treatment, it is sometimes possible that the eliminating systems of the body become more active in order to rid the body of unwanted toxic matter.  However, if treatment is correctly applied, these reactions should not be severe.  Reflexology is a particularly pleasant means of treatment and a means of maintaining the body in good health

Reflexology & Back Pain

A study conducted at the Hospital of Beijing College of Languages investigated the effect of reflexology treatment on acute lower back pain. Twenty people between the ages of 35 and 55 participated in the study. They were all teachers or office workers who suffered from lower back strain.

The reflex points on their feet were treated for a maximum of ten treatments and the results analysed. All of them reported that the treatment had effectively eliminated their pain.  Five of them obtained complete relief after only one treatment, 10 after 3 to 4 treatments and a further 5 after 5 to 7 treatments. No analgesics or other medications were used throughout the course of treatments.

Although a small scale study such as this proves nothing, it does add to the growing body of evidence confirming that reflexology has extensive therapeutic value beyond the realms of mere relaxation and stress management.