The feet are the window to the body. They tell us so much about what is going on in the body, and they can even sometimes tell us things about our bodies that we didn’t know. As Eunice Ingham, founder of modern reflexology said “ If you’re feeling out of kilter, don’t know why or what about, let your feet reveal the answer, find the sore spot, work it out.”Reflexology is the practice of stimulating the organs and systems of the body by working reflex points on the feet. Skeptical? I’ll agree, it does sound bizarre to say that we can tell what is going on in the whole body through the soles of the feet. I’ve seen the roll of the eyes, the raise of the eyebrows, and the subtle smirks. As a reflexologist, though, I know that once you have had your first reflexology experience, this doubt will fade away and will be replaced by your “light bulb moment”.
The light bulb moment is when you think to yourself, “Wow! How did Stacey know I’ve been having sinus headaches?” or “Can she really tell that my right shoulder has been sore?” , and for a second you think that maybe there is some validity to what I’ve been rattling on and on about since you sat down in my chair. I know how it goes and I understand the uncertainty, because I have been there before myself. Often times, not all the words in the world can replace what an experience will reveal to you, and I believe reflexology is this way.
When a friend offered to do my feet to help out with some health issues I had been having, I thought, “Why not?” I was filled to the brim with doubt, but unwilling to pass up on the chance for some relaxation. My light bulb moment was two-fold. Not only could my reflexologist tell a tremendous amount about me, just by working my feet, but within a week, my body started responding to the reflexology and I felt a noticeable difference. I had less anxiety, I was more relaxed, my back and neck pain lessened, I slept better and that was just the beginning. That is the moment I thought, “What if there is some truth to this?”
The light bulb moment is when I go from having a skeptical client just looking for a good foot rub, to having a believer looking for balance, relaxation and restoration. I love when someone says, “How did you know my ear has been killing me?” because I get to say, “The Feet Never Lie”.
And it is true. The feet really never lie. We are brutal and torturous to our poor feet, squishing them into pointy toe heels, and overworking them long after they’ve started screaming for mercy. But no matter how much we use and abuse our feet, they still tell us so much about our health and wellbeing, and they still provide a means for not only balancing, relaxing and restoring, but also for detoxing and cleansing.
So, put your doubt on the back burner and make space for your light bulb moment. Open your mind to healing and wellness and see what your feet will reveal to you.To get a start on your reflexology journey, here’s a quick way to relax yourself. Press your thumb in the center of your foot, just under the ball of the foot, and take 3 deep, cleansing breaths. This will help to not only relax you, but will allow you to take deeper breaths to get rid of some of the toxins in your body. Try doing this whenever you feel stressed or anxious, or as just part of a bedtime routine to help you unwind for a good night’s sleep.
Keep an eye out for my next blog, where I will be discussing how reflexology can help boost your immune system to get you through cold and flu season.
Be well and live well,
Stacey
