Those suffering from trypanophobia, or fear of needles, can experience a similar healing art as acupuncture, minus the pokes.
Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, is the practice of applying pressure to the specific points in the body that mirror different organs, using stones or the fingers to massage across the body’s meridians– the invisible channels that run through the body and contain acupressure points. These are mostly located in the feet, hands and ears.
According to Salem massage therapist and reflexologist Elizabeth Billman, the ancient Chinese, Japanese, Hindus, Romans and Egyptians practiced reflexology.
“It’s been around since the beginning of time, or perhaps, since the beginning of feet,” she said.
Zone therapy is supposed to help detoxify the body by unblocking the flow of chi(energy) and making the blood flow. If a specific pressure point is very tender to the touch, this means that the corresponding organ is currently affected or dealing with an overload of toxins.
The feet contain 7,000 nerves and 64 pressure points. The stomach is in the middle of the body, so its pressure point is in the middle of the foot; the heart is on the left side of each foot, and the toes reflect the sinuses, brain and eyes.
“If you have a headache, massage all the toes,” said practitioner Yu Fang Luo, who learned reflexology in China where there are entire spas devoted just to feet. She claims to have helped a client regulate her periods and become pregnant by stimulating her ovary pressure point.
At Reflections Salon in downtown Salem, Luo gives her pedicure clients a half hour session of reflexology in her relaxing quarters, featuring soft music and a comfortable massage bed. She is also available for exclusive reflexology in the ears, hands and feet.
“After a session, your feet are so light, you feel like you’re walking in clouds,” she said.
There are no known side effects of pressure-point foot massages. Those with conditions such as diabetes are to be treated with special care, but they can greatly benefit from reflexology.
“Toxins from medications or water retention (in pregnant people or diabetics) can cause puffiness in the legs and feet. Reflexology helps to push those toxins away,” Luo said.
She teaches her clients the basic pressure points so they can practice reflexology often at home. She recommends tai chi and a healthy diet of mostly organic foods as a perfect complement to reflexology on the path to wellness.
“Believe it or not, just try it and see how it works,” she said. “You can even do it yourself for free.”
