Zones, Reflexes or Meridians?

[anne s]

Hello,

I am in my last term of a Reflexology degree and am writing an essay on:

'Zone and Meridian theories and their use in Reflexology practice'

Its an interesting essay to work on and has really made me think about the basis of Reflexology. You will probably all be familiar with Dr. W Fitzgerald- the doctor credited with first having discovered the relationship between pressure applied to the feet (and other extremities) and effects inother parts of the body. I have been reading his book, and that of Shelby Riley and they are interesting, but they were written on the first few decades of last century and are thus very dated.

Since then actual 'zone therapy' (using pegs and rubber bands around fingers etc) seems to have died out, and instead been developed into Reflexology as we know it today by people such as Ingham and Marquardt.

The meridian part of the essay is even more interesting. A few Reflexologists such as Dougans think that Reflexology works onlyby stimulating the 6 meridians found on the feet. Others believe there is a relationship with reflex areas as well as meridian lines, such as Arnold and Cross.

Anyway, the reason I am explianing this is, for general interest, and, I wonder if anyone has any feelings on the subject? Its a hard essay to write and any input would be greatly apprectiated!!

Thank you,
Melissa

 

[Fish]

Hi Melissa,

What an interesting tread subject. I'd have to say that I tend to think there is a relationship with both the reflex areas and the meridian lines. I generally use both Auricular Acupuncture and Reflexologywith my clientsand so have a fairly good understanding of the Zang Fu organs and meridians in the body.

My Reflexology training was very traditional and the reflex areas do, without doubt, have merit. Again and again in practiceI find areas of imbalance which correspond with whatmy clients are telling me. Equally though, knowing where the meridians run and the corresponding acupressure points helps me to understand whats going on with the body, albeit perhaps more from TCM point of view.

A therapist wouldn't need to know where the meridians run ...... they'll already be stimulating them during a full treatment. Having some knowledge though certainly adds to the understanding of what you're finding. Knowing, for example, where the Kidney meridian runs can help to explain why many woman with hormonal imbalances have very tender ear points, kidney points, bladder points etc etc. The meridian runs right through the whole lot !!! But when you know where they are, you can give them extra work working along the meridian. Knowledge of even just the Zang Fu organs can help us to understand whythe client with the hormonal imbalances also has digestive disorders and perhaps sinus or ear problems ....... the kidney (meridian)regulates them all !!!!

Meridianmoon xx

 

[jonas.fan4eva]

We haven't learnt about precise meridians much in our course but it's something I'd like to find out more about.

I was given a book called "Complete Illustrated Guide to Reflexology" by Inge Dougans which focuses a lot of the meridians. All the case studies in the book look at which meridian the problems lie on and treat accordingly. All very interesting and seemed to make a huge amount of sense.

Sx

 

[angiebear]

It wouldseem that variations of the modern practice of reflexology existed in all of the ancient healing cultures. In our western culture one of the earliest books to be written on reflexology was published in 1582 by two eminent European physicians, Dr. Adamus and Dr. A'tatis. A second book by a Dr. Bell was published shortly after this in Leipzig.

It is interesting to note that Dr Fitzgerald never published the original sources for his own therapy, but I am sure that he was influenced during his time in Vienna, by the work of Dr d'Arsonval. In the book "Zone Therapy is Scientific” by Dr W D Chesney.

It has been recorded that, Dr d'Arsonval was using physiotherapy and getting relief following the use of reflex knowledge which, in effect, was what was later termed Zone Therapy by Drs Fitzgerald and Bowers.

In 1961 the profession of physiotherapists objected to the word "Therapy" in the name "Zone Therapy". Hence, the name 'Reflexology' was adopted. Other names adopted by other people for the practices of reflexology are: Pressure Point Massage, Compression Massage, Pointed Pressure Massage and Vita-Flex.

There is a school of thought (of which I am one) that believes that the true origins of reflexology come from the fundamental principles of Oriental medicine rather than in the relatively modern concept of zones. I have always wondered why acupressure and reflexology have not been combined more often. Reflexology works on points on the hands and feet Acupressure works on the meridians points, they both have similar comprehensive benefits, which stem from balancing the body's life energy through a system of meridian pathways.

I always cover the meridians and an introduction to acupressure when teaching reflexology.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thanks for the input so far. You've given me some more things to think about for this essay and in general. Great to hear from other practitioners who are incorperating meridians into their practice.

Mel x

 

[oden13]

Hi ya

I thought you would like to know about my research into reflexology and the meridians. I feel that clinically having meridian knowledge is useful and effective practice. Sometimes zone theory don't quite answer some of the symptoms that clients have (and when did nature ever follow the nice linear lines of the zones?). As a practitioner of combined Reiki, Reflexology, Thai Yoga Massage and a Tai Chi Instructor, I have looked deeply into different energetic systems.

I consider reflexology as a form of 'distal' acupressure, not just in terms of TCM meridians but also Thai meridians known as sen lines. If you look up in a Thai massage book the sen line "kalathari" you will see that the feet and hands are divided into 5 zones. The energy lines also diagonally crossover (explains why sometimes when a foot is pressed on one side but the client can feel a buzz of energy on the opposite side of the body) and some the lines to a certain degree correspond to the TCM meridians. The etheric body can be tapped into in a multitude of ways to stimulate or sedate energy flow.

Modern research into Myofascal Meridians or Anatomy Trains (Thomas Myers) is very similar that the Thai sen lines run through and part of the connective tissue of the body. Research by Dr. Motoyama of Japan suggest that the TCM meridians run through the fascia via electrical stimulation of hydrouronic acid.

Personally I think all systems work, it depends on the intention of the practitioner to heal and provide homeostasis. Energy follows thoughts (or in Tai Chi we would say Qi (energy) follows Yi (thoughts)). If a reflexologist is happy to work with zone therapy and has results - wonderful. If another reflexologist prefers the TCM paradigm - wonderful. Mixing traditional knowledge with modern A&P is powerful therapy!

Best Wishes

Dave (Reiki Pixie)

 

[Reyesh]

Thank you Dave, that message was really ineresting and helpful. I didn't know about sen lines - am glad to have another theory to look into and might try to find out more about Thai yoga massage.

I agree with your sentimentthat all the systems have value.

Thanks again,
Melissa

 

[SlapStickBilly]

Hello All,
What a great thread. Its sooo nice to hear about meridians..... Ive been studying for the last three years and i too think that the meridians play an important part in most of my treatments....IHM, Reflexology, swedish massage and aromatherapy...
The only thing is I know very little about the meridians....
Ive been having shaitsu treatments ( great by the way) too give me ainsight..and Ive beenlooking into training for shiatsu,.(alot of money)

Would love too hear were i might be able togain more insight.

Bye for now

Rachelx

 

[Jiji]

Hi ya Melissa

If you wish to find out more about sen lines in Traditional Thai Massage/Medicine (TTM) I would recommend the "Encyclopedia of Thai Massage" by C. Pierce Salguero. You can order it from Amazon or any good bookshop.

Hi ya Hallos

I thought about Shiatsu but 3 years and £1000's put me off it bit. It is cheaper and quicker to learn Thai Yoga massage, but Thai doesn't have the theoretical depthlike Shiatsu. Having said that Thai is better as a sports, remedial andyogatherapy. As for meridians, read a couple of shiatsu books and just apply acupressure to your clients (not forgetting contraindications), it's worth the effort. As massage therapists we don't have to be as accurate as an acupuncturist and still get good results by subtly "tuning in".

I'm off for a few days, so wish you both the best.

Dave

 

[cork]

Hello Dave,
Thanks for your reply.
Yes the money thing and the length of the shiatsu course put me off toooo.[&:]
Have a good break

Rachel

 

[Millo]

They are just more systems - all do the same thing in the end.
See my blog post 'all systems go'.
There's nothing new under the Sun, just a different way of putting things that our conscious minds seem to require.