Reflexology at Nature’s Remedy
Reflexology at Nature’s Remedy
with Breanna Coolidge
The earliest recorded use of reflexology goes back as far as Ancient Egypt, 3150 B.C. to 350 B.C. This is amazing when you think about that being 5,000 years ago! In fact, Egyptians were the first to use reflexology as a therapeutic technique to bring wellness to the body and even bring relief during times of distress and illness. Murals of healers doing reflexology on pharaohs and royalty are displayed on the walls of the Great Pyramids of Giza which are some of the first recorded depictions of this ancient therapy. The Egyptians discovered that the feet, hands and ears correspond to all parts, systems and organs of the entire body, acting like a map of the body.
Reflexology is a zone therapy that uses the application of pressure to the feet, hands and ears which may alleviate stress, improve blood flow and restore balance to the body’s parts, organs and systems. Although all three of these body parts can be utilized, the most common area that reflexology is performed on is the feet. The left foot of the body corresponds to the left side of the body and the right foot corresponds to the right side. However, since the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa, the only exception here is that the left side of the brain and central nervous system is stimulated on the right foot and conversely for the left side.
One of the greatest aspects of reflexology is the ability to stimulate an injured or struggling part of the body without having to actually touch the affected area. For example, when an individual throws their back out of alignment, it is often too agonizing to touch or apply pressure due to muscle tension and shooting nerve pain; this is an instance when reflexology would be helpful. Applying pressure to the points of the feet which correspond to the back could bring relief to the person suffering without actually having to manually stimulate the back in any way. In this way, reflexology compliments chiropractic medicine, physical therapy and craniosacral therapy very well.
Many think that reflexology is simply a foot massage, but this could not be further from the truth. One of the places where reflexology is utilized most is in India, making it one of the most widely used therapies in Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is one of the oldest holistic healing systems in the world developed in India more than 3,000 years ago.
Breanna Coolidge attended the Ontario School of Reflexology in Canada and continues her education, training and mentoring with this school run by an amazing Indian man named Shanti. I (Kristina) have been a client of Shanti’s in Niagara Falls for reflexology which is Indian and Tibetan influenced. I can attest to his many decades of knowledge and experience in addition to his warm and fun connection with people. After many years of teaching reflexology and yoga, he has a keen eye for exceptional students and their future success. He told me during one visit that Breanna has a great affinity for understanding reflexology along with a strong insight and intuition for people. I have experienced both her reflexology work and her healing sense while working by her side on clients.
