The foot represents one of the areas with the greatest concentration of reflex points. Dr. William Fitzgerald , an American doctor of the early twentieth century, considered the father of modern reflexology, devised a map of the different areas of the foot that corresponded to specific internal organs, managing to show that massaging these areas resulted in immediate benefits.

In addition to the therapeutic intervention , Fitzgerald was convinced of the preventive action , which he applied by carefully feeling the sole of a subject’s foot, decreeing their state of health. His method was born from these experiments, based on two types of research: visual research and tactile research of pain points .

This has made it possible today to draw up real maps of reflex zones  and foot reflexology points. The visual research is based on the observation of the lines of the foot and other indices such as color, spots, calluses, cracks and temperature. Tactile research is based on the analysis of painful points, aimed at establishing the most suitable reflexology treatment for the subject. 

The reflexologist therefore identifies the organs in imbalance , on which he will intervene.  

The landmarks: what they are for

Foot reflexology points

The instrument that acts as king in the aspiring reflexologist’s “toolbox” is the  foot reflexology map , through which the student becomes familiar with the  ancient Shu points   , before proceeding with the techniques of manipulating the reflex zones of the endocrine, locomotor system. , dierent, urinary, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory. 

The ancient Shu points ( Wu Shu ) are 5 in number for each of the 12 main meridians and correspond to 5 of the needle-points of each meridian. 

The plantar reflexology points are located in the terminal part of the 12 meridians between the extremities of the hands or feet and the elbow or knee joints, i.e. in the most superficial part of the meridian path, where the energy changes polarity (from a sense Yin  to  Yang or vice versa). 

Each Shu point corresponds to an Element and for this reason they are known in the West as ” points of the Elements ” or ” command points “.  

Reflex zones and common disorders

The reflex zones that we find in the foot correspond to specific “areas of discomfort”. Based on the maps of the reflex organs, we see to which areas and points of foot reflexology correspond the most common disorders.

Thus we find that depression and mood problems are eradicated by operating pressure on the pituitary and heart areas. Stress , distress and exhaustion can be traced back to the solar plexus area , lungs, adrenal glands, kidneys, pituitary gland. Kidneys and bladder have useful points for the therapy of painful menstruation , PMS and cystitis .

The areas affecting the pancreas , intestines, colon, stomach and solar plexus obviously cure digestive problems and colitis, while thanks to the kidney and heart areas, swelling in the legs can be fought.

The common headache occurs in the eye, forehead and liver areas , as well as with insomnia .