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      3.3 Dry Cupping in the Foot Reflexology Zones

       “The feet—this masterpiece—deserve our attention…”

      Karin Schaffner in the poem “Der Füße Leid” (The suffering of the feet)

      Just like the ears, the hands, the skull, and especially the back, the feet also have reflexology zones that originate from the neural connections between the body’s inside and its surface. Through these zones, we can reflexively influence corresponding tissue structures, organs or organ systems, body functions, and body regions. Due to this fact, foot reflexology therapy can be successfully applied to cure and normalize functional disturbances, and as an accessory treatment, to improve the quality of life in patients with chronic illness. Additionally, it has been repeatedly confirmed that this procedure eases, calms, and relaxes the mind. In other words, it alleviates stress and can readily be combined with other therapies.

       Memorize M!

       The foot reflexology zones (▶ Fig. 3.3) are not identical with the Head’s zones.

      Foot reflexology therapy, commonly called foot reflexology massage, is rooted in the basics of zone therapy, developed by the American physician William Fitzgerald (1872–1942). As a form of therapy, it evolved over thousands of years out of traditional folk knowledge. Historical evidence exists that about 5000 years ago Native Americans, Egyptians, and Chinese already knew of the treatment of certain points and were aware that the stimulation of these points through massage, acupuncture, touching with gemstones, and cupping could have a therapeutic effect.

      Fig. 3.3 Reflex zones on the soles of the feet.

      In addition to his knowledge in conventional medicine, Fitzgerald was also familiar with traditional folk medicine. He utilized this knowledge, in combination with his discoveries of reflexive connections between internal organs and the surface of the body, to develop a system. He started out from the basic premise that the human body has 10 longitudinal zones that have corresponding reflex points on the feet and that every part of the foot can be correlated with a specific body zone. He further realized that an irritation in one of the foot reflex zones has an effect on the parts of the body or organs that are located in the associated zone of the body. In 1917, this concept and the reflexology therapy that he developed formed the foundation for modern-day foot reflexology therapy. Subsequently, these longitudinal zones were further subdivided into three cross segments each.

      Foot reflexology massage was originated and developed by the physiotherapist Eunice Ingham around 1938. In Germany, it was the therapist Hanne Marquardt who applied and popularized this therapeutic method (Marquardt, 2016).

       Note

      We can thus explain the operating principle of foot reflexology by means of the neural connections between the outside and the inside of the body.

      It is a unique characteristic of living organisms that they respond to stimuli. Once the stimuli are received by the organism, the nervous system processes them, whether positive or negative. During foot reflexology treatment, the stimuli, which affect and heal the organism, create neural impulses that reach the central nervous system from the periphery via neural pathways and they are processed there. Subsequently, the organs, organ systems, or parts of the body receive corresponding messages from the brain to change their functions and functional processes. In other words, these stimuli trigger reactions that cause the organism to restore normal circulation in the blood and lymph systems and to improve the elimination of metabolic end products from the organism. At the same time, they support the flow of energy to the diseased organs, activate the body’s immune defenses, and strengthen its self-healing powers. In addition, we see a harmonization of the nervous system and mental state. The stimuli also contribute to the beginning or support of the healing process and, as a result, to the eventual healing of the affected organ or parts of the organism.

      We can treat a number of different diseases with reflex zone therapy alone. But in most cases, it is an ideal complement to a complex therapeutic process.

      Foot reflexology zones are also useful and have great practical value in the area of preventative medicine, because when a point is particularly painful or sensitive, this indicates that disturbances are present in the associated organs, organ systems, or parts of the body. A therapist who recognizes the signs from the foot reflex zones through adequate critical observation as health threats is able to prevent a potential disease, even though initially there are barely any changes visible in the associated organ (e.g., no evidence in ultrasound, X-rays, etc.).

      We can see this connection between the body’s surface and inside reflected in the fact that it is not only an organ itself that is affected in case of a disease but also the surrounding subcutaneous and connective tissues. When palpating a diseased person, this frequently manifests in specific areas of the body as poor blood circulation, sensitivity to touch or pressure, or swelling or even deposits or knots in the connective tissue (myogeloses (Abele, 2005)).

       Memorize M!

       Foot reflexology therapy is generally appropriate for all people, from infants to the elderly, because age presents neither an obstacle nor a contraindication.

      Contraindications for foot reflexology therapy are:

      • Venous and arterial inflammation in the legs and feet.

      • Pregnancy: high-risk pregnancy.

      • Acute cardiac insufficiency.

      • Acute circulatory problems.

      • Diseases on the feet that make treatment impossible.

      It is, however, entirely appropriate to treat tumor patients. While foot reflexology therapy will not cure the disease, it can improve a number of attendant symptoms considerably.

      No standardized illustrations of the foot reflex zones exist, only a number of mutually divergent ones. Nevertheless, experience has shown that the small area of the reflex zones on the sole and back of the foot does in fact reflect the entirety of the body with all its organs, muscle groups, and parts, and that it is possible to influence specific regions of the body reflexively by treating corresponding zones. This experience has remained consistent through the centuries, regardless of variations

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