Foot massage is a serious business in Hong Kong.
In the spirit of don't knock it until you've tried it, I entered the highly recommended foot spa with curiosity. It seems to make sense - our feet, after all, are our primary point of contact with the earth and holding in mind the ethos of the reward being in the journey, our feet are largely responsible for making possible the physical journey-ing we so often take for granted.
I've not looked back. As a restorative pick-me-up, it seems brilliantly effective. Whilst not to be confused with a foot rub, traditional Chinese foot massage works on acupressure principles, with gentle but firm pressure applied to very specific points on the feet and lower legs. As I left I recognised a sense of renewed balance, together with an apparent oxymoronic experience of groundedness whilst feeling as though I were walking on air.
"The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground." Buddhist saying
Reflexology is a non-intrusive complementary health therapy, based on the theory that different points on the feet, lower leg, hands, face or ears correspond with different areas of the body. Reflexologists work holistically with their clients and aim to work alongside allopathic healthcare to promote better health for their clients.
Reflexology is a therapy which can be received by anyone at any age, from newborn babies to those receiving end of life care, and everyone in between.
Professional reflexologists do not claim to cure, diagnose or prescribe. Reflexology is a very individual treatment which works with you holistically; the theory is that reflexology helps the body to restore its balance naturally. Usually, after a treatment your tension may be reduced and you might feel a renewed sense of calm. Other common side effects include sleeping better, and enjoying improved mood and sense of wellbeing.
With the ever increasing levels of stress in everyday life, it is important for us all to take more responsibility for our healthcare needs. Reflexology may be one of the ways to mitigate the stresses of modern life.
Having had a few different treatments in recent days, I've noticed my body responding in very noticeable ways. This apparently gentle technique has noticeable effects, on body and mind promoting a sense of wellbeing and relaxation.
"The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art."
Leonardo da Vinci
Whilst the art of reflexology dates back to Ancient Egypt, India and China, it did not make its way to the West until Dr William Fitzgerald developed 'Zone therapy'. He believed that reflex areas on the feet and hands were linked to other areas and organs of the body within the same zone. In the 1930s, Eunice Ingham further developed this zone theory into what is known as reflexology. Her opinion was that congestion or tension in any part of the foot is mirrored in the corresponding part of the body.
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