REFLEXOLOGY

Reflexology is a complementary or holistic therapy that works on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet that correspond to every organ, part and function of the body.

A form of reflexology was first believed to have been practised in China about 5,000 years ago. Evidence of the Egyptians using the feet to treat the body has also been found on tombs in Egypt dating back to about 4,500 years ago. There is also evidence from North America that shows that some Indian tribes were also using the feet to treat disorders about 600 years ago.

The development of the modern form of reflexology was started at the beginning of the last century by Dr William Fitzgerald and Dr Edwin Bowers, when they published their book called ‘Zone Therapy’. This work was taken forward in the 1920s and 1930s by a physiotherapist called Eunice Ingham who used zone therapy to treat her patients. After years of working with patients Miss Ingham was eventually able to map the entire body onto the feet. She then renamed zone therapy reflexology.

Her work also meant that the use of reflexology as a therapy was more widely understood, and the training and treatment of the therapy standardised. Reflexology was introduced into the UK by Doreen Bayly in 1960, who was a student of Eunice Ingham.

Useful link: http://www.fht.org.uk

INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE ( Champissage)

Indian Head Massage is a complementary or holistic therapy that works to help relax the muscles of the upper arms, shoulders, neck, face and head.

The therapy works on two levels: physical and emotional. The physical element of Indian Head Massage helps to relax tense muscles; the emotional element works to calm the spirit, help the relaxation process and relieve stress.

Massage has always played a part in Indian health care, featuring in ancient Ayurvedic texts that date back some 4,000 years. The Indians used a form of massage within the healing art of Ayurveda, which is an ancient Indian system of traditional medicine. Ayurveda is still widely practised in India today.

Massage has played an important role in everyday life in India. From birth to adulthood, family members share the tradition of massaging each other. Head massage is also performed in barbers’ shops across the country, as part of the experience of getting your hair cut.

The form of Indian Head Massage I use was introduced to the UK in the late 1970s. While traditional Indian Head Massage was restricted to the care of the hair, the modern treatment treats the upper arms, shoulders, neck, face, head and ears.

It is a therapeutic massage that helps to relieve stress, aches and pains and rebalance the energy flow.

Interesting fact: the word ‘shampoo’ is derived from the Hindu word ‘champi’. Being ‘champi-ed’ meant having your hair massaged.

Useful links: http://www.metta.org.uk/home.asp