Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure to reflex points in the feet and hands to stimulate the body's own healing system. Every part of the foot corresponds to a part of the body, with reflex areas being found on the soles, tops, and sides of the feet. The hands also contain these reflexes, but the feet are generally considered to be more responsive to treatment.

These reflex points create a logical map of the body, with the toes representing the head and moving down the body as one moves toward the heel. Reflexology stimulates more than 7,000 nerves on the feet. It is possible through reflexology treatments to help many disorders, as it stimulates the pressure points on the feet that activate the body's own healing powers and relaxes the body in such a way that it can heal itself.

A British study conducted on women in 1996 and published in the International Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, concluded that foot reflexology gave excellent results for treating depression, and after 8 treatments, some women had physical improvements with irritable bowel syndrome, edema, pms, headaches, and sinusitis.

Feet First, a book written by Laura Norman maintains that reflexology can reduce stress and induce deep relaxation; improve circulation, oxygen and nutrients to cells; cleanse the body of toxins and impurities; balance the whole system (homeostasis); restore mental alertness and improve the attention span.

It must be understood that the Reflexologist does not cure; only the body cures. Many
reflexology enthusiasts credit the treatment for their improved health, but the Reflexologist is only a channel of healing who has worked on the areas on the foot that correspond to the imbalanced part of the body, and thus, helped the body heal itself.

Reflexology dates back 5000 years to China and Egypt. Illustrations in tomb drawing from 3000 B.C. show Egyptians working with the feet in this manner. One of the earliest books to be written on the subject was published in 1582 by two eminent European physicians.

Carol Armstrong has been our chief Reflexologist at The Kerr House for 18 years and does a truly magnificent job. Sarah DeCola also pleases our guests and makes their feet happy.
The Ohio Medical Board is now licensing Reflexologists, as are many other Medical Boards.