ZONES OF THE BODY
Reflexology is based on the presence of 10 energy zones in the body. These zones were discovered by Dr Fitzgerald in the late 19th century. They are longitudinal, ascending from the base of the body – the feet – up through to the top of the head.
While working as an ear, nose and throat surgeon in a hospital in Vienna, Paris and London, he discovered that he could relieve pain in one part of a patient’s body by applying pressure to another part of the body.
The body can be divided into 10 longitudinal zones. If a midline divided the body in half, five zones would lie on the left of the midline and five on the right. Each zone relates to the fingers and the toes of the body.
Zone one
Extends from the thumb, up the arm to the brain and ten down to the big toe.
Zone two
Extends from the second finger up the arm to the brain and down to the second toe.
Zone three
Extends from the third finger up the arm, to the brain and down to the third toe.
Zone four
Extends from the fourth finger up the arm to the brain and down to the fourth toe.
Zone five
Extends from the little finger up the arm to the brain and down to the little toe.
The division between each zone extends from the web of the fingers to the web of the toes. The importance of the 10 zones extending throughout the body is due to the fact that parts of the body are linked to one another by the energy flow within the zone and therefore affect one another.
For example, it is known that kidney problems may result in eye problems due to the fact that the kidneys and the eyes are situated within the same zones.
Transverse Zones
In addition to the longitudinal (vertical) zones, there are three transverse (horizontal) zones on the feet corresponding to the transverse zones of the body.
An imaginary line is drawn across the upper shoulder girdle, with the area above that line relating to the body parts of the head and the neck.
An imaginary line is also drawn across the lower level of the ribs (i.e. the waist level), with the area between the first and second lines relating to the upper abdomen/thorax area.
An imaginary line drawn across the groin area (i.e. pelvic floor area), with the area between the second and third lines relating to the organs and parts of the lower abdomen and pelvis.
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