Reflexology: Walk Your Way to Vitality!

Reflexology paths are walkways made of various stones, carefully assembled to apply pressure to specific neurological reflex zones of the foot. The practice of reflexology dates back thousands of years and rests upon the premise that daily imbalances in diet, sleep and lifestyle allow toxins to accumulate in the 7,000 nerve endings of the foot. Applying pressure to the bottom of the feet can help flush these toxins out of the body.

Research has shown that reflexology can improve physical balance, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve vitality and immunity, improve circulation, and address imbalances in specific areas of the body, including lungs, eyes, ears and stomach.

While walking a reflexology path might seem self-explanatory, there are a few things to remember. Before walking the path, gently rock a grounding stone (or a single stone on the path) from the ball of your foot to your heel for approximately five minutes. Focus on the plantar muscle of your foot, located at the highest point of the arch of your foot. Then, gently and slowly, walk the path on the balls of your feet. Afterward, gently massage the muscles in your lower back, near your kidneys, and drink room-temperature water to flush the recently-released toxins from your body. Elizabeth Marazita, DAOM, MIA, LAc, acupuncture faculty member at Bastyr University, suggests walking a reflexology path for about twenty minutes, three times a day for optimal health.

In some communities you can find public outdoor reflexology paths (although it is not recommended to walk outdoor paths during wet or cold weather). A convenient year-round alternative is a portable indoor reflexology mat. Dr. Marazita and two other Bastyr graduates, Paul Raish, ND, and Michael Spano, MS, LAc, created Paths of Health, Inc. to manufacture indoor reflexology mats and educate people about their use and benefits. The mats come in three different styles and can be purchased at the dispensary at Bastyr Center for Natural Health and at the Bastyr University Bookstore.

Learn about Bastyr Center for Natural Health's acupuncture & Oriental medicine services or call 206.834.4100 to make an appointment.

Author: Kate Lindsay, staff writer
Date: November 2007
Source: Elizabeth Marazita, DAOM, MIA, LAc