Mapping of the Feet & Meridian Therapy
Mapping of the Feet
The underlying theory behind reflexology is that there are “reflex” areas on the feet, hands and ears that correspond to specific organs, glands, and other parts of the body.
Although the Original Ingham Method® is used world-wide, other prominent reflexology trainers in various countries contributed to the development of new reflexology charts.
The chart developed by Inge Dougans maps the feet as follows:
- Tips of the toes – head and neck area i.e. ears, eyes, nose and mouth.
- Ball of the foot – thoracic area i.e. the lung, heart and thyroid.
- Arch of the foot – abdominal area i.e. the liver, stomach, pancreas and kidney
- Heel – pelvic area i.e. sciatic nerves, lower back and intestines
- Ankle – reproductive area
- Inner foot – the spine
- Outer foot – the outer body i.e. arm, knee and hip
Meridian Therapy
Some systems of reflexology also use these meridians as a basis for reflexology treatment.
A meridian is described as an ‘energy highway’ in the human body and exists in corresponding pairs.
Each meridian has many acupuncture points along its path which are used for acupuncture, a treatment that involves inserting very thin needles through a person’s skin at specific points on the body to alleviate pain or to help treat various health conditions.
- Meridians in the arms: Lung, Heart, Pericardium, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Triple Burner.
- Meridians of the leg: Spleen, Kidney, Liver, Stomach, Bladder and Gall Bladder.
- Meridians in the feet: There are six main meridians that penetrate the main organs; liver, spleen/pancreas, stomach, gall bladder, bladder and kidneys.
Inge Dougans is the founder of the revolutionary Vacuflex Reflexology System™, which is used by qualified therapists worldwide. The Vacuflex System uses a vacuum boot foot reflexology treatment together with a vacuum cupping treatment sequence along the acupuncture meridians that transverse the whole body.
