Category: Foot health

Therapeutic reflexologists use foot assessments as a key diagnostic tool in understanding what is happening in the body. These assessments involve observations of the colour, texture and tactile structure of the feet, as well as the temperature.

What is the difference between a foot assessment and a foot reading assessment?

As a professional reflexologist, it is not in our scope of practice to read the feet on a deeper psychological or emotional level. We can only bring to a patients attention that which we see on the feet. We generally tend to work with the ‘first layers’ which is what is happening on a physical and basic emotional level. Your reflexologist may only go as far as to tell you what they see in the feet. If the patient would like, and the reflexologist is able to, a deeper analysis may be done, but the patient should then be referred to another therapist to deal with the processing of any underlying issues if the reflexologist is not qualified to do so.

The main aim of a reflexologist doing a foot reading is to create awareness in the patient, identify strengths and weaknesses, and determine what issues, life events, etc., have been ‘imprinted’ on the body (through the feet).

If you have any questions about reflexology, foot assessments, or foot reading, please feel free to contact me!

What is foot reading?

Foot reading is apparently just as old as reflexology. It is said to have been around in China and India over 5000 years ago. The Ancient Chinese were known to observe the body instead of performing dissections of cadavers. To understand what was going on internally, they used the diagnostic and evaluation tools, such as assessing and observing the tongue, face, feet, pulse reading/palpitation and meridian assessment, to identify what was going on in the body and what imbalances there were, so that they could remedy them by endeavouring to re-balance the body.

Foot reading is perhaps a similar diagnostic tool to iridology. Reflexology is often confused with being a principle similar to iridology, which is only half true. Reflexology can be ‘split’ into two parts: 1. The assessment of the foot (and/or hand, face, ear) and 2. Working on the reflexology points and meridians using a massage-like technique to help facilitate self-healing and balance in the body.

Why (some) Reflexologists use foot reading as an assessment tool and How is it beneficial to a reflexology treatment.

Therapeutic reflexologists assess the feet on some level, whether they are just working with the physical aspects, looking beyond to the psychological and emotional aspects, or the subtle metaphysical energetics of the body.

To give you a general understanding, the different parts of the feet correspond to the specific organs in the body and to specific psychological or metaphysical aspects of one’s life.

1. The toes represent our Thought, beliefs and ideas;
2. The ball of the foot represents our feelings;
3. The upper arch of the foot represents what we are doing and the drive and determination we have (or do not have) doing things;
4. The lower arch of the foot represents relationships and our attachments;
5. The heel of the foot represents our motivations and security.

These sections cross both horizontally and vertically—starting with 1. Thoughts and beliefs at the big toe, going across, and ending with 5. Motivation and security at the 5^th toe.

Different markings on the feet represent what is happening in that area of the body.

The shape, size, colour and temperature of certain areas of the foot also indicate a person’s temperament, constitution as well as the health and condition of the organs and body.

An Example:

I’ll give you a very brief example of an anonymous pair of feet (permission received to use these images) to show you some aspects of what would be ‘read’. This example shows the soles / plantar aspect of the feet, but when doing a foot reading, we also look at the tops and sides of the feet.

A foot reading analysis should not be a ‘definitive’ remark, but should be open to some interpretation based on holistic aspects of the person’s life. The reflexologist is only there to tell you what they see or what the foot is telling them. A weakness should not be seen as a limitation, and a strength should not be taken for granted – work on the weaknesses and cultivate the strengths.

1. How the toes line up – The 3^rd toe is shorter than the line, this may indicate that this person is not very aggressive or assertive, or they lack creative energy. The big toe pad is large and the toe is over the line, which can indicate that this persons’ energies get lost. They could be full of ideas and like to talk a lot. They could achieve great thing, but first need to find clarity of thought.
2. Yellow hue to the stem of the second toe – This indicates something chronic – on a physical level it could either indicate chronic inflammation of the eye; or chronic sinus / mucous. In a psychological level, this person might be fed-up of what they are seeing
3. The 4^th toe pad is noticeably larger on the left hand side which may indicate that relationships with people occupy a lot of ‘space’ in their minds, relationships and people may be very important to them.
4. The 2^nd toe on the RHS is ‘hidden’ by the 3^rd toe – this may indicate that their feelings where suppressed by what they were doing (RHS = past).
5. Yellowing of the chest / heart reflex – this person may have mucous or inflammation in the chest or they are unhappy, but keeping their bitterness and frustration to themselves.
6. Cross (x) on the heart reflex, more noticeable on the LHS foot. This could indicate some damage to the heart, or a heart break that really ‘cut deep’
7. Yellow, hardness and slight protrusion of the shoulder reflex. Strain on the shoulders. Could also indicate frustration with having to bear other people loads.
8. Some puffiness of the stomach reflex – this may indicate that they are feeling that it is difficult to ‘stomach something’ or s situation, or they are weighed down with worry.
9. High arches – this person may feel most comfortable in their own company; they like their independence and may struggle to ask other for help.
10. Deep lines in the 4^th vertical zones may indicate that emotions are getting in the way of whatever is going on in relationships.
11. Blister on the heel – blisters indicate emotional friction rubbing up against their ideas or beliefs or a continuous habit that irritates them. The RHS heel related to fear.

In most reflexology practices, we just perform foot reading on a physical level. But sometimes it is necessary to bring to the patient’s attention what we are seeing from an emotional / psychological level. An intensive foot reading assessment can take at least 2 hours.

One question I get often is, can the feet change? Yes, definitely! While the general shape and size of the foot will very likely stay the same, other parts of the feet are constantly changing. Maybe not so obviously, but the toes might start to change direction, the colours and texture of the feet change, and blisters and callouses may form and disappear.

Your nervous system is your body’s control and communication centre. It’s a vast network of the brain, spinal cord, and sensory organs, all connected by an intricate web of nerves that allows every part of your body to talk to one another.

To truly appreciate its structure, Anne Hilarius-Ford from Energy Reflexology likens a neuron (the fundamental cell of the nervous system) to a tree.

• The neuron is the tree itself.
• The soma (cell body) is the canopy.
• The dendrites are the branches.
• The axon is the tree trunk.
• The terminal buttons are the roots.

These neurons are specialised to transmit messages throughout your entire body, enabling you to react, feel, and control your movements.

The Body’s Chemical Messengers: Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that allow neurons to communicate with each other. They can either excite or inhibit signals between cells, making them the “key” that unlocks a specific response.

When this communication is balanced and working efficiently, your body can function at its best, which is essential for your physical and psychological well-being. These messengers are affected by everything from diet and stress to disease and drugs.

How Reflexology Influences Your Nervous System

Your feet are incredibly sensitive. With over 7,000 nerve endings, they constantly communicate with your central nervous system. This is where reflexology can have a profound impact. 

Many theories exist on how it works, but one of the most powerful effects is a calming message sent from the peripheral nerves in the feet to the central nervous system. This helps shift your body from the “fight or flight” stress response to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for “rest and digest.”

When this system is engaged, you can experience:

• Improved digestion, respiration, and circulation
• Enhanced healing, immunity, and repair
• A more profound sense of relaxation
• Improved creative thinking and problem-solving

The Role of Nutrition and a Healthy Lifestyle

We now know that your mood, concentration, and behaviour are deeply linked to the health of your nervous system. When you are stressed, your neurotransmitters can become depleted. Reflexology helps promote deep relaxation, supporting your body’s natural regulation processes.

Nutrition also plays a vital role in the synthesis of these neurotransmitters. A healthy diet can support your brain health and help your body process stress more effectively.

A professional reflexologist can help promote balance in your body. They may also offer advice on lifestyle and nutrition to support your overall health. There is much more to learn about the nervous system, and these sources below provide a great starting point for further reading.

Sources

• Hilarius-Ford, A. Energy Reflexology. Reflexology and neural pathways. 2013/04/08.
• Bridgewater Community Healthcare. Podiatry foot facts.
• Cherry, K. Identifying a neurotransmitter.
• Wurtman, RJ. Food consumption, neurotransmitter synthesis and human behaviour (abstract).
• Minich, D. Eating for your neurotransmitters. 2018/10/11.

Have you ever wondered what your feet reveal about your health?

My journey into reflexology began at 17, with a visit to a reflexologist who seemed to know so much about me just from my feet. When I asked how, she called it a ‘gift,’ and I honestly thought she had ‘psychic powers’!

Now, with my studies and many years of practice, I understand that these ‘gifts’ are actually learned skills. Reflexologists use specific, documented observations, refined through countless case histories, to gain deeper insight into a patient’s health.

I’ve found many new patients, curious about reflexology, prefer that I identify their issues simply by examining their feet – and I completely understand the excitement of hearing someone articulate concerns you haven’t even mentioned! However, as professional reflexologists, we deeply respect your privacy and never use these insights as mere ‘party tricks.’

Why Do Reflexologists Ask for Your Case History?

If we can gain so much insight from your feet, why do we still ask about your health history?

While foot observations are incredibly powerful, therapeutic reflexologists use them to enhance your treatment. Our main goal is to address the primary reason you came to see us. Your case history helps us:

• Confirm and identify key problem areas and patterns.
• Understand the “why” behind what we’re observing in your feet.
• Most importantly, develop a personalised treatment protocol so you get the maximum benefit from your session.

Of course, it’s always fascinating when we identify something you might have forgotten to mention, often leading to curious questions about “how we knew that!”

What Does a Reflexologist Observe on Your Feet?

Once we’ve reviewed your case history, it’s time to examine your feet (and sometimes hands, face, or ears). Here’s what we might observe:

• Colour: Pale feet often suggest low energy, chronic illness, or anaemia. Some techniques, like the Vacuflex boot, intensify these observations: blue might indicate organ stress or acute pain; yellow, mucous or inflammation; white, chronic conditions; and red, inflammation or acidity.
• Temperature: Foot temperature can reveal circulatory quality and even temperament. Hot feet might indicate someone who is rushed or prone to anger, while cold feet could suggest a lack of confidence or a tendency not to complete tasks.
• Shape & Size: Beyond physiology, the size and shape of your feet can offer insights into your personality, attitude, and general approach to life.
• Texture: Dry skin often signals dehydration, digestive issues, or insufficient healthy fats. Puffy feet (oedema) could indicate water retention, dehydration, or circulatory/heart concerns.
• Abnormalities: We look for swollen areas, calluses, peeling skin, bunions, corns, or other skin hardness. A reflexologist considers where these abnormalities correspond on the reflex map and what they might signify. For example, a callus over the oesophagus reflex area could indicate ongoing irritation or strain related to heartburn/reflux.
• Nails: Your nails offer a fascinating story about your liver, kidney health, circulation, and heart well-being. (In fact, I wrote an entire article on nails as an assessment tool.

So, during your next reflexology session, feel free to ask questions! Don’t hesitate to ask what your feet reveal, why you might have dry skin, or what a specific callus or bunion could signify. It’s all part of understanding your body better.

Interested in diving deeper?

Ready to discover what your feet can tell you? Book your therapeutic reflexology session with Jasmine in Somerset West or Marina in Modderfontein today!