to stress. In one municipal district, almost one-third of the employees reported greater satisfaction with their jobs after completing six sessions with a reflexologist.
 
In reflexology theory, points and areas on the feet, hands, and ears correspond to specific organs, bones and body systems. Practitioners access these points on the feet and hands (bottom, sides, and top) and the ear (both inside as far as the finger can reach and outside) to affect organs and systems throughout the entire body.
 
Maps of reflex points have been passed between practitioners across the globe. Understandably, there is not agreement among all reflexologists on all points; however, general agreement does exist on major reflex points. Some scientific documentation of linkages between the skin and internal organs also exists.
 
To represent how the body systems correspond to one another, reflexologists use reflexology "maps." A good example of a reflexology map exists for the feet. Each foot represents a vertical half of the body:
 
•    The left foot corresponds to the left side of the body and all organs, valves, etc. found there.
•   The right foot corresponds to the right side of the body and all organs found there. For example, the liver is on the right side of the body, and therefore the corresponding reflex area is on the right foot.
 
A reflexologist may perform a general, integrated session, or may focus on specific problem areas on the feet, hands or ears. For example, if time is limited and the person really needs to relax, the reflexologist may choose just to work on the ears.
 
Whatever the approach, the reflexologist attempts to release congestion or stress in the nervous system and balance the body's energy.
 
Acupuncture and acupressure: Reflexology is similar to acupuncture and acupressure in that it works with the body's vital energy through the stimulation of points on the body. However, acupuncture/acupressure points do not always coincide with the reflex points used in reflexology.
 
Reflexology and acupressure are both "reflex" therapies in that they work with points on one part of the body to affect other parts of the body. While reflexology uses reflexes that are in an orderly arrangement resembling a shape of the human body on the feet, hands, and outer ears, acupressure uses over 800 reflex points that are found along long thin energy lines called meridians that run the length of the entire body.
 
Massage: Some people confuse reflexology with massage. While both massage and reflexology use touch, the approaches are very different.
 
•    Massage is the systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, using specific techniques (for example, tapping, kneading, stroking, and friction) to relax the muscles.
•    Reflexology focuses on reflex maps of points and areas of the body in the feet, hands, and ears using unique micromovement techniques such as thumb or finger walking and hook and backup to create a response throughout the body.
 
In short, massage therapists work "from the outside in," manipulating specific muscle groups or fascia to release tension. Reflexology practitioners see themselves as working "from the inside out" -- stimulating the nervous system to release tension.
 
Another difference between massage and reflexology is that a client will stay fully clothed for a reflexology session except for removing footwear, whereas clients remove clothing for a massage session.

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Works Cited
Eriksen, L. (1992). Municipal Reflexology. Zoneterapeuten (Journal of the Danish Reflexologists Association, FDZ), 6.
Eriksen, L., & Levin, S. (1995). A Closeup View on Company Reflexology (Committee Report): Danish Reflexologists Association.
Enersen, O. D. (1994-2007). Head's Zones. Who Named It? Accessed May 24, 2007, from http://www.whonamedit.com/synd.cfm/636.html.
Frequently Asked Questions. (2007). Frequently Asked Questions Retrieved March 5, 2007, from http://www.americanacademyofreflexology.com/FAQsOf.shtml#DiffMass.
History of Reflexology. (2007). American Academy of Reflexology Retrieved March 4, 2007, from http://www.americanacademyofreflexology.com/HistoryOf.shtml.
Kristese, K., Moller, E., & Rasmussen, I. (1996). Reflexology as Personel Care in the Arthus District Corporation: Take Good Care of Your Fellow Employees. Zoneterapeuten (Journal of the Danish Reflexologists Association, FDZ), 1.
Madsen, S., & Andersen, J. (1993). Postal Reflexology (Committee Report): Odense Danish Reflexologists Association Research Committee Report.
Terp, H. (1995). Municipal Reflexology in Svendborg, A study of the Effect of Reflexology Treatment in the Eastern District of the Municiaplity of Svendborg, Denmark (Committee Report): Danish Reflexologists Association.