The Family Guide to Reflexology
This beautifully produced reflexology manual emphasizes the importance of the caring exchange of touching, especially in families where physical affection is not a usual interaction. Gillanders, a practicing reflexologist and teacher in the field, describes the 5,000-year-old therapy as releasing blocked energy by applying pressure to reflex points on the feet or hands, thereby restoring harmony to bodily functions. The manual provides detailed maps of the hands and feet of babies, children, and adults, followed by basic reflexology principles and instructions for a short foot-relaxation session and complete foot and hand treatments. All techniques are illustrated with conveniently placed four-color drawings. Successive chapters present reflexology protocols for common ailments of babies, children, and adults; the author focuses throughout on stress-related and life-stage problems. Sidebars suggest such supportive strategies as dietary changes, breathing and relaxation exercises, and herbal remedies to supplement the reflexology sessions. End matter includes a list of further reading.Penny Spokes