One theory, with acceptance in the Reflexology universe, refers that Reflexology was born in China about 5.000 years ago, although evidences are uncertain. However, egyptian and babilonic cultures were born before the chinese and Egypt as contributed with a historical evidence, found in diggings, of a document (pictogram) dated of 2.500 - 2350 B.C. that describes the practice of Reflexology.

It seems that there isn't doubts about the existence of a strong relation between Reflexology and Acupuncture, both based in similar ideas, that means in energetic and meridian therapies, in the way that propose the idea of energy lines linking the hands and feet to several parts of the body. This allows that all the body can be healed working the reflex zones.

In Acupuncture, with origin in China, needles are used to eliminate obstructions in the energetic paths (meridians) that break the body harmony and origin the disease. In it's turn, in Shiatsu, originated in Japan, finger (specially thumbs) pressure is used on Acupuncture points to produce similar results. Reflexologists also work with Acupuncture and Acupressure points, but only those in the feet.

Reflexology is a gentle art, a fascinate science and an extreme effective form of therapeutic massage, with the application of specific pressure in reflex points specially in the feet although could be also applied in the hands, which as conquest a distinct place in complementary natural medicine. It's a science because it's based in physiologic and neuralgic studies, but also an art because it depends strongly in the skill of the therapist applying is knowledge and of the dynamic between the therapist and the patient.

Reflexology in an holistic healing technique - the expression "holistic" derive from the greek word "holos" that means "the all" - so, it seeks to treat the person as an entity with body, mind and spirit. Reflexologists don't isolate the disease to treat it's symptoms, neither act specifically on one organ or system; in turn, they treat the person as one all, with the objective to induce states of equilibrium and harmony.

The reflex massage in feet, practiced in Reflexology, should not be confused with basic massage to feet or with body massage in a general way. It's a specific technique of pressure that acts in exact  reflex points of the feet, with base in the premise that reflex zones of feet match with to all body parts.

As feet represent a microcosm of the body, all organs, glands and other parts of the body are organized in a similar way in feet. The microcosm representation of body parts in different areas of the body are also shown in the eye iris, ear and hands. However, the reflex zones in feet are easier to localize because they cover a bigger area and are more specific, and so, are easier to work with.

Pressure is applied on reflex zones with hand fingers and using specific techniques, provoking physiologic changes in the body, in the way that the healing potential of the body of the patient is stimulated. So, feet could perform an important role to conquest and maintain a better health.

The reflexive treatment technique is simple, not requiring years of training for an effective use. In this therapy, useful for treating diseases and effective in maintaining health and in prevention of sickness, the relation between therapist and patient is very important for the healing process. The therapist act as a mediator to activate the healing potential of the patient.

As in other holistic therapies, in Reflexology is emphasized the need of the patient to assume the responsibility of it's own state of health, that means that, for better results, it's necessary the participation of the patient.

The disease is a direct result of thoughts and actions of people. The mind is extraordinarily powerful and affects all the body cells, provoking chemical changes. In this way, negative emotions like anxiety, regret, fear and worry, largely spread in modern society, will have negative repercussions in health.

Negative attitudes will never facilitate the heal, but an positive posture is very useful to conquest and maintain an healthy body, mind and spirit. So, it's primary to the patient the disposal to get free from the disease and to adopt an active role in the treatment.

It's not the reflexologist by it's own that heals since only the body could heal itself. But Reflexology helps to equilibrate all body systems, stimulating less active zones and calming hyperactive areas. Being all body systems closely related, any thing that affects one part will affect the all. It also can be referred that Reflexology is harmless to areas that are adequately working.

Many therapists, after several years of study and practice, concluded that Reflexology acts at physiological, psychological and spiritual levels.