Extract from the Foot Reflexology Manual

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5. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Function

The main function of the respiratory system is to bring oxygen to the blood and expel carbon dioxide. The cells of the body can’t be without oxygen; this is why we must constantly bring oxygen to our body through breathing. Gas exchange takes place in the walls of the lungs’ alveoli. Generally, breathing in and out is involuntary. However, we can make a conscious effort to alter the pace. The respiratory system participates in toxin elimination so it is worth working on it to activate faster elimination.

Organs

The respiratory system is made of a series of passages to bring outside air to the lungs.

The system is subdivided into upper respiratory tract:

nostrils, nasal cavity and pharynx

and lower respiratory tract:

larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs (alveoli).

The sinuses are air cavities within the skull and face.

The diaphragm and rib muscles participate in the breathing cycle through their contractions.

Detailed Treatment

The respiratory reflex zones are found on both feet, on the dorsal and sole aspects of the feet.

Start with the left foot:

1. Hold the left foot so you can comfortably stimulate the chest (lung function) reflex zone on its dorsal aspect with the flat of your phalanges. Continue until you cover the whole area in small gentle clockwise circles. This movement is very relaxing so you can use it before starting a session if you do not intend to work the entire respiratory system.
2. Change over to the right foot and do the same move.
3. Come back to the left foot to work on the mouth and throat reflexes. Hold the foot to work on its dorsal aspect. Place your working index in the webbing between the big toe and the second toe, and place your thumb underneath as a claw. Apply pressure and stroke this zone, then thumb walk (with your index) down 2 or 3 cm to cover the pharynx reflex. You can also slide your index finger over this zone, always starting at the base of the toes and slide along the foot, following the metatarsal of the big toe.
4. Change over to the right foot and do the same.
5. Hold the left foot and thumb walk down the larynx and trachea reflexes which are on the inside edge of the second metatarsal on the sole of the foot.
6. Then you can work the lung reflex zone between the diaphragm line and the base of the toes. Hold the toes with one hand and place your working thumb just above the diaphragm line between zone 1 and 2. Thumb walk up towards the base of the toes, then repeat this between zones 2-3, 3-4, 4-5. Then thumb walk across from zone 1 to 5 to “push” all the toxins towards the shoulder reflex zone in zone 5.
7. Work the sinus points on top of each toe, on the inside. 
8. Repeat steps 5 to 7 on the right foot.

Summary

Figure 25

Figure 26

1. Left foot, dorsal: Lung function – stimulate
2. Right foot, dorsal: Lung function – stimulate
3. Left foot: Mouth, Throat – stroke then thumb walk the Pharynx
4. Right foot: Mouth, Throat – stroke then thumb walk the Pharynx
5. Left foot, sole: Larynx, trachea – thumb walk
6. Left foot: lung – thumb walk
7. Left foot: sinus - stimulate
8. Right foot: repeat steps 5 to 7

Techniques

Techniques used for this system are friction, stroking and thumb walk.

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