Introduction

A “Reflexology Foot Path” is a path designed to massage and stimulate acupressure points on the soles of the feet, which are connected to various energy meridians of the body.

To create the reflexology foot path, soft and smooth river rocks (or cobblestone) are placed in the path to stimulate neurological reflex zones on the foot to create health and well-being.

The stimulation of the reflex zones may initially create pain and soreness. In fact, that depends on how healthy you are. Little children can run on such path with little or no pain at all.

Actually, reflexology foot paths are common in China.

A recently completed study by scientists at the Oregon Research Institute (ORI) confirmed that walking on a cobblestone mat surface resulted in significant reduction in blood pressure, and improvement in balance and physical performance among adults 60 and over.

As a bonus, I share with you a video I created while walking on the Bastyr’s refloxology foot path:

9 tips on how to benefit the most from walking on the reflexology foot path

1. Walk barefoot or with socks
   • Barefoot shoes like (Vibram shoes or Vivobarefoot shoes) work but not so well
2. Take your time and walk slowly
   • You don’t have to force yourself if you feel pain
   • Take small breaks, sit down and massage your feet
   • Take it easy
3. Increase your progress each time and try to be regular
4. Remember to breath in and out
   • If you feel pain, which is natural in the beginning, breath it out
5. Note where it is painful and try to work on that area the next time
   • The end goal is to massage all the parts of your feet
   • No pain no gain? 😉 Not really but after a while you will feel better and it won’t hurt as much
6. Be regular/consistent in your walk routine
   1. Do it every other day or once a week in the weekends if possible and notice the health improvement and how you will feel less pain
7. Educate yourself about the foot reflexology map and try to step on stones (of different shapes and sizes) that massage organs that you want to work on
   • 
   • Link #1 #2
   • Bing.com images
8. Do not be afraid to step not just on the flat part of your feet:
   • Take steps by using the front soles only
   • Alternate and take steps by using the heel base only
   • Spread your toes and have their sides massaged by surrounding stones
   • Massage the sides of your feet by placing them between two large stones
   • Massage the top of your toes by putting them in front of other stones
   • Find small stones on the path and stand on the sole of your feet
9. …and the final common advise you hear whenever you receive a massage: “Drink water to help flush toxins away”

Where to find public reflexology foot paths?

I advise you to look in public parks near you. For instance, I live in Washington state and there is a bunch of public reflexology foot paths:

• Bastyr University Reflexology Foot Path
• Marymoor Park in Redmond
  • Joy the owner of the JoyFitnessAndStyle blog posted some pictures about this park: http://joyfitnessandstyle.com/2014/08/06/reflexology-at-marymoor-park/
• Steve Cox Memorial Park
• 132nd Square Park

There are other options to have your own reflexology foot path in the privacy of your own residence:

• EliteShine Christmas Gift for Daddy New Year Gift for Mom Natural Pebbles Massage Mat Cobblestone Health Care Reflexology Massage Yoga PVC Mat Bathroom Mat
• EliteShine Natural Pebbles Massage Mat Cobblestone Health Care Reflexology Massage Cushion Mat Christmas Gift for Daddy New Year Gift for Mom
• EliteShine Natural Pebbles Massage Mat Cobblestone Health Care Reflexology Massage Yoga Mat

Also there are sandals you can wear such as:

• Andux Land Natural Stone Massage Shoes/Massage Foot Slipper – Reflexology Sandals
• iLIVING Natural Stone Massage Shoes – Reflexology Sandals

Please leave your comments, health benefits you derived from reflexology foot path or other experiences you want to share.

Vivobarefoot shoes

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