It’s truly a wonder when one comes to the understanding that the pads of the feet are linked to the lungs.  Foot Reflexologists have first-hand knowledge of this and have been able to help those with breathing challenges by using specific techniques on feet to stimulate the release of stagnant air that gets trapped deep in the tissue of the lungs.

 

How can this be?

Years of research studying foot mechanics and their relationship to reflex activity have led me to better knowledge of this amazing connection. Let me explain.

 

When feet carry and move the body there is almost a seamless gyration of movement from the feet to the head which is mostly delivered by healthy foot structure. As we stand and move, the weight of the body depends on a strong foundation to maintain healthy resistance for posture, and this sustains musculo-skeletal integrity and the ability to flow with movement provided by feet.

 

The foot as a unit is a very dynamic organ in and of itself. Adding another dimension to its complexity such as reflex activity can be brilliantly validated when it is understood that each part of the foot has a biomechanical impact to the function of the body above. For example:

• The heel reflects the pelvis
• The mid-foot reflects the waste of the body (transverse arch)
• The medial arch of the foot reflects the spine
• The fore-foot (pads) reflects the chest
• The toes reflect the head

To further explain this:

The action of the heel making contact with the ground stabilizes and moves the pelvis.  As weight reaches the midfoot, muscle power directs weight along the transverse arch allowing the foot to spring and shock-absorb the body weight, thus stimulating digestive processes. Shock absorption received by the arch of the foot causes a reaction of movement along the spine of the body which stimulates neural activity to glands and organs.

 

As weight reaches the pad of the foot, muscles between the toes known as lumbricals allow for metatarsal expansion and provide a firm foundation for this part of the foot to receive the weight of the body, specifically the chest.  Balancing weight on the pad of the foot also reflexively enables chest muscles to expand the ribs, giving room for greater lung capacity. In succession, toes then stabilize and balance the body and head and aid in the transition of weight to the other foot. The active participation of toe function reflexively keeps the sinus cavities open and clear of congestion.

 

What happens when feet don’t work this way?

Usually foot mechanics go awry with wearing certain types of shoes, specifically those that taper the fore-foot which immobilizes lumbrical muscles and impairs toe function. Toes that become unable to engage in their function to balance the upper body can eventually affect lung function.  From a reflexology point of view fore-foot encasing is equivalent to girdling the chest.  Long term repercussions may minimize lung expansion and interruptions in proper gas exchanges between air and blood, which is essential to keep all body tissue healthy and vital.

 

Here are easy self-care exercises to improve fore-foot and toe function for healthier lungs:

 

1.Practice spreading your toes.

If you can’t actively do this exercise use your finger to work out tension in the areas between your metatarsals on the bottom (plantar) and top (dorsal) side of your foot, and then try to spread them again.  Don’t worry if you can’t do this at first.  Actively and passively working on spreading your toes will remind your brain how to move them again.

 

2. Flex and extend your toes.

The same goes here, if you find this exercise difficult use your fingers to manually extend toes upward then downward, as well as rotate each toe and move them side to side. Then gently pull each toe individually away from the foot for a nice stretch.

 

3. Stretch your lumbrical muscles.

One foot at a time, place your thumb between the small toe and fourth toe and the other thumb between the great toe and second toe. Now gently and slowly, stretch the toes away from each other and then move the toes toward each other, repeat several times. Practice this exercise between all the toes.

 

4. Walking.

The action of waking stimulates breathing and helps pump deoxygenated blood back to the heart so Co2 can be breathed out of the lungs. Whenever possible, barefoot-walking is best or walking with shoes that give the forefoot room to expand. For example, while the foot sits in the shoe there should be enough room to also tap the tip of a pencil between each toe. 

 

 

Cheers to the breath of life!

 

Respiratory System Reflected on Feet Illustration ©Geraldine Villeneuve