Do-It-Yourself Reflexology Path

Build your own reflexology path.

The cobblestone paths in China are constructed of cobblestones imbedded in concrete and angled to create a strong pressure underfoot. To simulate this experience, consider the possibilities available to you.

Use objects found around your house and see if you like what you feel underfoot. Our suggestion is to just do it. Get started. Do you have: rocks in the garden, a jute door mat, a beaded door mat, a broom handle, or a dowel stick? Found objects are a good place to start because you can try them and see what you like. Other possibilities include found objects you can containerize by placing in a shallow box: wooden beads, dried peas, or gravel.

Always consider comfort and safety. If you have osteoporosis or a foot problem, this technique may not be for you. When choosing underfoot material, you'll want an object that is smooth to the skin and low to the ground for easy stepping instead of precarious balancing. When placing the object on the ground or floor, take care to place it on a grassy or carpeted surface so it won't slide under you standing foot. Don't place it in a walkway where it can create a hazard.

Now you're ready to start. Begin indoors or outdoors and place the found object on the ground or carpeted floor. Stand with a hand on a chair back to be sure of your balance. Walk in place with the object underfoot. Feel the surface underfoot. Now, pause for a moment, noting your perceptions of pressure and stretch. Move your feet slightly so that another part of the foot now experiences the surface. Does it feel differently than the first? Hurt good? Hurt bad to the point of unpleasantness?

Try another surface. Experiment to find which surfaces you like and which you don't like. Create a small pathway of the various surfaces. See if you like walking over the surfaces, standing in place or walking in place. Everyone has his or her own personal taste. Go with what you like.

Now that you've experimented some, move on to try some other surfaces. Maybe you'll like them better, maybe not. Visit your local home improvement store or garden shop. Try different size rocks. A cobblestone path will include rocks 1/2" to 2 1/2" in length with a height of 1/2" to / 1/2". Smooth river rocks (6" in length, 3" in width and 2" in height) are another choice. If you find something you like, you buy a small quantity to take home and consider.

An import store offers further shopping potential. Try a jute mat. Consider bamboo. It can be sliced in half along it's length for walking on the rounded surface to simulate the experience of takefumi, the ancient Japanese samurai tradition.

When choosing your underfoot materials, consider: