Learn Reflexology! How to Thumb Walk

This week's Reflexology Minute: How to Thumb Walk
You will learn: 

• How to thumb walk;
• Correct technique;
• How to best address the area you're working on.

Thumb walking is one of the most popular reflexology techniques. If you learn how to do it correctly you will be able to address your concerns with more precision and efficacy.

What I find helpful about learning this technique first is it will strengthen your thumb and make it easier to learn other techniques that require thumb use. It is also one of the best techniques for self-care. While some people encourage using balls or tools, nothing compares to feeling the tissue you are working on with your own hands. It is also great because some of the brain reflexes are located in the tip of your thumbs. So, when thumb walking you are also working on your brain!

To thumb walk bend at the interphalangeal joint of your thumb, not bending beyond a 90 degree angle. Using your other hand to practice on, apply pressure onto the tip of your thumb. If you have nails, consider cutting them shorter so that you don't feel the nail going into your hand. To move forward (i.e. thumb walk) you will be unbending the thumb slightly and then bending again, not letting go of too much of the pressure. By applying relatively continuous pressure and not lifting up your thumb, you will not miss any of the organs, glands, or areas of the body you are working on in the reflexology map.

photo by Janette Paule