Everyone has “reflective” zones in the microsystem of their feet which in a healthy person, as with healthy organs, display no abnormalities but can be discerned when there are pathological changes by

• the expression of pain,

• irritation of the autonomous nervous system, and

• palpation findings.

Expression of Pain

Many patients react spontaneously to the therapeutic grip in an abnormal area with verbal remarks or other indications of pain and should be encouraged to express their feelings freely. Thus they can help beginners, in particular, not to exceed their limits regarding the appropriate dosage.

Irritations of the Autonomous Nervous System

Such irritations are triggered by the therapeutic grip being too rough, too quick, or too strong and signal the need for a change of approach in the area, even if these zones themselves are not always painful.

Patients who arrive with damp hands or other signs of strain involving the autonomous nervous system should generally be treated gently and with delicate grips. Usually, their responsiveness is significantly improved by stabilizing grips at the start of the respective treatment.

Palpation Findings—Tactile Findings

We can train our tactile qualities in such a way that we can eventually recognize abnormal zones by changes in their temperature and tissue tonus. At this stage we no longer have to depend solely on the patient’s reactions to determine the appropriate dosage. To acquire this skill, empathy and an interest in the work are required, as well as a relatively large amount of practice.

Each course of therapy represents a very personal relationship between two people. Both have their individual approach and their own way of handling it.

The appropriate dosage is of crucial significance for the result of the treatment and demands both careful observation of the patient’s reactions during treatment and a good deal of sympathetic understanding. In earlier times the pain experienced in a zone was sufficient indication to change a given dosage.