Rotation
In rotation, the tip of the thumb is placed directly on the point to be rotated. Using your hands to practice on, turn a palm up and find the space just below the little finger. Whatever palm you choose to work on, let it rest cupped in the other palm. The fingers of the holding hand, which is also the working hand, rest under the knuckles. The thumb is going to work on the palm surface from the little finger side.
Learning the Technique
Feel under the little finger, on the palm surface. Find the undersurface of the knuckle bone and place your thumb on it. Back up to the edge of the hand and gently thumb walk over the bone, thumb walking in along the ball of the hand. You are walking horizontally across the palm. This thumb-walking movement will take about three tiny inchworm bites to reach past this bone.
Notice how the tip of the thumb drops into a space after the joint bone is passed over. If you have gone too far, you will find another bony bump, not quite as big as the first.
Fact
The five long bones in the hand are called metacarpal bones. The beginning of each bone has a head. These heads join with the ends of the fingers — the bones known as phalanges — to form the knuckles.
First, hold the hand steady. Then gently circle in a small rotating motion on this area. Staying right here, continue this move for about the count of three. Now press in and actually rotate the hand a bit, moving it around as the thumb holds the spot. The moving of the hand is minimal; you aren't actually turning the hand for the sake of turning. The movement of the hand is to allow the thumb to move in deeply without much force. To transition from this, move forward in a thumb walk along the rest of the area being worked.
When to Use Rotation
A reflexologist does not always rotate the foot. It depends upon what reflexes or areas are being working on. Rule of thumb, if anatomically — meaning physically — the foot cannot rotate, such as when working on the toes, do not turn. If the foot can move easily, such as when working on the solar plexus reflex, then go ahead. Again all of this will come with practice.
Rotation is a technique that allows the thumb to work steadily and directly on a reflex point. The thumb is walking along, when a reflex point is reached that needs more attention. Perhaps the skin is tougher, there is a crunchy feeling under the thumb, or the technique for this particular reflex calls for rotating in on the point. Whatever the reason, rotation feels great to the receiver.
