The left side of the body duplicates the right in most areas. The differences occur in the left region of the upper abdomen, which houses the spleen, and in the intestinal area. The unique areas of the left side of the body are the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and the reflex for the rectum.

The spleen is the organ that contains the most concentrated area of lymphatic tissue. The spleen also contains red blood cells. The function of the spleen is to ingest bacteria and old red blood cells, as well as store blood to be released as needed. The spleen is tucked under the diaphragm next to the stomach on the left side of the body.

The transverse colon flows into the splenic flexure, which is the left curve of the large intestine, underneath the spleen. From the left flexure, the colon merges into the descending colon, moving down the left side of the lower abdomen. The descending colon converges with the sigmoid colon, which begins in line with the bottom of the left hip. The sigmoid colon moves toward the center of the body, emptying into the rectum.

As we have discussed, the large intestine deals with the last stages of digestion. Whatever nutrients may remain are converted for absorption and carried to the liver. The remaining waste is transported out of the body.

From our head to our toes, the left and right sides are basically the same, minus these few differences. The reflexology treatment reflects this, as the technique used on each foot is the same, except for the areas that have been discussed.