The top of the foot represents the back area of the body. There are two divisions, using the diaphragm line to create the separation. Picture your back. Imagine a line representing the actual diaphragm muscle; this will be the line that divides the back into upper and lower regions. The back of the body consists of major muscles and bones, along with the spine. Place both feet together to picture what is represented here.

What's in a Back?

Sit and look at the tops of your own feet. Get comfortable and imagine the back of your body mirrored on your feet. The inner edge of both feet represents the spine. The imaginary guideline of the shoulder represents the shoulder. The two feet house all the bones and muscles of both the upper and lower back.

For this section, you are concerned only with the upper-back reflection. In this upper region of the foot are reflexes for the scapula, which is commonly known as the shoulder blade. The reflex points for the muscles that attach to this bone — the trapezius, the rhomboids, and the levator scapula — are reflected in this area as well. The reflex for the rib cage is also represented here.

Try the Technique

Now that you have a general idea of what is mirrored on the top surface of the foot, try the technique. Again you are working the right foot completely, and then you will work the left. The technique will be the same on the left foot.

The foot will rest comfortably as you position both hands on either side of the foot, at the thoracic region. Rest the thumbs on the plantar surface; they will provide leverage. Begin a slow, steady, even finger walk, all fingers moving together toward the center of the foot. This movement seems as though the fingers are crawling together. Imagine the foot is an accordion; you are playing the notes as your fingers move in between each long metatarsal bone. Keep finger walking until the fingers meet; the fingernails will actually click together, signaling that the fingers cannot move any farther.

Slowly walk the fingers back, letting the fingers inch backward. This is done exactly as it sounds. From the center, pull all the bent fingers back a bit, then straighten out the fingers slightly and then right back onto the tips again. Let the fingers drag slightly. Picture walking between the ribs as the fingers move across the bones.

You are not digging in here, nor are you applying pressure to this bony area. Instead you are inching back, holding, pressing, and inching back again. Continue this move until both hands reach the edges of the foot.

Full-Finger Walking on the Top

The fingers are resting on the sides of the foot, waiting for you to make the next move. Keeping the thumbs on the bottom of the foot, again for leverage, move all the fingers up to just under the toe neck. Tuck the fingers into the little shelf created by the joints that bend the toes in that region. The tips of the fingers are touching and the fingers are flexed, ready to move.

Using all of the fingers at once, slowly finger walk down the top surface of the foot, inching along. Keep an eye on the imaginary guideline. When the fingers reach the diaphragm line, stop. Hold the fingers here, apply light pressure, and with a slight side-to-side, squiggly motion, pull back to the base of the toes. Finger walk back down and repeat.

All of the upper-back reflexes receive attention with this two-part technique. Reflexology does promote circulation, and you have sent communication supporting the delivery of oxygen and blood to the back area of the body. If any congestion by toxic buildup is present, the reflexology will assist in releasing this tension.