Our feet may have more than 70 points with different indications

BEING a self confessed shopaholic, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is certainly one of the spots not to be missed but each time I happen to be in the area, eager promoters from the rows of reflexology centres would appear without fail to coax me into trying it out.

Every time they come to ask me if I need foot reflexology, I would shake my head and walk straight into an adjacent shopping centre, all because I thought it was a "thing’’ more suitable for the elderly. Thinking that my friends would all probably laugh their heads off, I thought I would put a foot massage aside until I really needed it. Like if I ever had to play football and sprained my foot, then it would be appropriate to visit and not get laughed at.

It wasn’t until I was asked recently if I had ever tried getting a foot reflexology treatment that I went around asking my colleagues if they had ever tried it. To my surprise, most of them had and they enjoyed it too.

Last weekend, I tagged along with a colleague to get my feet massaged for the first time at Happy Feet Foot Reflexology centre. The dimly lit room accommodated more than 20 reclining chairs and I took a corner seat next to my colleague.

The foot reflexologist assigned to massage my feet then came with warm towels and a tray of foot powder, lotion and oils.

My feet were cleaned with the warm towels before Fung Tow Lan wrapped my right foot with a towel and began spreading lotion on my left foot.

At first, I felt ticklish when the massaging lotion was evenly spread on my foot. He then began rubbing the sole of my foot and when it came to certain points, it was extremely painful and Fung glanced at me and asked, "You have a sweet tooth, right?" I could only nod in agreement as I thought of my fondness for cakes and pastries. But how did he know?

He explained that there were certain formations on the foot soles, which can be felt when he massaged it that indicated the conditions of one’s health.

"We are not doctors but we are like messengers telling our customers which area of their body that they should pay more attention to," said the 57-year-old.

He advised me on the dangers of diabetes and how I could prevent it at a young age.
The massage went on to my toes which he said I was a person who had enough sleep which he thought was a good sign.

I also did not tell Fung that I was down with flu but he managed to find out that my nose was giving me some problems and that I should take more fruits.

Besides that, Fung, who is a keen student of Chinese herbs, also gave advice on what herbs I could try. For instance, he recommended a cup of warm water with red dates as an excellent source of vitamin C. Fung moved on to the next foot before ending 30mins later. Both my feet were then brushed with powder to prevent them from being too oily.

I realized most of what Fung said was true. Our feet may have more than 70 points with different indications while most of us do not even know that it could actually foretell our health conditions quite accurately.

Fung, who has been in the industry for eight years, said that a session of foot massage was equivalent to an hour of exercise and it is also good for blood circulation.

He also added that it was not only meant for the elderly or athletes but his customers ranged from school-going children as it helps them to de-stress as well. "Children would often come for a foot reflexology especially during the school examination period as it helps them to relax," laughs Fung.

After the foot massage, Fung said that it is advisable to drink a cup of lukewarm water to detoxify ones body. At least for now, I know that I would be cutting down on my sugar intake for sure.