Athlete’s foot from a Reflexology point of view

According to the TheFreeDictionary's Medical dictionary , athlete’s foot is “a common fungus infection between the toes in which the skin becomes itchy and sore, cracking and peeling away. Athlete's foot (also known as tinea pedis or foot ringworm) can be treated, but it can be tenacious and difficult to clear up completely.”

Athlete’s foot can affect any area of the foot but it is mainly found between the fourth and fifth toes and sometimes between the third and fourth toes. In this post, I will discuss the meaning of Athletes’ foot at these two sites on the foot from a Reflexology point of view.

When Athlete’s foot presents in between the fourth and fifth toes (the most common site it occurs), it can be indicative of congestion or an imbalance in the bladder meridian which ends on the outer edge of the back of the little toe. This meridian starts at the inner corner of the eye, travels up over the top of the head, down the back into the legs and finishing at the little toe. An imbalance in the bladder meridian can also cause weak joints of the feet and ankles, various toe conditions including pigeon toe, bent toes and athlete’s foot as already discussed; painful, tight calf muscles; leg cramps and varicose veins; haemorrhoids; sciatica, back pain, neck tension, and stiffness; and headaches and eye problems.

When Athlete’s foot occurs in between the third and fourth toes it can be an indication of an imbalance in the gall bladder meridian which ends on the back of the fourth toe. Like the bladder meridian, the gall bladder meridian starts at the eye but in this case on the outer edge, and travels across the temples and down to the shoulders, then goes down the length of the body through the legs and ending on the fourth toe. Congestion along the gall bladder can also cause other foot problems such as corns and hammertoes on the fourth toe in particular; knee problems; skin conditions along the course of the meridian including eczema, psoriasis, and varicose veins; pain in the hip, groin, and shoulder areas; asthma; migraines, headaches and eye problems.

The reflex points at which Athlete’s foot appears are the ear, Eustachian tube, and upper lymphatics.

As athlete’s foot is contra-indicated for Reflexology, the area around it should be avoided. It is very important to minimise the risk of spreading the condition so wash your hands thoroughly after treating the feet.

I would work on the bladder, kidneys, adrenals, liver, and gall bladder reflexes to help balance the affected meridians – all of which are located far from the site of the Athlete’s foot.

Tea tree essential oil is extremely good at getting rid of Athlete’s foot. More information on Tea Tree can be found in the Essential Oil of the Week – Tea tree post.