Hi SMP
As requested by you:
The idea that crystals talked about by reflexologists are actually fibrotic adhesions has been investigated. An article was published several years ago in Reflexions: the Journal of the Association of Reflexologists , about research conducted in the USA to look at the claim of crystals felt during palpation of the feet. The conclusion was that it was fibrotic adhesions being felt. This is also is partly back up on by the TV programme on BBC2 two years ago by Prof. Cathy Sykes. She was investigating the claims of reflexologists. She asked an anatomist about crystals in the feet, the anatomist replied there werent any crystals apart from situations like gout where there would be uric acid deposits, and of course this would be very painful if touched. The problem is SMP that methods like reflexology was developing >100 years ago when A&P wasnt so understood.
The principle of the holographic effect or the feet being the microcosm of the macrocosm, is an idea that has been around for 1000s of years. Kristine Walker in her book Hand Reflexology on pages 8&9 has good examples of this principle. She says If the microcosm reflects the macrocosm, then each cell will contain the common pattern and the information about the whole body would be reflected therein. Stimulation of the cell or group of cells will bring about change elsewhere.
Then of course there is the Chinese acupuncture meridian system. There have been several books written on the subject of Chinese meridians and reflexology. I personally think these meridians have a big input on reflexology, as it makes more clinical sense than the crude idea that the body is split into 10 longitudinal zones. If you are interested you may wish to read books by Inge Dougans & Beryl Crane.
This leads me to Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians. Modern anatomy knowledge suggests that the body has a series of interlinked trains of connective tissue throughout the body. This acts like a secondary nervous system. For the reflexologist, these myofascial meridians do connect the whole body to the feet and hands. I refer you to Anatomy Trains by Tom Myers or chapter 8 written by Myers in The Concise Book of the Moving Body by Chris Jarmey.
This takes me further to the subject of bio-mechanics, there is plenty written about this. Beryl Crane in Reflexology: an illustrated guide explains this well on page 44: Poor biomechanics of the feet, whether caused be hereditary defeats, bad habits, resulting from poor choice of footwear, incorrect posture, or as an effect of falls and other accidents, ultimately are reflected in spinal distortions and are frequently accompanied by nerve irritations as high as the head and imbalances in body systems.
Best Wishes
RP