I. Concept of the Whole Body Reflex Zones Since the reflex arcs are the basis of the meridians, we proposed that the principle of reflex can be applied extensively for explaining the whole theory of the meridian system. The first application is using the concept of reflex zones instead of the meridians. The classical theory of the meridians has been accepted for a long time, but in clinical practice there are still many unresolved important problems. One of them is whether the meridian is really a line or whether the acupoint is a spot. According to clinical experience reported, the majority of acupoints are not strictly located at invariable sites of the classical meridians and may vary slightly from individual to individual or at different time in the same patients. In fact, any acupoint is a small area and the meridians connecting the acupoints are also in the shape of band. This can explain why some new acupoints with the same functions, discovered by recent practitioners, lodge at the area surrounding the classical point. For example, several new acupoints around ST36 (Zusanli) such as Wanli (EX-LE), Liwai (EX-LE), and Zuerliban (EX-LE) have the same function as ST36. Based on the theory the point is a small area rather than a site, these new acupoints might be merely variations of ST36. Another challenge to the classical meridian theory is that not all the acupoints at the same meridian have the same functions treating the corresponding internal organ. In fact, many acupoints located in the different meridians can often be selected to treat the same disease. And many new acupoints discovered by recent practitioners do not lodge at any known meridians. By sorting the functions of the majority of the acupoints, we have recognised that many acupoints with similar functions arrange closely at some areas or zones. In other words, the points reflecting definite organs are generally distributed on some definite body surface areas, with definite shapes. We define such areas as the body reflex zones. Obviously, the concept of the body reflex zones is clearer and more scientific than the meridians to define their essence as the message pathways and the reciprocal reflection between the different parts of the body. In the Western medicine, so-called referred pain resulting from some suffering organs and its distribution on the body surface (Head-Mckenzie sensory zones) were similarly recognized as the results of reflexes. However, the body reflex zones have much more and further description about the phenomena than Head-Mckenzie zones, and can be used to treat disorders of the suffering organs. For example, not only the referred pain of right shoulder and the passive tenderness at about Tianzong or Yanglinquan upon a finger tip pressure could be exhibited as accompanied signs of cholecystopathy, but also stimulating these points by massage or acupuncture manipulations could cure or relieve the patients more effectively than stimulation at other points with no tenderness. In the following, we will discuss further the various advantages of using the body reflex zones instead of the meridians or the Head-Mckenzie's zones.. II. Clinical Perspective of the Whole Body Reflexology The whole body reflexology has very important theoretical significance and extensive clinical applications as follows. 1) Refine the ancient theory of the meridian system As the guiding principles of acupuncture therapy, the classical meridian theory has been accepted for a long time. However, it is still unclear what is the essence of the meridians. In addition, there are many important clinical problems unresolved with the classical theory, such as: Why can a single acupoint be often selected to treat two or more kinds of diseases of either motor organs or viscera? Why may different acupoints be often selected to treat a same disease? What are the mechanisms for the principles describing as "treating the left diseases from the right" or "treating the right diseases from the left" ? How do we take the exact place of an acupoint for the optimal effects? Why can stimuli at some acupoints cause conducted sensation, but can not for others? The body reflexology can clarify almost all of the unresolved secrets about the meridian system. First of all, it reveals that the essential of the classical meridian system is a multiple and complicated reflex system. The formation of the meridians is a phenomenon based on reflex arcs between the interior and exterior parts of the body. Furthermore, these reflexes are regular and reciprocal. The regular reflexes form the regular reflex zones which was recognized as the course of the meridian in ancient time. The reciprocal actions mean that not only those meridian phenomena can be used to help diagnose the internal states of the body, but also stimulating at those reflex zones or reflex points can input treatment signals to regulate that other terminal of the involved reflex arc, i.e., treat disorders of the corresponding parts of the body. By application of the theory of the body reflexology, the ancient meridian theory become more scientific and may be easier to merge into mainstream of the modern medicine. 2) Broaden and refresh the classical reflexology The concept of classical reflexology was introduced and developed with "zone therapy" on the small area, such as feet, hands, and ears. It is based on the belief that there are zones and reflexes in these areas of the body which correspond to and are relative to other parts, glands and organs of the body. Stimulating , mostly massage to these reflexes properly can help many health problems. However, the existing reflex zones are not limited to these zones on the small areas, in fact, they can exist on the whole surface of the body according the novel theory of the body reflexology. In the body reflexology, the three types of reflex zones on the whole body are derived the meridian system that have been practiced for thousands of years. They are more popular and more effective to be applied than the reflex zones on the feet or hands. Owing to that the hands and feet are often stimulated by hand activities and walking in the daily life, the reflex zones at those areas become less effective than at other area of the body. Otherwise, even the stimulation from daily activities could break down the homeostasis of the corresponding organs. Among the small areas, only ear reflex zones are very effective so that it is more recognized and accepted. Now, the revised body meridian system is combined with the reflexology so that we can compare and re-evaluate completely the effectiveness of the reflex zones at different areas of the body. In addition, the form of stimulation can be extended from massage to any type of manipulations, such as acupuncture, moxibustion, electric stimulation, etc. In short, the classical reflexology with a narrow sense has been broadened and refreshed completely. 3) Integrate the diversified modalities into a unity Most of clinical modalities in the field of bodywork, including acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, massage, classical reflexology, rolfing, reiki, physical therapy, chiropractic, etc. belong to the category of the body reflexology. Whether their therapeutic purpose is structural integration or functional regulation, their therapeutic means are very close. The main differences between them are using different stimulating methods with different types of energy, or different manipulations and focused on the different parts or areas of the body. When the relationship between the body surface and other parts of the body is recognized as the reflexes, it is time to integrate all of those modalities into a unity. For example, chiropractic and rolfing focused on the spinal vertebrae and surrounding areas may be stimulating the central zones and visceral zones of the body back, in addition to adjusting imbalance of the local tissues. This is why they also can treat many other disorders besides the spinal vertebrae. The classical physical therapy usually is working on the local somatic zones. Massage has various styles, such as Chinese, Swedish or Roman massage, which stimulate the different depth of the somatic zones with different manipulations at the various locations, such as the trigger points, craniosacral, neuromuscular, or deep tissues. 4) Enhance the therapeutic effectiveness Under direction of the body reflexology theory, the therapeutic effectiveness of the modalities can be greatly enhanced, because it has the following applications at least: (1) Clarify and sort out the efficacy of the acupoints The theory can clarify and sort out the real efficacy of every stimulating point or zone. It is very helpful to learn or keep the majority of them in mind. (2) Locate and match the stimulating points exactly It would be much easier to select exact stimulating points, including the master points and the assistant points, with the optimal therapeutic effects quickly. For example, when doing acupuncture, one should choose the reflex spots manifesting hypersensitivity as the master and/or assistant points by careful examination on the body surface rather than only depend on previous experience. One should stimulate the centre of the spot instead of the classical sites of acupoints measured. Owing to that any acupoint is a small area, and the meridians connecting the acupoints are also in the shape of a band. So the key to taking an exact acupoint with the best therapeutic effects is to find a sensitive site reflecting abnormalities of corresponding organs which can be but not limited at classical courses of the meridians or around them. (3) Control the suitable depth and angle of stimulation Considering the overlapping of the reflex zones, each of the reflex points may have different depth or several layers with different depth. It is necessary to have suitable stimulating depth for every point in order to obtain the best therapeutic effects for special organs. Sometimes, the different depth stimulating at the same point might be needed for treating the diseases of different organs. This can explain why more and more types of deep tissue massage have been developed. Usually, it is a good indicator for the patient to have a conducted sensation even reaching the suffered organ during needling or deep massage manipulation. (4) Take the shortest way to shorten the treatment course Owing to the probably shortest way between the reflex points and the suffered organ, it is not surprising that stimuli at the reflex points can enhance the therapeutic effectiveness, even for some diseases which stimuli at the classical acupoints could not. For example, when the referred pain of right shoulder and the passive tenderness at about SI11 (Tianzong) or GB34 (Yanglinquan) upon a finger tip pressure could be detected as accompanied signs of cholecystopathy, stimulating these reflex points could cure or relieve the patients more effectively than stimulation at other points with no tenderness. In other words, the points with best therapeutic effects are those reflex points connected with the corresponding organs. Therefore, stimulating at the reflex points or zones often can shorten the treatment course. For instance: Case 1, male , 46 years old, had sudden onset of right neurogenic deafness for 15 days. A hardened spot corresponding right TE17 (Yifeng) was found. He was cured upon one needling at the reflection site following a striking needling sensation. Case 2, female, 25 years old, had acute postpartum retention of urine for 3 days. She was cured by one session of massage and taking moxibustion at SP6 (Sanyinjiao), ST28 (Shuidao), and BL54 (Zhibian) with hypersensitivity upon a finger touch. Case 3, female, 45 years old, had chronic asthma for long time. The onset could be controlled by only applying a patch with Chinese herbs to the bilateral BL13 (Feishu) with hypersensitivity.

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