Ingham (Western)
Ingham-lineage charts show the rectum at the medial end of the sigmoid area, on the plantar surface of the left heel.
Kept on the left foot because it continues the sigmoid colon.
Foot reflexology · zone 1, 2
Rectum and anus — Left foot
Placement
Location: In the Ingham-derived mapping, at the medial end of the sigmoid area on the sole of the left heel, toward the medial border.
Longitudinal zone(s): 1, 2 of 5
Side: left foot
Tradition: Ingham (Western)
How other schools place it
Shared across schools
Many charts additionally, or instead, show a rectum/haemorrhoid line running up the inside of the Achilles tendon on BOTH feet above the heel.
Schools differ over whether the plantar area, the Achilles line, or both together are the rectum reflex.
Traditional use
Traditionally worked at the very end of the colon sequence.
Reflexology is a traditional practice, not an evidence-based medical treatment. Systematic reviews have not shown it to be effective for any medical condition. These maps document what practitioners traditionally use — they are not claims about how the body works.
Care and caution
Rectal bleeding or a persistent change in bowel habit needs medical assessment; conventional practice is to refer rather than to work the area.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the rectum and anus reflex area on the foot?
In the Ingham-derived mapping, at the medial end of the sigmoid area on the sole of the left heel, toward the medial border.
Which tradition does this placement come from?
Ingham (Western). Other schools place this area differently; the variants are documented on this page.
Does pressing this area treat the organ it is named after?
No. Reflexology maps are traditional diagrams, not descriptions of anatomy or physiology. Systematic reviews have not found reflexology to be an effective treatment for any medical condition.
Is there anything to be careful about?
Rectal bleeding or a persistent change in bowel habit needs medical assessment; conventional practice is to refer rather than to work the area.
Sources
References displayed on this page were recorded with the point dataset.
- Eunice D. Ingham, "Stories the Feet Can Tell Thru Reflexology" (1938) and "Stories the Feet Have Told Thru Reflexology" (1951) Ingham original foot charts, plantar view
- Barbara and Kevin Kunz, "Complete Reflexology for Life" Foot reflex charts, plantar and dorsal views
- Wikipedia, "Reflexology" Zone-therapy framework; documents that published reflexology maps are not consistent with one another