The term somatotopy refers to the projection of the whole body onto specific regions of the latter.

It was popularised in orthodox medicine (Penfield’s Homunculus), which describes the projection of the whole body in a certain region of the brain.

In acupuncture the ear and the hand (Korean acupuncture) among others are known to reflect the entire organism. The reflex zones on the surfaces of our hands (palms) and feet (soles) can be regarded as being somatotopic. Problems occurring in the body are also reflected in the corresponding somatotopic points/zones. Such signs are often tenderness, swelling or other changes of the related zone and suggest to the therapist that they should be attended to.

The Institut Wolkenstein offers reflex zone massages of the feet as a holistic therapy either individually or in combination with a classic massage.