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It takes skill and experience to practise reflexology, the art of therapeutic
foot massage, says Barbara Hobbs in British patent application 2 323 464. She
hopes to patent a pair of socks printed with codes which tell novice
reflexologists where to press, and which areas to leave alone if, say, the
patient is pregnant. The socks are mapped with coloured islands, each
representing one of the 11 shiatsu points which practitioners say match 11 key
body areas. Novices simply put the socks on a patient, and press where indicated
to address specific ailments.