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Is reflexology something new?
Not at all! Evidence shows that reflexology was practiced by ancient Egyptian physicians over 5000 years ago.
It is also believed that reflexology was an integral part of ancient Indian, European, North American Native and Oriental folklore healing practices.
Like many other recently revived forms of folklore knowledge, reflexology is a valuable contribution to the modern person's health care What can I expect in a reflexology session?
As the reflex areas of your feet, hands or ears are stimulated you may from time to time experience pin-prick-like sensations. These sensations result from sensitivity that frequently reflects the presence of tension in the corresponding part of the body.
If it is not comfortable for you, you should ask the person who is doing the reflexology to decrease the amount of pressure that they are using.
It is important that you are comfortable with the stimulation, as relaxation is the primary goal of reflexology, and you need to feel comfortable in order to relax in your session. Does reflexology diagnose?
NO. Reflexology identifies where stress and tension is located in the body. This can be a valuable assistance to the diagnosis process, but it is not sufficient by itself. If a reflexology recipient has identified other symptoms that coincide with the stress and tension identified by reflexology, and then they should consult a licensed health care provider such as a naturopathic doctor or a medical doctor for a diagnosis.
If a reflexology recipient is not aware of any other symptoms that corroborate with the stress and tension identified by reflexology, then the person should recognize that the stress and tension will be alleviated to some degree by reflexology stimulation. Therefore, to some extent their stress is being taken care of. It is their choice whether to continue receiving reflexology in order to alleviate the stress and tension, and/or whether to seek out other therapies to assist.
Reflexologists are not licensed health care providers and hence are legally not allowed to diagnose.
Does reflexology treat disease?
NO. Reflexologists do not work with a treatment orientation, rather they are oriented to revitalizing the whole body and hence supporting the body in it's own healing process. If reflexology does not treat disease, what can it do for me?
Reflexology is used primarily to relieve stress and tension and produce deep therapeutic relaxation.
Medical doctors agree that over three fourths of our health problems can be linked to nervous and physical tension. By reducing stress and tension, reflexology improves blood and lymph circulation, strengthens the functioning of the immune system, improves assimilation of nutrition and elimination of toxins, and calms the nervous system. In these ways, reflexology facilitates the body's natural healing processes and thereby enhances the body's health and vitality. If I don't believe in reflexology, will it still be effective?
YES. Reflexology relieves stress and tension and deeply relaxes people independent of their beliefs about it. Many very skeptical people have become strong advocates for reflexology after experiencing it. It is also quite possible that your belief in its effectiveness will enhance its benefits. Try it with an open mind and find out for yourself how you respond to reflexology. Each person has his or her own unique response. If I have a serious ailment, such as heart trouble, diabetes or cancer, can reflexology make my condition worse?
Absolutely not! Reflexology practised with common sense is completely safe. It simply relaxes the body, which allows it to function more effectively. The results can be amazing!!! If a health care provider such as a medical or naturopathic doctor is managing your condition, it is important that you discuss the consequences of any therapy (including reflexology) with this person before you commence treatment. This is particularly appropriate if your condition involves an organ transplant, an implanted device (pacemaker), or, is acute. Can reflexology do me any serious harm?
NO. Reflexology is essentially harmless.The therapeutic relaxation that reflexology produces facilitates the body's release of toxins. On very rare occasions this release of toxins may bring about perspiration, a nauseous feeling, a headache, or a bad taste in the mouth. These minor discomforts are evidence of the body's healing process, are very temporary and are not serious. Should you experience any discomfort after a reflexology session that is not temporary, then you should assume that its cause is independent of the reflexology and take the appropriate remedial actions.
Most people enjoy pleasant relaxed and/or energized feelings after a reflexology session. Where can I receive reflexology sessions?
FixinFeet Reflexology offers generous one-hour by appointment for those in the Dudley & Black Country Is it possible to practice reflexology on oneself?
YES. Needless to say, very few people feel that they derive the quality of benefit when they work on their own feet compared to receiving a session from another person. Stimulating the reflex areas of your hands is another alternative that for most people is a lot more convenient. What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is the technique of applying gentle pressure to the reflexes on the feet or hands in order to bring about a state of deep relaxation, stimulate the body's own healing processes and help the person to return to a state of balance and wellbeing. Systems in the body can easily be thrown out of balance by a wide variety of factors including prolonged illness, stress, long working hours and diet. The resulting imbalances prevent efficiency of vital body functions. These imbalances can be detected on the feet, where corresponding parts of the body can be identified, and pressure applied to specific reflexes to restore the body to a state of equilibrium.Early traces of reflexology date back 5,000 years to Egypt, China, India and Japan. The practice came to Europe during the Dark Ages and modern day reflexology has its roots in medical and neurological studies carried out in the late 1800s in the UK and Germany and later in the US. Why choose it?
Reflexology offers a safe, natural, non-invasive and effective solution to help relieve many conditions in a relaxing and supportive environment. It can act as a complement to standard medical treatment. A qualified reflexologist will also have been trained to help you identify lifestyle practices which may trigger recurring conditions, enabling you to treat the cause and not just the symptom. How does it work?
When we step on a sharp object, a sequence of reflex actions take place in our bodies. Muscles withdraw the foot and help to rebalance the body, adrenaline is released, and changes occur in the composition of our blood and the function of our internal organs. Reflexology works on a similar (but far less painful!) principle, stimulating the nervous system to invoke responses in the relevant parts of the body. What conditions can benefit from reflexology?
Reflexology helps relieve many conditions as well as aiding relaxation and inducing sleep - these include: • Stress/Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Lack of energy
• Poor cardiovascular or lymphatic circulation
• Imbalances in the nervous system
• Eating/Metabolic disorders
• Irritable bowel syndrome/Constipation
• Respiratory problems/Asthma
• Hay fever/Sinusitis
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Infertility
• Endometriosis
• Pre-menstrual tension (PMT)
• Menopausal symptoms
• Headaches/Migraines
• Back and shoulder pain/Sciatica
• Muscle strains
• Post-operative recovery Can anybody have reflexology treatments?
Reflexology is suitable for all ages and may help to relieve a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, as well as basic complaints. After completing a course of reflexology treatments for a specific condition, you may find it advantageous to continue with regular treatments to maintain your health and well-being. Many health care professionals now recognise reflexology as a well established, respected and effective therapy. What happens during a reflexology treatment?
During the first visit, you will be asked questions about your medical history and lifestyle. Then, after removing your shoes and socks, you will receive a treatment, wherein the reflexologist will apply pressure to a sequence of specific points whilst massaging your feet. You will, of course, be able to ask any questions before, during or after the treatment. Following a reflexology treatment most people feel relaxed, have a deep, refreshing night’s sleep and wake up feeling great. How long does a reflexology treatment take?
A reflexology treatment session usually lasts between 45 minutes to an hour. A course of treatments may be recommended depending on your body’s needs Can Reflexology make a condition worse?
Reflexology is a non-invasive, natural therapy. On rare occasions, release of toxins, as a result of the body's natural healing process, may result in temporary symptoms such as perspiration or headaches; however these symptoms are not directly related to Reflexology treatments, and should pass within a few hours. Can reflexology affect my medication?
As with many holistic and complementary therapies, reflexology treatments detoxify and rebalance the body and help to return it to its optimal functioning level, in some circumstances this may mean that your doctor may feel that your frequency or dose of medication may be reduced after a while. Please note, your reflexologist is not qualified to make any such changes without consulting your doctor.
How can reflexology treatments benefit my employees?
As recently shown on the BBC News and discussed on numerous documentaries, the C.B.I. now estimates that 25 million days per year are lost from productive activity because of people taking time off sick, at a cost of £2 billion to the economy. As well as sickness being unpleasant for the employee, sick days are costly to the company and also put extra stress and strain onto colleagues remaining in the office, who have to do others' work on top of their own.In addition to its many benefits, regular reflexology in the workplace has proven to be very effective for stress relief at work, whilst boosting the immune system and helping to detoxify the body. What is Reflexology?
The science that deals with the principle that there are reflex points on the hands and feet which correspond to all parts of the body’s glands, organs and structures. What are the benefits?
There are four main areas: - To increase blood and lymph flow
- To relieve stress and tension
- To promote nerve energy
- To help the body maintain a state of balance How much pressure should be used?
It depends …
- On the type of foot being treated
- On the sensitivity of the client being treated
- A heavy foot would need deep pressure
- A slim, delicate foot would need a light pressure
- A sick or frail person would need a light pressure
- A child would need light pressure
- A good guide for the reflexologist is to observe the client’s face Ask for feedback – this applies to both client and reflexologist How many treatments are necessary?
In this stressed world of ours, ideally the reflexologist would like to recommend six to eight treatments. However, one or two treatment can be found to be not only beneficial but financially realistic. The number of treatments and duration of each will depend on a number of factors. Health and wealth being key considerations in recommendations. How many treatments should be given in order to establish the effectiveness of Reflexology?
This is a difficult question to answer. However as a general guide, it is best not to continue treatment after the third or fourth treatment if the client is unable to report any changes. Does Reflexology hurt?
No. Reflexology should not hurt but some areas on the foot may feel tender or different, even a little uncomfortable (the reflexologist should adjust the pressure). What are your views on treating cancer patients?
Reflexology can be part of the core package a patient suffering with cancer receives and can be integrated into their orthodox treatment. It is recommended that the patient’s treatment centre is aware they are receiving reflexology, indeed many hospitals and hospices now offer reflexology to their patients.Chemotherapy patients will benefit from a full reflexology treatment one or two days prior to their treatment and a zone walk as soon as possible after the chemotherapy (same day preferably).All professionals considering working with cancer patients should undertake specific training prior to giving any treatment. What can you tell me about a corn on the foot?
Corns are patches of hard skin which become dense in the centre. They can cause intense pain, due to pressure. Corns are found most frequently on toes 1, 3 and 4 and appear as a result of pressure from footwear. This protective shield will indicate to the therapist a possible reflex disturbance in the zone/reflex. go to www.fixinfeet.co.uk to get them fixed! What can you tell me about a build up of hard skin?
The foot forms hard skin to protect it from rough surfaces. This can be a ridge on the sole of a shoe, walking around bare foot or the natural posture and stance of a particular person. Hard skin that is flexible poses little threat to reflex disturbances but the thick, horny, inflexible skin often found on the heel, ball of the foot and the edge of the big toe, can indicate energy blockages. Why is a consultation card necessary?
- To establish there are no contra indications to the treatment.
- To assess the client’s physical and mental state.
- To show a genuine interest and establish their expectations.
- To ensure that our therapy is holistic and meets clients’ needs.
- To ensure that we give the best possible treatment for each client.
- To establish that Reflexology is the most suitable treatment.
- To refer client to a reflexologist with the appropriate skills or to a medically qualified practitioner. Reflexology balances and revitalises. What do you mean?
Illness, stress, tension and fatigue can each have the effect of causing body disharmony (imbalance). Energy is wasted fighting the problem or struggling mentally with negative attitudes. Reflexology encourages the body’s own energy flow and as the body and mind regain their balance they can work more efficiently. Can you give us a little more information about treating children?
It is important to note that it is a legal requirement as well as an ethical obligation in children. Children can respond very well to Reflexology treatment. The therapist and parent need to bear in mind that the child can have similar reactions to the therapy as would an adult, so treatment pressure, pace and duration will be judged accordingly. I have been told that Reflexology is part of Aromatherapy. Is this true?
No! Some Aromatherapists do press on some Reflexology points in order to help them choose an oil for their aromatherapy treatment; but this cannot be classified as Reflexology. However fortunately this is becoming a practice less often performed by the well qualified Aromatherapist. Are all Beauty Therapists Reflexologists?
A. No. Beauty Therapists who hold qualifications to undertake face and body treatments will have studied anatomy, physiology and massage. However this does not qualify them as Reflexologists. Does the Reflexologist have to be insured?
All professional people should be insured. Do qualified reflexologists have to attend continuing professional development courses?
Yes, as part of maintaining professional memberships the Reflexologist is expected to demonstrate evidence of updating and improving their skills and to keep up to date with current developments in the field of Reflexology |
