Reflexology

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a therapeutic treatment that aims to rebalance the body through the stimulation of specific points, or reflexes, on the feet. The feet act as a microcosm of the body with the whole body being mapped on them. By stimulating the reflexes, a response is elicited in the corresponding body part. During a treatment the practitioner can establish which parts of the body are congested or out of balance and therefore not working as efficiently as they could be. Treatment can then be given to correct these imbalances, triggering the body’s own healing mechanisms and thus allowing it to restore its own balance.

History of Reflexology

The feet have been seen as a gateway to healing the body for centuries; evidence of the therapeutic treatment of the feet has been found from as far back as 3000BC. Several ancient cultures recognised the importance of feet in one’s health and thus forms of foot therapy have been discovered all over the world, from Ancient Egypt, India, China and Japan to the Navaho of North America and mediæval Europe. Reflexology is a modern western technique for treating the feet. It was developed in the 1930’s by American physiotherapist Eunice Ingham who followed on from the work of Dr. William Fitzgerald. He had used pressure points on the feet to relieve pain in other parts of the body in the 1910’s. Doreen Bayley brought the therapy to Britain in the 1960’s and it has increased in popularity ever since.

What can Reflexology treat?

The philosophy behind reflexology, as in many complementary therapies, is that illness is a result of blockages in the flow of essential energy around the body. These blockages can follow illness, stress, injury or disease, causing a state of imbalance in the body. The body however has the ability to heal itself. By stimulating the reflexes on the feet, reflexology helps the body to release these blockages and find its natural equilibrium. Since reflexology treats the whole person, not the symptoms of disease, most people benefit from treatment. The therapy brings relief to a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, and is suitable for all ages. There is no claim to cure, as it is ultimately the client that heals him/herself. However, reflexology has a history of good results in treating many conditions. My most extensive experience is in treating the following areas although this list is by no means exhaustive of the conditions that reflexology can benefit:

Stress related conditions:

• Insomnia
• IBS and other digestive disorders
• Emotional stress and anxiety
• Headaches
• Fatigue

Hormonal balance:

• Irregular and painful periods
• Pre-menstrual symptoms
• Maintaining a healthy pregnancy & preparing for birth
• Menopause associated problems

Muscular-skeletal problems:

• Neck and shoulder pain
• Back pain
• Sports/accidental injuries
• Joint pain, such as in arthritis

Cancer:

• Healing after surgery
• Side effects of chemotherapy/radiotherapy
• Anxiety/emotional stress
• Improved energy

Please note that reflexology is as effective for children as it is for adults. If you wish your child to receive treatment, please contact me for further details.

What happens in a treatment?

Sessions usually last one hour, although longer ones are available if requested. Since Reflexology is an holistic therapy, a case history is taken at the first meeting in order to determine the best approach to treatment. You will be asked about your medical background, current health and lifestyle. All you will then need to do is bare your feet, lie back and relax! The treatment itself is usually relaxing and consists of a variety of techniques applied by thumbs and fingertips to reflex points over the feet and ankles. Some cream is usually applied as a lubricant. You may find that some points are tender or have a strange sensation, but nothing should be excessively painful.

How will Reflexology affect me?

Every person is an individual and therefore their response to reflexology is individual. However there are some generalisations that can be made. Ideally after a treatment it is best to have nothing major planned and to be able to relax for an hour or two. You may feel light and floaty, need to sleep or be ‘spaced out’. You may find you need more sleep and food for a couple of days as the body demands what it needs to heal. The body also purges itself of waste and toxins with increased elimination/urination, and for this reason it is important to drink lots of water and if possible to avoid toxins such as caffeine and alcohol.
Sometimes after treatments, while the body is rebalancing itself you may experience a temporary worsening of your symptoms or find that you experience emotional purging such as anger or tears. Such reactions are known as a healing crisis and should not last more than 24 hours. If you find the effects too strong then the next treatment can be adjusted accordingly to prevent that happening again. These are perfectly healthy reactions however, and a good sign that your body is healing itself. Following initial reactions, clients often feel increased energy with mental calm and clarity.

How often should I have Reflexology?

There are no prescribed limitations on how often you should have a treatment. It will depend on how long term the conditions are that you want treated and how quickly you respond. The body will take what it needs from a treatment to start the healing process. Sometimes there are emotional blocks behind a physical condition and that may slow the response one has. The more clients work with the treatment the quicker the healing is. As a rule of thumb (pardon the pun!) I usually suggest that people have a course of 4 treatments on a once weekly basis and then assess how much progress has been made. On average, it takes about a month’s worth of treatment for every year you have had the problem, although after the initial weekly treatments you may find it sufficient to come once a fortnight or monthly. Once the main conditions have been rectified, many people like to continue treatment in order to help maintain their health and well-being, particularly if certain lifestyle factors remain – such as a highly pressured career or family demands. It is a good way of keeping on touch with your body as often a problem shows on the feet before it manifests in the body.

Are there any reasons why I cannot have a treatment?

As with all therapies, there are a few contra-indications, or reasons why a treatment should not be given. As a basic guide, if you are suffering from a fever your body is already in a healing process and therefore no further treatment should be given. If your feet are severely infected or there is a lot of broken skin, I will be unable to treat. If you are under the influence of alcohol or narcotics I will not treat. However in most cases, you should simply advise me of any medical condition you have, drugs you are prescribed or if you are pregnant and the treatment will be adjusted to suit.

Reflexology Video