Reflexology – The Benefits!

“Reflexology is a non-intrusive complementary health therapy, based on the theory that different points of the feet, lower leg, hands, face or ears correspond with different areas of the body. Reflexologists work holistically with their clients and aim to work alongside allopathic healthcare to promote better health for their clients”.

The Association of Reflexology

Reflexology! My baby! The love of my life. Reflexology never ceases to amaze me after all these years of treating Clients. Much to my Mother’s disgust I LOVE Feet! They completely fascinate me. If I was to have photos of all my clients feet I would instantly know who those feet belonged to. I invest so much time healing their bodies through their feet, I actually feel they belong to me! In fact some of my clients do feel the wrath of my tongue when they haven’t been looking after their precious feet properly!

Most people hate their feet, I have no idea why. They are such an important part of your body. Feet are used more than hands, yet they are the least looked after!  We squeeze them in to tight/small stiletto heels, we slop about in completely flat flip flops with no support at all, using our toes to keep the flip flops on. The ballet pump shoes and flat soled plimsoll type shoes are horrendous for lack of support for the feet, heels, and ankles! Most of the time those feet will continue to keep us on our feet, enable us to plod on with our lives and we tend to ignore them.

I however, worship your feet. They tell us Reflexologists so much, not just from what we “feel” in the feet but in the way they look as well. High arches, low arches, how they lay when they are relaxed, toes up, one foot falls on it’s side, both feet turn inwards, the middle toe is longer than the big toe, the little toe looks like it has just been stuck on like a piece of plasticine, webbed toes? (More common than you think). It all means something in the world of Reflexology!

The way I describe Reflexology is simply,  “The whole body is mirrored in miniature in the feet!” As Therapists we can feel imbalances, this can feel like grains of sand or even bubble wrap under the skin. These imbalances are caused by a build up of toxins, removing those grains help alleviate the related problem in the body. As a client that area of the foot may feel tender or even painful. Although the treatment I give is a relatively firm pressure I like to give a relaxing treatment. I don’t want a kick in the face because I have hurt you!

We also work on the meridian lines which is why if you suffer with headaches we might notice the kidney Reflex is imbalanced. The kidney point is in the same meridian as the head (big toe). You will probably get a recommendation to drink more water!

It is also important after any Holistic Treatment that has encouraged toxin removal is to drink plenty of fluids. Those toxins need to make their way to the lymph nodes so they can be expelled by the body. Drinking plenty of water will flush out the kidneys and you can wee out the toxins. If you remain dehydrated those toxins will remain in the body.

The idea of Reflexology, in fact any Holistic Treatment is to treat the cause rather than just the symptoms. Yes you can take painkillers for headaches but why are you getting headaches? Do you really want your child to have a Grommet operation, put them through an anaesthetic when a course of Reflexology may just help. It might not but I have had real success with grommets, ADHD, chronic ear infections in children. Children also suffer with a lot of tummy aches. They don’t need calpol, they might have a fear of going to school, anxious about leaving Mummy or Daddy. They may not even know what the problem is but send them to me and I will do my best to sort them out! I do not like to fail and I do not like to brag but I have had huge success with unsettled Children!

I do a lot of Reflexology  with Cancer patients, ME, Motor neurone disease, Migraines and Multiple Sclerosis Patients. The majority of these Clients respond so well to Reflexology. Fertility problems,  Pregnancy, Depression, Chronic Pain, Panic Attacks, Bereavement, Fluid Retention, Menstrual pains and Pre-menstrual Tension.

Pregnant woman who are full term enjoy a Reflexology treatment in the hope that baby wants to make its way into the world! I would like to say I have had quite a bit of  success in bringing on labour but am also a firm believer that nature will takes its course!!

MS clients enjoy Reflexology, it can help alleviate their depression, encourage sleep and relaxation. Alleviate chronic and nerve pain and also improve mobility and speed up recovery from a relapse.

There are very few reasons why a Reflexology treatment cannot be performed, we always need to ask a few questions and have a look at the feet. Some medication, especially steroids and other drugs can cause the skin to become quite papery or the Client may have severe oedema (fluid build up in feet and legs). If it is too severe we may treat the hands or ask for the GP to confirm that we can go ahead with the treatment. Diabetes patients can really suffer with their feet so I am always very careful when treating diabetics.

I have had one client who had had one leg amputated. I ASSUMED that I would treat one foot and the opposite hand! No! He wanted both feet doing. I did a Reflexology treatment on a foot that was not there and this Client could “feel” everything! It was amazing!

There is nothing more fulfilling when Clients tell me I have helped them change their life, when they walk in using two sticks and after several treatments walk out with no sticks. When a client who had struggled for years with chronic back pain and the first Reflexology treatment I gave her was in her wheel chair, 6 months later completed a 13 mile walk. It took her 6 hours but she walked all the way! Or when a client’s waters break 20 minutes after finishing a Reflexology Treatment. Or a client who I had to treat in her home because she was agoraphobic and suffered with panic attacks now comes to my house for a treatment!

Mmmm! I do have a great job!

Reflexology Treatment: £30. For the Month of June £25.