SPA EXPERT
Advice, information and some helpful tips from a professional wellness therapist

The Power of Reflexology

Reflexology is a holistic therapy that works to bring the body into a state of balance or homeostasis. It works on the feet or hands. The foot or hand is divided into zones or reflex areas, and each zone corresponds to a different part of the body. Each part of the foot or hand maps to a specific organ or system.

Foot reflexology is more common than hand reflexology as the foot tends to be softer and therefore working the reflex points is more effective.

It is thought that reflexology is over 5,000 years old and was practiced in many countries, including ancient Egypt, India and China. It was not until the 20th century that the therapy was introduced to the west, firstly by Dr. William Fitzgerald who called it “zone therapy” and later by Eunice Ingham, regarded as the mother of reflexology. The zones resemble the meridians of energy used in acupuncture and acupressure.

Who benefits from reflexology?

Many people enjoy regular treatments for a variety of reasons. The process of having one’s feet massaged is incredibly relaxing and people can treat each session as a calming oasis, combating stress in their lives. 75% of disease is estimated to be stress-related so reflexology is an effective technique to use towards preventing the onset of illness. Circulation is stimulated during the session and this combined with relaxation helps the body to self-heal, increasing the efficiency of all organs and cells. Reflexology is suitable for all ages. Among other ailments it can help to treat headaches, sinusitis, digestive problems, insomnia, back pain and infertility.

What happens during a treatment?

Before the first treatment, the reflexologist will talk to the client. This is useful to determine what the client expects from the treatment, for example, relaxation or to treat a specific medical condition. The reflexologist can tailor the treatment to suit the client’s needs. This will also give the reflexologist the opportunity to explain some of the background and benefits of reflexology. The reflexologist will record the details on a consultation form.

A reflexology treatment typically takes 50-55 minutes. The client is resting, usually on a massage table, with just their feet exposed. The atmosphere is peaceful, usually accompanied by relaxing music and candles, and the client is encouraged to relax completely. The therapist works on the client’s feet. Clients feel the calming effect of a foot massage but the therapist is doing more than simple massage – he/she uses their hands to apply precise pressure techniques to the feet treating specific points which correspond to various organs and systems of the body.

Sometimes the client might experience slight tenderness which is an indication of possible blockages in the corresponding area of the body. In most cases the therapist can feel grittiness around particular reflexes but the client is unaware of this. In many instances the client sleeps throughout the entire treatment.

What happens after a treatment?

The reflexologist will outline any reflexes that appeared to be tender during the treatment. The client will be encouraged to increase their intake of water in the days after the treatment. This will help with detoxification as the treatment encourages the body to cleanse itself of toxins and residues, aiding in self-healing. Other advice given is determined by the tenderness detected and may include the avoidance of alcohol, taking of gentle exercise or a warm bath. The treatment is gentle but its effects can vary and the therapist will make the client aware of possible effects.

Initially a course of four weekly treatments is recommended to fully access the reflexes and stimulate the body’s self-healing. After the initial treatments some clients decide to visit their reflexologist on a regular basis while others use the treatment for specific ailments. For many people the results obtained during the initial four treatments are proof of the power of reflexology and it becomes a vital element in their health care.