A complimentary health treatment that is non invasive, (The client does not need to undress, only remove socks and shoes) it is a safe, natural therapy and has a way of relaxing, balancing and harmonizing the body. Reflexology is very effective while being pleasurable and relaxing, that is increasing in popularity.

• As a diagnostic tool, and as a method of treatment 

Reflexology uses a Holistic approach i.e.: - treats the whole person not just the symptoms.  It stimulates the body’s natural healing powers and many have found it an effective way to recoup lost energy, a major role in attaining and maintaining health. 

Reflexology is a specific pressure technique. By using finger and thumb pressure on precise reflex points on both feet, it is able to alleviate tension and promote relaxation.

Feet are a map of the whole body – Big toes are the head and the body is mapped out with major organs etc., on the feet, as they would be on the body. 

The foot and hand contains reflex areas that correspond to a part of the body, so every part of the body can be reached. 

Reflexology is over 5000 years old

The earliest evidence of Reflexology was found as drawings in the tomb of a physician named Ankm’ahor at Saqqara in Egypt dating from around 2500BC 

The drawings show practitioners massaging their patient’s hands and feet 

Recent evidence has shown that Native American folk medicine also used a form of foot massage as a healing aid.

Reflexology acts as a complement to all forms of standard medical treatment in a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.           

There is as yet no unified theory as to how Reflexology works.  However, its effects are likely to involve some or all of the following processes: 

• Deep muscle relaxation and relief of tension and stress
• An improvement to cardiovascular and lymphatic circulation
• Stimulation and inhibition of the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain particularly those involving the autonomic nervous system
• The reduction of pain through gate control and stimulation of the endorphins
• Stimulation of the process of proprioception and adaptive changes in other systems
• Stimulation of key points on the acupuncture meridians
• Effects on the body’s electromagnetic field
• The benefits of an hour’s rest, stillness and quiet
• The psychological benefits of an hour’s personal attention and care

The therapy is particularly useful for:

• Long-term chronic cases
• Clients who “don’t like taking pills”
• Cases involving stress or tension
• Clients who need more support than can be given within the constraints of normal consultation times.
• Clients who produce symptoms for which there appears to be no underlying pathology.

Who can Benefit?

Experience has shown Reflexology to be particularly helpful in the following areas:

• Conditions involving poor cardiovascular or lymphatic circulation
• Stress related conditions
• Musculo-skeletal pain (backache, stiff neck, frozen shoulder)
• Hypertension
• Asthma and other respiratory problems
• Headaches and migraine
• Sinus problems
• Bowel disorders (constipation and IBS)
• Menstrual irregularities, PMT, menopausal symptoms
• Post - operative recovery and Care of the terminally ill
• Help those who suffer from Insomnia

• Normalising high blood pressure
• Increase in white blood cell count
• Increase in haemoglobin levels
• Increased blood flow to the brain in a study of women with migraine
• Improvement in blood sugar levels of diabetic patients
• Improvement in peak flow levels amongst asthmatics
• Relief of chronic constipation and related problems

Reduction of anxiety/depression amongst a group of patients in a geriatric unit

Work in Mexico, U.S.A and S. Africa with children suffering from mental retardation, Cerebral palsy, Autism, and perceptual and emotional problems.  

They showed improvement across a range of parameters including: -

• Hyperactivity reduced
• Behavioural problems
• Increased Concentration and Memory
• Improvements to Socialisation, responsiveness, sensory integration, together with digestion and eating habits. 

Recent Reports to Validate Reflexology 

A Study in Denmark of 116 patients presenting with a range of 15 conditions resulted in 75% of those treated with Reflexology reporting primary benefits and 63% reporting secondary benefits. 

A large Post Office in Denmark which has employed a full time Reflexologist since 1990 reports a saving of around £100,000 a year due to a reduction in sickness and absenteeism of 13.3% 

A Doctor’s study of 64 pregnant women within a G.P’s practice showed a range of effects, including a significantly reduced labour time for all those receiving reflexology

Further studies in Ireland and UK of Reflexology and pregnancy have shown great results of less disorders and complications while receiving regular treatments throughout pregnancy. 

A study (Published in Obstetrics & Gynaecology) of women suffering from severe P.M.T showed a significant reduction in symptoms amongst those treated with reflexology. 

A Study of patients in a Trauma Unit at the Prince of Wales Orthopaedic Hospital Cardiff showed that those who received reflexology went home, on average, 3-5 days earlier than others.                  

A follow-up study of knee replacement patients is now underway. 

*A file of Research Reports is available from the Association of Reflexologists at a cost of £5

• Inform your therapist if you are on any medication
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid eating a heavy meal before a Reflexology treatment
• First treatment includes a consultation and will take approx 1-½ hours including medical history.

Normal sessions thereafter take approx one hour. Treatment is given on a treatment bed or sat in a chair with feet up on a stool. It is a non-invasive treatment so client will only need take off shoes and socks. 

Reflexologist will decide which advanced technique will best suit your needs for a quick recovery and put a package together with the option of recommendations for nutrition, diet, hair analysis and emotional / stress relief.  

After Treatment: -

• Your treatment will have encouraged your body to eliminated toxins and poisons 
• Drink plenty of still water over the next 24 hours 
• Drink filtered or bottled **non fizzy water 6-8 glasses minimum
• If water is not taken it may cause a headache 
• Some clients feel sleepy after treatment.  Rest and look after yourself for a short time after treatment. 

How Many Treatments?

Most forms of disease will have been building up over a period of time.  It is therefore unrealistic to expect an instantaneous improvement.  

Every client is different, so it is not possible to predict the exact number of sessions required.

Serious diseases usually take longer to treat than minor ones.

Chronic disorders that have been present for a long time again usually take longer than those have been present as short time.

Older people sometimes take longer than younger people. 

For all disorders a course of treatment is recommended even if the symptoms appear to go after the first treatment.

A course of treatment will help to balance the body’s systems that in turn will help to prevent a recurrence of the disorder. 

For the majority of disorders a course of six to eight weekly sessions is recommended.  Usually some sort of improvement should occur after about three sessions.

There are few people who do not benefit in some way from Reflexology. Even if the disorder is not completely cured, the people often feel more relaxed or better in themselves.           

REACTION FOLLOWING TREATMENT  

Once the treatment has finished the client should feel relaxed and perhaps warmer, because of the blood circulation has been stimulated. 

Sometimes however, the client may feel cold – this is because of the toxins leaving the body 

People are often surprised during and after the treatment that stimulating the reflex points on the feet can have such a dramatic effect across the body.

They often feel sleepy, calmer and relaxed, leaving the person with a heightened feeling of well-being 

Common reactions after treatment: -

• Perhaps the most common is that the client has a very good nights sleep 
• The rate of urination may increase.  The colour and smell may also change
• Suppressed past conditions could flare up
• Some people (approx 10%) may experience a headache after treatment – this is because the treatment has started the movement of toxins in the body    **In this case you need to drink plenty of water to help clear the toxins from the body 6-8 glasses in the next 24 hours 

These are all positive reactions and show that the body is trying to heal itself. 

Regular treatments have proven to produce a Homeostasis in the body. Most clients like to continue with monthly or six weekly sessions just to top up their level of relaxation and rebalance the systems.