A World of Health at Your Feet!
What is Reflexology?Reflexology is a form of therapeutic massage which is carried out on the feet and, sometimes, the hands.
Although some might say that the therapy has been 'invented' or 'discovered' in the last hundred years, it is actually the case that it has been RE-discovered in the modern era and the name 'Reflexology' has been attached to it.
The origins of Reflexology are ancient - certainly dating back several thousand years and probably originating in the far East; certainly there are striking similarities to ancient Chinese practices, including Acupuncture.
It is all to easy to scoff at and dismiss ancient therapies in this age of technology and 'wonder drugs' but simply because ancient cultures and civilisations did not have access to technology and modern medicine it does not mean that they were without knowledge. Far from it, they were frequently far more in-tune with, and 'intuitive' about, their bodies, health and surroundings than we are today. Many people would argue that we have become far too dependant on technological and pill-based remedies, not to mention their frequent side-effects.
Chinese medicine, for example, has always believed - and still believes - that every living thing is possessed of a living energy - a life force - that they call 'Chi'. Chi flows through energy channels in the body known as meridians, and while the life energy is flowing freely the body and mind are at ease, in balance and therefore healthy. A blockage or disruption to the flow, however, can result in 'dis-ease', imbalance and illness. The human body has a wondrous innate ability to heal itself but sometimes it needs a helping hand - or foot!
Acupuncture works on these principles and so, too, does Reflexology. But whereas acupuncture uses needles at various 'reflex points' along the various meridians (often at a site remote from the source of pain), Reflexology applies pressure to reflex points on the feet (and, on occasion, the hands). But for all it is a gentle therapy it can be hugely effective.
What Conditions Can it Help?
Reflexologists who are registered with the Association of Reflexologists (AOR) abide by a very strict Code of Ethics. We DO NOT Prescribe, Diagnose or Agree to treat a specific ailment. We are not Doctors! As complementary therapists we work WITH and not in competition with Doctors and other health professionals.
However, while we would never claim to be miracle workers, there are very few conditions that cannot benefit from a course of Reflexology. Some conditions respond better than others to the therapy and, likewise, some clients respond better than others.
In fact, rather than list the conditions which a Reflexologist CAN treat, it is easier - and briefer - to mention those which CANNOT be treated. For these, see my 'Frequently Asked Questions' page.
What Benefits can I Expect?
In an ideal world, Reflexology would be provided to everyone as a form of ongoing preventative medicine. Staying healthy is always preferable to restoring health!
However, in reality, people often 'find' Reflexology after they have lived with a condition for some time - often many years - and are looking to try something different. It may be that they have a deep-rooted condition that is simply 'managed' with drugs although the 'core' condition doesn't improve. It is also very common that a patient has a problem with the side-effects of prescibed medication and wishes to try a natural and 'non-invasive' therapy instead (in which case the Reflexologist may end up treating the core condition AND the side-effects of the drugs!). Sometimes, it has to be said, patients come to reflexology as something of a last resort, perhaps hoping for a miracle cure.
Relief and Benefits may be experienced on many different levels - from stress-busting deep relaxation to mild or moderate pain relief, improved digestion and circulation and improved mobility, to significant improvements in deep-rooted illnesses and conditions. It even works well for animals!
The crucial point to note is that Reflexology as a therapy attends to the 'Cause' rather than just the 'Symptom'.
