Reflexology – put your feet in our hands

Reflexologists see your feet as a representation of your entire/whole being, from body to soul, emotional status and personality - all the way to ‘who you are and what makes you YOU’. The two feet together, when facing the Reflexologist represent a ‘map’ of your whole body. i.e. that the left foot is the left side of the body, and the right foot, the right side. We are mostly symmetrical with one eye, kidney, lung etc. on each side of the body, but where we have one organ, such as our heart, liver, spleen, these show on the relevant left or right foot.

Reflexologists read feet like a magazine

We use picture/visual clues like colour changes, areas of toughened or calloused skin, changes in form, such as bunions may lead us to question the function of the organs located on the Reflexology Map. The arch of the foot tells a story and represents the spine, its formation gives clues to your upbringing and disposition. In Reflexology terms if you are flat footed or have a high instep, these scenarios may impact upon bodily function, health or potentially susceptible areas in well-being.

When we handle your feet, we gain clues about your temperament, how you approach life, and that information comes through before the Reflexology treatment starts, just during the warm up! During a treatment session, your Reflexologist may detect tension, perhaps a lack of tone, varying degrees of grittiness and so on, that give us clues about where your body is perhaps not functioning at its best level. We relate these signs to ‘energy flow’, or blockages in this flow, and seek to facilitate the release of blocked energy and encourage the resources of your body to repair and resume function to your best potential.

Not diagnostic, but interpretive

In a Reflexology session, if we find signs in your feet which suggest cause for curiosity, we will then expand our questions about your symptoms, history and lifestyle. Based on your feedback, we may recommend immediate referral to your doctor, or a series of treatments to assess whether Reflexology is making an inroad, resolving, or confirming some dysfunction. We may then suggest you discuss your health with your doctor. There have been cases where serious health problems have been highlighted during a treatment, but we urge you to use Reflexology as another tool in your quest for information rather than see it as a diagnostic art. Even general medicine uses many forms of investigation to confirm what ails us after all.

What can Reflexology do for you?

The applications for this healing art are to address your whole status of health, well-being, energy and emotional status. Circulation, nerve function, hormonal balancing, respiratory efficiency, immune system competence, reproductive system performance, digestion and detoxification are amongst the physical areas that can be influenced. Emotional states from stress, through grief, to the full A-Z of feelings may be vented and re-set by a course of treatments.

Typically people who seek Reflexology have established ‘medically diagnosed and treated’ health problems already. Perhaps with periods and all things related to the menstrual cycle, digestive misdemeanours such as stomach ulcers, hyperacidity, I.B.S., constipation. Many congestive states of health disorder are accessed, chest conditions, asthma, sinus and hay fever problems.  Arthritic pain and flare ups can be reduced and managed, and preparation for hip replacement surgery is commonly found to enhance post op recovery. We will advise you whether you need your doctor’s advice/permission or co-operation before entering into treatment.

There are many more areas where Reflexology can help you. It’s really a case of discussing your situation with a practitioner. Dip your toe in and call or contact us - you may be surprised by the response.

Truth and trust

When we offer a consultation, we rely on your utmost willingness to give us full information prior to treatment. In this way, we work from a standpoint of understanding, which is the ideal footplate from which to plan our treatment.

Tickles and toes

Do not worry about ticklish feet, or whether you consider your feet ‘pretty’. If you have sensitive feet, just know that we are there to treat, not tickle - help, not play. In fact these two feet facts tell us much about you, and only serve to fascinate us, remember that we are already foot friendly! Some folk prefer the idea of having only the feet used to access health problems. No need to undress, just step this way and get better.

Handy tip

Hands can be treated in place of feet, they are of equal value as an access point. You can be taught self-help techniques to practice on your hands between visits, and in some settings (like treatments in the workplace) using the hands is preferred, convenient, and much appreciated by hard-worked fingers and wrist owners.

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author. All articles published on Therapy Directory are reviewed by our editorial team.

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