WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY?

Reflexology is a science that relates to the principle that there are

reflex areas in the feet that correspond to every part of the human

body, and pressure on them helps to restore balance to the systems

of the body.

 

Reflexology is a holistic therapy – looking at the whole person.  It recognizes that a person is not just a physical entity or merely a ‘living machine’, nor can it be divided into separate social, cultural, physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual aspects which can be studied and manipulated in isolation.  Understanding that the person is a ‘whole’ being, and the need to understand the person within whom the disease is manifesting, is the starting point.  Being holistic means taking into account a variety of factors when understanding a person’s health or disease, such as his/her emotions, mental attitudes, lifestyle, diet, physical predispositions, past experiences, relationships, etc.  It is the synergy of all these things that make up the whole person, which is greater and more important than looking at the individual parts.

 

Disease, or even a short-term minor ailment, doesn’t just happen at the physical level, or to a single body part.  The psychological, emotional, mental, and even spiritual aspects of the person are always involved in the disease process, as well as the process of recovering well-being – the healing process.  Therefore, treating only the symptoms of the disease/sickness does not fix the issue.  The whole body must be treated in order to not only relieve the symptoms, but restore wellness, and return the person to positive health.

 

Our bodies are designed to help themselves heal.  Reflexology is a natural, non-invasive therapy that encourages this self-healing process.  It encourages the whole body to come into balance by stimulating the nerve endings (over 7,000 of them!!) in the feet, which correspond to our entire body.  Many times the symptoms felt in one part of the body are caused by a completely different part of the body.

 

The holistic approach respects YOU, the client/patient, as the most important part of the healing process.  With reflexology treatments, and recommendations based on holistic concepts, you will learn which factors in your life may have laid the foundation for the disease/sickness and I will work with you to avoid these and establish healthy habits, and a frame of mind which enables well-being to return.  Responsibility for healing rests ultimately with the you the client/patient.  My role as a reflexology practitioner is to support your body’s own healing mechanisms and help create the right conditions for recovery.

 

HOW DOES REFLEXOLOGY WORK?

There are a few ways in which reflexology works:

 

In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that qi (pronounced “chee”), or “vital energy” flows through each person.  When a person feels stressed, their body blocks qi.  This can cause an imbalance in the body that leads to illness.  Reflexology aims to keep qi flowing through the body, keeping it balanced and disease free.  Different body parts correspond with different pressure points on the body.  Reflexologists use maps of these points in the feet and hands to determine where they should apply pressure.  It is believed that their touch sends energy flowing through a person’s body until it reaches the area in need of healing.

 

In the 1890s, British scientists found that nerves connect the skin and internal organs.  They also found that the body’s entire nervous system tends to adjust to outside factors, including touch.  A reflexologist’s touch may help to calm the central nervous system, promoting relaxation and other benefits just like any form of massage.

 

Zone therapy is considered the basis of foot reflexology.  The body contains ten (10) vertical zones; each zone contains different body parts and corresponds to specific fingers and toes.  Touching these fingers and toes allows the reflexologist to access every body part in a particular zone.  These zones can be thought of as energy zones.  There are also three (3) lateral zones (diaphragm line, waist line, and heel line) on the feet.  The right foot corresponds to the right side of the body and the left foot corresponds to the left.

 

In a nutshell, reflexology works by applying pressure to the nerve endings on the feet (and hands).  The thumb and/or index finger are used, depending on what part of the foot/hand is being touched.  This pressure stimulates a reaction in the corresponding part of the body, which brings about a positive change in the body (unblocking blocked energy channels; stimulating the production/release of enzymes, hormones, etc; relaxing overworked organs; etc)

 

It is important to note that as a reflexologist, I do not heal you; the body repairs itself with the support of reflexology.  Reflexology is merely offered to help bring you back into balance so that your body can nurture and repair itself.

 

BEFORE THE REFLEXOLOGY TREATMENT

Prior to coming in for your first treatment (and subsequent treatments), there are a couple of things that you will need to do in order to get the most out of your session:

• Obtain the Reflexology Consultation Form, fill it out, and return to me prior to your first session (**NOTE: please be as detailed as possible with the information you provide, as this will ensure you get the most effective treatment plan for your current health situation); I (or the receptionist at Inverness Chiropractic) will contact you to book your first appointment within one-to-two weeks of receiving the form; we may also contact you for further clarification on the information you provided

• The forms can be emailed or faxed to you, or other arrangements can be made; once completed, you can email/fax/drop off them off to me or the receptionist at Inverness Chiropractic

• Please ensure your feet are free from any wounds, or contagious conditions (such as plantar warts), or I will not be able to do your treatment

• If you have an eye mask that you like to use, bring it to wear during the treatment

• If you have any allergies or sensitivities to cornstarch powder or lotions, let me know, as these will be used on your feet

 

A TYPICAL FOOT REFLEXOLOGY TREATMENT (1 hour)

• You will be asked to sit in a zero-gravity chair (then placed in reclined position)

• You will remain fully clothed, except your socks will need to be removed for treatment

• You will be covered with a blanket, if desired

• Extra support will be given to you under your head, arms, and knees/lower legs using pillows/cushions

• You will be encouraged to close your eyes and relax (minimal talking)

• You will be offered an eye pillow to put over your eyes (unless you bring your own eye mask)

• The treatment will start with cleaning both of your feet by wiping them using a lovely healing/cleansing mixture poured onto a cotton pad

• Your left foot will then be wrapped in a towel/blanket, and treatment will begin on your right foot (a cornstarch powder will be applied to the foot to provide ease of movement for my thumb/finger)

• Relaxation exercises will be applied to your foot

• I will start the treatment routine on your right foot – a standard routine that covers all areas of the bottom of the foot, as well as some areas on the toes, the ankles, and the tops of the foot; extra time will be spent on the areas related to your health condition or concern (start on right foot, finish on left foot)

• You will be given a relaxing foot massage to end the treatment (a gentle lotion will be used)

• Once the treatment is complete, it is very important to drink a glass of water, and continue drinking water as much as possible over the following 24 hours (body is detoxifying and needs water to help get rid of wastes)

 

During a treatment, it is normal to experience the following:

• Coughing, laughing, crying – emotional/mental release

• Sweating of palms of hands or feet – tension being released; nervous system reaction; hormone imbalance

• Twitching, tingling in the limbs – nerves are being stimulated

• Sudden cramps – flow of blood changed; magnesium levels may be low

• Electric-type shock – nerve stimulation

• Warmth in corresponding area being treated – nerve stimulation; blood supply to area changed

• Feeling of movement or clawing in the corresponding area being treated – nerve supply changed; energy moving; stimulation of nerve endings and pathways

• Great fatigue – stress relief; parasympathetic nervous system stimulated (slows down)

• Overwhelming desire to sleep, or close eyes – release of stress; feeling of relaxation

• Disappearance of all pain and discomfort (this may be short-lived) – physiologically more relaxed; more endorphins released (natural pain killer); increase in serotonin (chemical released in brain; regulates mood, sleep, etc.); manipulating pain receptors (mimics what a pain blocker would do); stimulates more blood flow (more nutrients to the area; removing wastes)

 

 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AFTER A REFLEXOLOGY TREATMENT

It will be very important to provide feedback to me immediately after your treatment, as it will help in evaluating and improving the effectiveness of the treatments.  This includes answering the following questions:

• How do you feel now after the treatment? (explain/describe)

• Had there been anything about the treatment that you were uncomfortable with? (explain/describe)

• Have any painful areas improved? (explain/describe)

• Do you feel any different? (explain/describe)

• To get the most benefits from your reflexology treatment plan, it is strongly recommended that you adhere to the minimum number of treatments recommended for you.  Some conditions require fewer/more treatments than others do.  This will be determined after I have received, reviewed, and assessed your consultation form.  The minimum number of recommended treatments is 6 for every client.

 

I will also ask you to monitor how you are feeling after, and in between treatments, so you can report any differences and improvements.  This also includes the problems that you started with.

 

SHORT TERM EFFECTS (up to 24 hours after treatment):

• Symptoms may feel slightly worse for 24 hours, but this indicates that the treatment is working

• General aches and pains the following day after treatment

• Skin rashes, spots and pimples (body is detoxifying)

• Great fatigue for approximately 48 hours

• Flu-like symptoms (something trying to ‘get out’)

• Increased wind and more ease and frequency of bowel movements

• Relief from pain (but won’t last forever)

• More energy

• Improved sleeping patterns

• For people on medications, or those with more health issues – will experience more side effects

 

You will also receive an information package which outlines details of your treatment plan, and any other recommendations that will help you to improve your current health and well-being.  It will be very important for you to follow my recommendations, and especially important to commit to the number of treatments/treatment schedule in order to receive the most benefits from reflexology.

 

 

BENEFITS OF REFLEXOLOGY

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Reduced pain

• Release of toxins, mental and physical

• Increase in circulation of blood and lymph

• Relaxation of tense muscles

• Ability to deep breathe

• Over or underactive areas of the body act normally

• Calms the mind

• Overall relaxation

• Body in balance

• Feeling of well-being

• Improved sleeping patterns

• Coping better with stressful situations

• More energy

• Increase in body awareness

• Boosts immune system

• Fights cancer

• Clear up sinus issues

• Recover from back problems

• Correct hormonal imbalances

• Boost fertility

• Improve digestion

• Ease arthritis pain

• Treat nerve problems and numbness from cancer drugs (peripheral neuropathy)

• Constant homeostasis (balance of all the systems) in the body

 

DID YOU KNOW…

• Our entire body has 206 bones – our feet have 26 each – so that’s 52 bones in our feet alone – almost 40% of our bones are in our feet!!

• We have over 7,000 nerve endings in our feet that connect directly to some part of our body – that’s a lot of nerve endings in a small area!

 

** ADDED BONUS: HOLISTIC LIFESTYLE COACHING **

As part of your Reflexology experience with me, you will receive individualized holistic lifestyle coaching both before and after each treatment.  My recommendations will be based on our discussions, the information your provided in your forms, and anything that I noticed during your Reflexology treatment, and will be offered to you as a way to help bring more balance and healing to your life.

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**PLEASE NOTE:  I will have a few surprises to give to you at your first appointment, PLUS you will have on-going support from me via email and/or Facebook Messenger as you go through this part of your wellness journey with me!