Reflexology

Reflexology is the holistic understanding, study and practice of treating points and areas in the feet and hands that relate to corresponding parts of the body. Using precise hand and finger techniques, a reflexologist can improve circulation, promote relaxation and enable homeostasis. This encourages the person’s own healing systems to be activated to maintain well-being.

Reflexology is a gentle healing art, dating back to ancient Egypt and China. The benefits of this therapy were acknowledged even then and can be seen in Egyptian tomb artwork from around 2000 BC. This depicts a scene of the giving and receiving of foot massage.

In 1913 Dr William Fitzgerald introduced Reflexology to the West. He found that the application of pressure to one part of the body could create a response in another. This reflex relationship was found to lie within certain longitudinal zones of which there were ten in the body. Fitzgerald called this “zone therapy”.

In the 1930’s Eunice Ingham further developed the study of zone therapy, becoming the reflexology we know today. She determined that the reflexes on the feet and hands were an exact mirror image of the organs of the body.

Reflexology is for all ages and can relieve a range of acute or chronic conditions. After you have completed a course of reflexology treatment for a specific condition, many people find it beneficial to continue with regular treatments in order to maintain health and well-being.

While many people use reflexology as a way of relaxing the mind and body or counteracting stress, many doctors, consultants and other health care professionals recognise reflexology as an effective therapy. Reflexology helps us to cope on a physical, mental and emotional level, encouraging us to heal and maintain health in all areas of our lives.

The Reflexology practitioner will first conduct a full personal consultation. This will look into your past and present health, also your lifestyle. The consultation enables the treatment to be tailored to your specific needs. All this will be discussed on a confidential basis.

A reflexology treatment lasts for approximately one hour. The feet are treated, so you simply remove your socks and shoes. You will be invited to sit or lie on a comfortable treatment chair or couch. The reflexologist will use their hands to apply precise pressure techniques to the feet treating specific points which correspond to organs and systems of the body.

Following treatment, any significant findings will be discussed with you. As the effects of reflexology are cumulative, many people find it beneficial to continue with regular treatments.

To gain maximum benefit from your reflexology treatment try to rest afterwards, this helps to boost the body’s natural healing abilities. Increasing the amount of water that you drink can help to flush toxins from your system, aiding the detoxifying process.

Listen to your body, put aside time to relax. After one or two treatments your body may respond in a very definite way. Most people describe a sense of well-being and relaxation; sometimes people can feel lethargic, nauseous or tearful, this is transitory and is a part of the healing process. This is vital feedback for the reflexologist, it shows how your body is responding to treatment, it will help to tailor a treatment plan specific to your needs.