On your first visit, I will begin with a full consultation about your medical background and current health and lifestyle. With subsequent treatments providing feedback about responses perceived and changes to lifestyle and health helps to inform and gauge the effectiveness and approach of treatments. Each treatment is tailored to individual needs.
Removing your shoes and socks so that I can examine and cleanse your feet while you relax into a reclining couch or chair with cushion support, I will work on your feet with careful responsive pressure applied with thumbs and fingers.
The treatment consists of 3 phases:
A relaxing foot massage involving movements to loosen the ankles and increase blood flow to the area, a medium may be applied to the feet, dependant on necessity, either foot balm/moisturiser or corn starch.
Reflexology techniques aiming to stimulate, soothe and relax all the reflexes of the feet - paying special attention to the areas where congestion or discomfort is found
A few minutes rest followed by a 'put you back together' massage using appropriate medium.
How long does a session last ? A session will usually last an hour. However, the first treatment will be 30 minutes longer to allow for a consultation period so that I can get to know you, your medical background and requirements.
How many treatments will I need ? It is not realistic to expect that problems that have been present and developing over many years can be solved with one treatment. Everyone is individual and some people respond to reflexology more quickly than others. Most people notice a difference after 4-6 sessions.
How often can I have reflexology? Even though reflexology feels so wonderful you'd like to have it done everyday, it is always best not to have a full reflexology session more than once every 3 or 4 days. If you have a health condition that is being assisted with reflexology you would probably start with a session once every 3 or 4 days then as your condition improves you would taper your sessions down as you feel you need to. If you are a relatively healthy person and you're using reflexology to maintain your health then you may only want a session once every couple of weeks or once a month. No one knows you, your body and how you feel, better than you do, so you should be the judge of what you think would be the most beneficial to your health maintenance program. I would also add, that I believe strongly, regularly scheduled reflexology sessions (I suggest 1-3 weeks apart and not more than 4) are very important to see the cumulative benefits this modality has to offer. In my opinion, seeing your reflexologist once every 3 months really is little more than a once in awhile feel good treat with much less potential for affecting positive changes in the body (physically, emotionally & spiritually).
What does a treatment feel like? Does it hurt ? Most clients enter into a deep state of relaxation. Areas of congestion may be uncomfortable but shouldn't be painful. I constantly check that you are comfortable and adapt the pressure I apply to suit you. Reflexology can be extremely relaxing, however if there is a part of the body that is unbalanced, the corresponding reflex point may feel sore or tender whilst the practitioner works to rebalance the area. If at any time you find the treatment painful, please tell your Practitioner, as it is important that they work within your comfort-zone.
My feet are very ticklish. Will I be able to tolerate reflexology? I have encountered many people who say they have ticklish feet but have yet to find someone who finds reflexology ticklish !
How will I feel after the treatment ? Clients report a great feeling of wellbeing after the treatment. Some feel very relaxed and others feel energised and invigorated.
Are there any possible side effects to the treatment ? Reflexology may help the body to remove waste products and toxins. Many clients experience a reaction such as increased bowel movements, increased urination or perspiration, a runny nose etc. I believe this to be a sign that the treatment is working well and is known as a 'healing reaction'.
Where do the treatments take place? I work from a comfortable treatment studio at Spring Clinic, Regent Street, Leamington Spa. I am willing to travel to you within the local area but may charge extra to cover my travelling expenses.
What is the history of reflexology ? A wall painting found in an Egyptian tomb suggests that reflexology was being used in Egypt as long ago as 2350BC.
More recently, in 1913, Dr. William Fitzgerald discovered that applying pressure to certain parts of the body could produce an anaesthetic effect on another part of the body. He developed this theory further by dividing the body into 10 equal longitudinal zones, concluding that pressure applied on one part of a zone could affect all parts within that zone.
In the 1930's, Eunice Ingham continued to develop this idea. She noticed that alternating pressure produced a stimulating effect rather than an anaesthetic effect. She also noticed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrored congestion or tension in a corresponding part of the body. She further refined the technique and gave it the name 'reflexology'.
If reflexology does not treat disease, what can it do for me? Reflexology is used primarily to relieve stress and tension and produce deep therapeutic relaxation. Medical doctors agree that over 75% of our health problems can be linked to nervous and physical tension. By reducing stress and tension, reflexology improves blood and lymph circulation, strengthens the functioning of the immune system, improves assimilation of nutrition and elimination of toxins, and calms the nervous system. In these ways, reflexology facilitates the body's natural healing processes and thereby enhances the body's health and vitality.
If I have a serious ailment, such as heart trouble, diabetes or cancer, can reflexology make my condition worse? Absolutely not ! Reflexology practised with common sense is completely safe. It simply relaxes the body, which allows it to function more effectively. The results can be amazing!!! If a licensed health care provider such as a medical or naturopathic doctor is managing your condition, it is important that you discuss the consequences of any therapy (including reflexology) with this person before you commence treatment. This is particularly appropriate if your condition involves an organ transplant, an implanted device (pacemaker), or, is acute. In the case of Diabetes, it may be advisable to have blood sugar levels checked before and after treatment.
Can reflexology do me any serious harm? NO. Reflexology is essentially harmless. The therapeutic relaxation that reflexology produces facilitates the body's release of toxins. On very rare occasions this release of toxins may bring about perspiration, a nauseous feeling, a headache, or a bad taste in the mouth. These minor discomforts are evidence of the body's healing process, are very temporary and are not serious. Should you experience any discomfort after a reflexology session that is not temporary, then you should assume that its cause is independent of the reflexology and take the appropriate remedial actions. Most people enjoy pleasant relaxed and/or energized feelings after a reflexology session.
Is it possible to perform reflexology on myself? Yes, however performing reflexology on yourself cannot place you into the required state of parasympathetic to fully realize the benefits of stress and tension release. Having a regular weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly reflexology session with a qualified reflexologist would be most beneficial. However, giving yourself a reflexology treatment can be very helpful to your health and well being. In some cases it could be beneficial to stimulate defined areas between appointments.