Reflexology & Benefits
About Reflexology
Deep Relaxation
Reflexology has been described as nature’s tranquilliser. It is a gentle and non-invasive treatment, but is powerful enough to bring about a state of balance within the body that encourages the body’s innate ability to heal itself. It is an ancient art that has been in existence in some form or another for thousands of years and is described in ancient Egyptian, Chinese, Ayurvedic and Native American medicine. It is now used in a modern setting, alongside conventional medicine, either as a preventative measure or to deal with specific health issues and symptoms.
Click image above to see the AoR Reflexology Explorer footmap
Reflexology encourages the body into a deeply relaxed state triggering it’s own healing processes. Blockages and imbalances in bodily systems can be felt by the therapist and gently broken down, as precise pressure is applied to reflexes in the feet or hands, which correspond to the organs and systems in our bodies. As such, it is one of the few complementary therapies recommended to NHS patients, with reflexologists, like myself, now working in cancer centres, pain clinics, maternity and other specialist areas.
With ever increasing levels of stress in our daily lives, reflexology can help us to cope on a mental, physical and emotional level
Reflexology is a truly holistic therapy so seeks to balance mind, body and spirit. Stress of any kind can upset this balance and cause disease, having a debilitating effect on our overall wellbeing. This can be the kind of stress we associate with the pressures of modern living, which cannot be underestimated. However, other kinds of stress can be the trigger that creates an imbalance and allows disease to take hold. These include sudden shock or trauma, prolonged stress or depression, and emotional stress such as bereavement and grief.
Initial symptoms may not be specific to an illness, they could simply be fatigue, tension or aches and pains but it is important to listen to our bodies and the symptoms they are showing us in order to catch these imbalances and put things right - True disease is often a final stage of events and reflexology can help a person to take back control of their health before this stage, and in this way is a great preventative medicine.
It is a natural, drug free way of helping to cope with stress and bring back that balance, or homeostasis, that will prevent a more serious illness developing from those vague untreated symptoms. The most important benefit of reflexology is that it relieves stress and tension and is deeply relaxing.
It is only when the body is relaxed that it begins to heal
This is because the healing parasympathetic nervous system is effectively ‘switched off’ during times of stress as our bodies prepare for ‘fight or flight’. This can be very damaging to our health, particularly over a long period of time, which is why it is estimated that around 75% of all illness is stress related. Reflexology re activities the parasympathetic nervous system so triggers our ‘rest and digest’ mechanism, helping to control our stress levels and release endorphins (natural pain killers) into the system.
The feet are incredibly sensitive, with over 7,000 nerve endings, so reflexology can also have a very stimulating effect, enhancing energy and vitality in the longer term.
“There are 7,200 nerve endings in each foot. Perhaps this fact, more than any other, explains why we feel so much better when our feet are worked with Reflexology. Nerve endings in the feet have extensive interconnections through the spinal cord and brain with all areas of the body. Surely the feet are a gold mine of opportunity to release tension and enhance health.”
-Ray C. Wunderlich Jr. M.D, Preventative Medicine and Health Promotion
Relax your mind, revive your body, and restore your inner self
Reflexology improves circulation, which it does in three ways: firstly by relaxation, which allows the parasympathetic nervous system to encourage blood flow to all organs and lowers blood pressure; secondly massaging the feet or hands encourages circulation to them; and finally using the reflexes for the circulatory system can stimulate it to work efficiently. Every cell in our bodies need oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to them, and waste products to be removed. This is simply vital for life and is carried out by our circulatory system. The two main substances circulated are the blood in the cardiovascular system, and the lymph in the lymphatic system. The blood transports oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, heat, waste and hormones. It also helps to protect against foreign microbes and toxins. It regulates the body’s pH, temperature and the water content of cells. This waste removal is like a natural detox for our bodies. The lymphatic system prevents water logging of cells, transports lipids and contains tissues and organs vital to our immune response. For this reason, improved circulation is important to maintain balance and heal.
“As tension as eased, pressure on the nerves and vessels is relaxed thus improving the flow of blood and its oxygen-rich nutrients to all parts of the body.”
-Dwight C Byers, Better Health with Foot Reflexology
Reflexology brings therapeutic human touch which is necessary to health and wellbeing, and establishes a sense of being cared for and accepted. This can be especially important for the elderly, infirm, post operatively, or at any stage of life when we feel in need of a little nurturing.
Reflexology promotes a sense of ease and wellbeing in the recipient, and has been described as encouraging a feeling of inner peace and calm.
A special time for you
Benefits of Reflexology
“Reflexology stands the test of patient acceptance as a valid means of making one feel good, relaxing and functioning better than he otherwise would. As such, Reflexology qualifies as an important adjunct for health care.”
-Ray C. Wunderlich Jr. M.D, Preventative Medicine and Health Promotion
Relieves stress and tension
Reduces anxiety
Stimulates the circulation to vital organs leading to faster healing and regrowth of damaged cells
Stimulates removal of waste so helps to detoxify the body
Stimulates the lymphatic and immune systems to aid lymphatic drainage and reduce fluid retention (oedema)
Alleviates the side effects of cancer treatments such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, pain, sleeplessness and anxiety
Provides therapeutic nurturing touch necessary for wellbeing
Brings about homeostasis, or balance within the body, mind and spirit
Lowers blood pressure
Calms the digestive system to ease symptoms of IBS and other digestive disorders
Balances hormone levels which can help with PMT (Study of premenstrual symptoms treated with reflexology), fertility, menopausal symptoms and skin problems such as teenage acne
Relieves pain
Soothes back ache, eases trapped nerves, muscular and joint pain including arthritis
Improves quality of sleep
Relieves headaches and migraines
Increases energy levels
Promotes deep relaxation and improved mental health
Reflexology works through relaxation and balance of body and mind and as such is helpful in dealing with a wide-range of conditions. It is used to support clients with allergies, asthma, auto-immune issues, diabetes, depression, IBS and fertility issues to name but a few, and has helped many patients to manage their symptoms.
Please contact me to discuss how reflexology can help you.
What to Expect
It is your time to relax and unwind. I will make sure that you are warm and comfortable before we begin, and I will start by asking you some questions about your health and lifestyle which will enable me to tailor a bespoke treatment, just for you, addressing any areas of concern you may have. For this reason, a first appointment will be slightly longer to allow time for this initial consultation. Any information you give me will, of course, be kept in strict confidence.
Treatments take place fully clothed, apart from socks and shoes, on a reclining chair or couch, and with as many pillows and blankets as you need to feel comfortable and cosy.
The treatment itself involves a warm towel foot cleanse or foot bath, a foot reading, and a gentle ‘warm up’ massage to relax, boost circulation and ‘open up’ the feet. I will then begin the main treatment using gentle pressure over specific reflexes in the feet which correspond to parts of the body. Organs and systems can be balanced by stimulating these reflexes in the right way. Occasionally a particular reflex will feel slightly sensitive, but it should never hurt. This is simply a sign to the reflexologist that that particular reflex may need balancing.
The treatment is incredibly soothing. Some clients choose to chat whilst others drift off, listening to the gentle music.
Your treatment will close with more relaxing massage, after which I will give you a moment to ‘come to’. Many clients are surprised by just how relaxed they are at the end of a treatment! After this we can discuss any findings from the treatment and holistic advice that may help you take control of your own wellbeing moving forwards, and get to the root cause of any health issues. I will then suggest some aftercare advice that will help you to feel the benefits of your treatment for as long as possible.
I can even share some hand reflexology points with you that you can use at home between treatments.
I will always aim to work on the feet where possible, simply because our feet are so sensitive to reflexology. However, there are times when treatment is contraindicated, after surgery or injury for example, or where clients are particularly averse to anyone touching their feet. In these cases, I can perform the treatment on the hands instead. The hands are a good substitute, containing all the reflexes found in the feet. One client of mine was extremely pleased we could continue her treatments in this way during her recovery from surgery on her foot.
I will always seek to adapt my treatments to your specific needs, and discuss an appropriate treatment plan with you. Some clients simply want a ‘one off’ relaxing treat, while for others with more specific health concerns, a course of treatments will be more beneficial as the effects of reflexology are cumulative. In this case a course of 5-6 sessions may be recommended.
“It is my hope that my medical and surgical colleagues will see that the proven value of Reflexology as an effective disease-fighting method. For the end result strives to provide wholesome, long life for us all.”
-Gary F Fleischman, D.P.M, Member of U.S. Congressional Advisory Board
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me on 07756960152 if you have any questions about how
Reflexology works, or to arrange an appointment.
Alternatively send me an email below through my secure contact form. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
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