What is REFLEXOLOGY?

Pure Relaxation!
Reflexology is the therapy and art of using the feet or hands as a body map to locate blockages or imbalances in the energy fields (meridians) of the body. Then, working on the appropriate reflexes, freeing the blockage or correcting the imbalance, we thereby encourage the body to heal itself.

It is also one of the most natural of the complementary therapies, involving no medication or drugs. For every part of the body, there is a corresponding reflex zone or area represented on the foot. Gentle pressure is applied to all of these areas, covering the whole of both feet. This stimulates the body's natural energy flow and can help release any blocks along these energy pathways. It also helps to improve the circulation and subsequently the elimination of any waste toxins accumulated within the tissues and cells of the body, and helps bring vital nutrients to these ceils. The free-flow of energy throughout the body is thereby restored to its normal efficiency; this gentle therapy encourages the body to heal itself at its own pace.

What happens when I have a Reflexology treatment?

Any discomfort at certain points should not last and is only the result of stress or an imbalance in that part of the body. Areas for future treatment will be identified   A general medical history and some details of life-style, diet, etc are also noted.

The feet are also given a general relaxing massage. Reflexology may also be carried out on the hands where conditions prevent the treatment being performed on the feet. Many people have a feeling of well-being and relaxation after a treatment which in itself is of great benefit and reduces stress and tension. The Reflexologist will want to know how you react to each treatment in order to help plan subsequent ones.

What conditions can be treated?

Reflexology has been successful in relieving many acute and chronic conditions, the list is virtually endless - but some examples are back pain and injuries, stress, menstrual problems, sinusitis, M.E., Candida, Arthritis, Psoriasis, Multiple Sclerosis, Migraine and much more.
Reflexology can also be used as a Preventive medicine in that it balances the body and strengthens the immune system thereby creating a much stronger defense against disease and infection.

How many treatments will I need?

A course of treatment will vary according to each individuals needs, how long a particular condition has lasted and how quickly the body is able to' respond.
An average might be 5 sessions of about one hour each, but it does vary. After this, "top up" sessions may occasionally be necessary in order to maintain the sense of well-being.

An increasing number of people are using Reflexology and finding it marks the turning point in their state of health, feeling that their body is more relaxed and balanced.

DONALD PIRANTY
REFLEXOLOGIST, Member BRA 

Read on for a more detailed explaination..

REFLEXOLOGY is a form of ancient Chinese medicine involving treatment by massage of reflex areas in the feet.  Every part of the feet corresponds to a part of the body with the left foot representing the left side of the body and the right foot, the right side.  An imaginary line halfway down the foot corresponds to the waistline, with organs in the upper part of the body having their reflex areas in the upper part of the foot and the organs in the lower part of the body, in the lower part. Thus, the reflexes of the feet are arranged to form a map of the body.  In addition to reflexes on the soles of the feet, there are also reflexes on top of the foot and a short distance up the back of the leg. Although Reflexology is an ancient therapy, it was not until the beginning of the century that it became known to the western world.

An American, Dr. William Fitzgerald became interested in the possibility of treating organs through pressure points distant from the actual organs and described how the body could be divided into ten vertical zones- hence the name ‘Zone Therapy’ which reflexology is sometimes termed.

There are five zones on either side of the medial line in the body with each one corresponding to the fingers and toes. Zone 1 extends from the thumb up to the head and then down to the big toe and zone 5 from the little finger up to the head and down to the little toe.  Within the zones there is a flow of energy linking various body organs to a reflex area in the foot and in general, whichever zones an organ is found in the body, the reflex area will be found in the same zones in the feet, e.g. the right kidney is found in zones 2 and 3 on the right side of the body and the reflex area is found in zones 2 and 3 in the right foot. The hands are used to give this particular type of massage with the side and end of the thumb being pressed quite deeply into the reflex area.  If the area being worked on is out of balance, a sharpness or tenderness will be felt in the foot as pressure is applied and the degree of tenderness will determine how out of balance the particular area is.  The treatment should not, however, be agonizing since if the feet are extremely sensitive, a lighter pressure should be applied.

When receiving Reflexology treatment all the areas of the feet will be massaged regardless of the condition, so that the ‘Whole body’ is treated.  Areas which appear tender, indicating an imbalance, will receive extra massage and a treatment session will last approximately three quarters of an hour.  The treatment can be helpful to a wide range of complaints including migraine, back pain, sinus trouble, heart and circulatory conditions, kidney disorders and menstrual problems.  There are certain conditions when treatment should not be given or where extra care is needed and for this reason a trained practitioner should give treatment.  It is possible to ‘overwork’ the reflexes.

Following treatment, some reactions may occur as the body strives to remove toxins from the system and the elimination systems may become more active resulting in a form of ‘healing crisis’ such as a cold, passing of more urine or appearance of a skin rash.  A feeling of tiredness may be experienced though the reverse can also occur with a feeling of increased vitality.  In nearly all cases, the person will feel more relaxed, which is of great benefit in helping the body become more balanced.  Reflex areas are also found in the hands and though not quite as responsive ad the feet, the hands can be most useful for self-treatment, being more readily accessible.

Reflexology may appear to be a very simple treatment but the results obtained can be amazing. The Bayly School of Reflexology, the first Reflexology training school to be established in the UK, was founded in 1978 by the late Doreen Bayly. It is the official Teaching Body of the British Reflexology Association.