REFLEXOLOGY
Practitioner
Jan Howarth
Brief explanation of the therapy
Reflexology is a therapy which works on the feet to help heal the whole person and not
just the immediate symptoms of illness and stress. It can bring relief to a wide range of conditions and can assist in restoring and maintaining the body's natural balance. It is the application of pressure to particular points on the feet which correspond to the organs and systems within the body, and believes that any congestion or tension in any part of the foot is mirrored in the corresponding area of the body. It can also help with tired and weary
feet and the tension that has built up over the many years of carrying the entire weight
of the body, and the thousand of miles a person may walk in a lifetime! So relieving
these tensions can ease many aches and pains
The practitioner can detect tiny blockages and imbalances in the feet, and by working on
these points blockages can be released and the free flow of energy restored to the body.
Tensions are eased, circulation and elimination is improved, the body relaxes and the
nervous system is calmed. Many people use reflexology as a way of relaxing
and counteracting stress; at the same time many doctors, consultants and healthcare
professionals recognise it as a well-established, respected and effective therapy.
What the client can expect at the appointment
During the first session there will be a preliminary talk, looking at past and
present health, and any issues that may be relevant for the treatment (all of which is
confidential). Loose clothing should be worn for comfort and ease of movement.
The client will then be asked to remove footwear and socks and soak their feet in warm
water. They will then lie on a couch with their feet slightly raised. The first session is 1 1/4 hours and follow-up treatments are one hour.
What will happen in a session
During the treatment the practitioner will apply gentle and/or strong pressure and massage to the feet, toes and ankles, working on specific points and areas. This eases stiffness and tension, and breaks down any deposits that may have gathered between the joints and ligaments. The reflexologist can detect subtle changes in the feet as the treatment progresses, and by working on these points can effect change in the whole body. The application and the effect of the therapy are unique to each person.
How many sessions does the client need before they see a result
This depends very much on what the person feels they need. Sometimes one session
may be enough, or the practitioner may suggest a course of treatments if there are more
specific conditions to be looked at. Some people come to relax occasionally for an hour to
help them cope more easily with their busy lives, others come back on a regular basis.
As each person is an individual with varied needs and reactions, the number of treatments they need will vary.
Who would benefit from this type of therapy
Reflexology is suitable and safe for people of all ages, from the young to the elderly, and
helpful for wide range of acute and chronic conditions. Care should be taken during the
first three months of pregnancy and it is advisable that reflexology is avoided at this time.
Personal recommendations from previous clients
"I felt completely different after a few treatments, after years of hot and restless legs and feet, these symptoms have eased so much, and I am sleeping and walking so much better."