Reflexology
Reflexology is a complementary therapy which is rapidly growing in popularity due to its reputation for helping patients de-stress and relax. My clients have found it particular effective for
- PMT/PMS
- Headaches and Migraines
- Sinus problems (including sinus pain, sinusitis, and nasal congestion)
- Stress and Anxiety (including panic)
- Digestive disorders (including constipation, irritable bowel syndrome)
- Stiffness
- Depression
- Tiredness (including chronic fatigue syndrome)
- Pregnancy (including constipation,backache,pains,fluid retention and swelling)
Each Reflexology session lasts 1 hour and costs £35.00.
Scroll down to read the common questions my potential and existing clients ask about reflexology.
What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is a holistic treatment where pressure is applied to the feet using the hands. It was rediscovered in the 1920’s by an American doctor who utilised it for its pain relieving properties to perform minor operations without anaesthesia.
How can Reflexology help me?
Reflexology treats the whole person and a wide range of illnesses can be treated using reflexology. Conditions such as pre-menstrual tension, headaches, migraines, sinus problems, anxiety, tension, insomnia, digestive disorders, backache, stiffness and tension can all be helped. As a human being, you are a complex delicately balanced machine that is synergetic … everything working together for the benefit of all. When each part of you, mind, body & soul works in harmony, you feel at your peak. At a biological level, this harmony is achieved by a myriad of glands, organs, nerves, chemical etc and if one of these gets out of balance then the effects are felt through out the whole body. Reflexology restores a person’s harmony and instils a sense of well being.
What are the benefits of Reflexology?
- Relieving stress and tension
- Improving blood supply
- Unblocking nerve impulses
- Reducing pain
- Stimulating the body’s ability to heal itself
What can I expect during a Reflexology treatment?
A reflexology session lasts one hour. The client sits while pressure is applied with the hands to all areas of both feet so the whole body is treated. Imbalances in the body are detected as tender spots on the feet and normally these become less tender after a few minutes massage. However, it may not possible to remove all tender areas with one treatment.
Is Reflexology painful?
No. Some people feel nothing while others feel some mild sensations in their body. In either case the reflexology treatment is still effective.
What if I am ticklish?
If you tickle someone you use a very light pressure. During a Reflexolgy treatment I use a gentle but firm pressure to avoid tickling.
It is difficult to predict how many treatments are required to re-balance the body but in general, the patient should see some evidence of improvement after three treatments. The longer a patient has had a condition the more treatments will be required.
Some patients have monthly Reflexology treatments to help them manage their stress levels and as part of a preventative self-care program.
Is their any reason why I should not have Reflexology treatments?
Their are very few contra indications for Reflexology as it is a gentle non-invasive therapy. Reflexology is unsuitable if you have a contagious illness, fever, deep vein problems (including thrombosis), epilepsey or have under gone recent surgery.
How does Reflexology work?
The whole body is mapped to different reflex areas on the feet. By working on these reflex areas, a balancing affect can be brought about in the corresponding part of the body. The right foot corresponds to the right side of the body and the left foot the left side. By working on both feet the whole body and be brought back into harmony.
Are their any side effects of Reflexology?
The aim of reflexology is to restore harmony within the patient and instil a sense of well being. During a Reflexology treatment, some clients experience fleeting sensations in their body. As part of restoring the body to balance some patients may notice subtle changes in their appetite, changes to their sleeping pattern, dream more often, go to the loo more often or feel tired. All of these reactions are short lived and the vast majority of my reflexology clients simply report that they felt tired after the treatment and then slept better.
I am pregnant, is Reflexology safe?
Obviously when you are pregnant you want to make sure everything you do is safe for both you and your baby. Reflexology is generally considered safe if you are pregnant providing all is well with the pregnancy and you tell the Reflexologist you are pregnant.
Reflexology should be avoided Women with a risk of pre-eclampsia or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) should seek medical advice before having reflexology.
in the first term if you have a history of miscarrages
if you have been diagnosed with Placenta Previa
if you have been diagnosed with Hydroamnios
in the first term if you have a history of miscarrages
if you have been diagnosed with Placenta Previa
if you have been diagnosed with Hydroamnios
The Association of Reflexologists says, "Nearly everyone can benefit from having reflexology during pregnancy." The benefits include helping you cope with the emotional changes during pregnancy plus the physical changes to your body including tiredness. Reflexology also helps with the side effects of being pregnant e.g fluid retention, swelling, constipation, aches and pains including backache.
Reflexology can also help new mothers cope with the demands of their new baby.
How many Reflexology treatments will I need?
It is difficult to predict how many treatments are required to re-balance the body but in general, the patient should see some evidence of improvement after three treatments. The longer a patient has had a condition the more treatments will be required.
Some patients have monthly Reflexology treatments to help them manage their stress levels and as part of a preventative self-care program.
Is Reflexology available on the NHS?
Some fund-holding GP surgeries do recommend and pay for Reflexology for certain conditions.
What is the history of Reflexology?
A 2,300 B.C wall painting in the tomb of Ankmahor, known as the physicians’ tomb, shows a series practioners giving patients reflexology treatments. In addition, there is evidence that reflexology was known to some early African tribes and the American Indians.
Dr William Fitzgerald and American ENT (ear nose and throat) consultant rediscovered it in the early 1920s. He found that by applying pressure to reflex points on the feet, he could anaesthetize a patient’s ear and this enabled him to perform minor ear operations. Eunice Ingham, a nurse, publicised much of Dr Fitzgerald’s research by treating patients, lecturing and training practioners including Dorean Bayley who introduced the therapy into England in the early 1960s.
Where are you based?
Vitality Therapy is based in Harpenden and servers patients in the local area including St Albans, Redbourne, Hemel Hempstead and Watford.
| To book call Joanne on 07712 52 92 52 or email Joanne@VitalityTherapy.co.uk. |