What can Reflexology do for me in the modern world?
Author: Blossom Robin
What is Reflexology? What benefits can it provide? With its roots in many cultures around the world, people are turning to Reflexology more and more as a way to rest, rejuvenate and most importantly re-set their nervous systems.
Image: Blossom treating a client’s foot
The world we live in can feel like a constant barrage of stress, bad news and worry. We were not meant to carry this weight and keep going and going.
There are so many nerves ending in our feet, it's no wonder Reflexology is highly regarded as one of the most relaxing complementary therapies around. As well as helping to encourage rest and relaxation, this wonderful treatment is often used for relieving anxiety and lifting mood. Perfect for supporting people through big life changes, like becoming a parent, changing career or ending a relationship for example.
Image: Blossom treating a client’s feet
As well as the better known reflexes for the organs of the body, did you know a practitioner can also work on reflexes for the solar plexus, Vagus nerve, hormone glands and many more making it a truly holistic treatment.
Reflexology, although usually working on the feet, can address areas of physical pain and discomfort elsewhere in the body. Anyone out there with tech-neck? As we all know, sitting for long periods of time in the same position and focusing on something close up, can lead to tightness in our necks, shoulders, hands and arms. By working through the reflexes for these points on the feet, Reflexology may help to release tension.
Who can have Reflexology treatments?
This is a very accessible treatment for all.
I can treat pregnant clients from 12 weeks onwards as long as all is well with the pregnancy and there are no complications.
Post natal we can start again as soon as you have been discharged from care (are home, if a hospital birth)
What does a session involve?
To start with, we would go through your medical history and talk about what is going on for you at that time as well as what you are hoping the reflexology will help with. Wearing loose fitting legwear, helps me to access the lower legs for a soothing massage to start the treatment. I then relax the feet with various massage techniques before working into specific reflex points, which may be tender. Any points that I found to be tight or tender, I would sit with and try to bring back into balance.
How will a treatment make me feel?
Many people report feelings of great release and sleepiness during and after a treatment, likening it to a dream-like state. Some reflexes may feel tender to the touch and when I work them there may be feelings elsewhere in the body, like the corresponding part of the body or a more general awareness of heat or energy moving around the body.
Often, people may leave a treatment feeling invigorated and lighter as well as a sense of calmness. It’s always a good idea to not plan anything after a treatment, so as to give your body time to respond and the treatment to settle.
Old symptoms, both physical and emotional may re-surface as a part of a healing response in the days after a reflexology treatment. These should be short lived and are a reminder of what we are holding in our bodies. Drinking plenty of water and resting after treatment is very important to help our bodies deal with this.