I’m noticing that interest in self-care is growing. It seems more and more people are taking their health into their own hands. Perhaps it’s a result of the increase in positive media coverage regarding natural health care benefits, the rising cost of western medicine, the economic environment, the unwelcome side effects of allopathic approaches, or the failure of conventional medicine’s promise to cure people’s ills. Or maybe all of the above. Following along with that thought, I’m also noticing a growing number of laypeople inquiring if I would teach them reflexology. It seems more and more folks are interested in the results they’ve read about and are having difficulty finding therapists who can offer true reflexology and not just a foot massage. Some of these interested persons even attend my workshops along with their massage therapists! So, what’s the buzz all about? Different people seek out reflexology out of curiosity, but most do so for very specific reasons: either their feet or hands hurt, they’re extremely stressed and/or they’re experiencing problems with some organ or body system malfunction. And what dysfunctions can reflexology help? There are many, and I’ll share just a few of them here – all of which I have personal experience with. If you’re interested, you can read research studies completed by some of my certification grads on those conditions listed below with an * next to them. The website is www.academyofancientreflexology.com/casestudies/index.html
- Headaches – I’ve never had a headache present that didn’t either vanish or wasn’t significantly lessened after a reflexology session, with or without massage done afterwards. Even better when combined with contrast hydrotherapy.
- Constipation – Flushing the cells of the digestive system with oxygen and relaxing the mind and involuntary muscles of the alimentary canal almost always provides the desired results.
- Cancer* – Reflexology is a wonderful gift to be able to extend to another human being facing fear and discomfort from cancer. I gave my father regular foot reflexology sessions during the weeks before cancer took his life. Much research exists on the positive effects of reflexology with people dealing with cancer and its treatments. Pain and nausea are reduced, sleep and appetite improved, energy increased, as well as a general improvement in mental and emotional outlook.
- Sinus congestion or infection – Sometimes it happens right on the table, but most often once the client gets vertical again. The sinuses drain clear. Good for respiratory allergies and headaches caused by sinus congestion.
- Diabetes* – Reflexology can really help someone manage their blood sugar by supporting healthy functioning of the endocrine system. It also helps with maintaining health in the nerve endings in the feet. I have even worked with people who, with their doctor’s supervision, have been able to take themselves off diabetic medication. (Note: These people were also committed to a healthy diet and exercise program.)
- Depression – Reflexology was first used in Russia hundreds of years ago as a treatment for psychiatric conditions. Clients living with depression have often told me that what I do is as therapeutic, if not more so, than their talk therapy. One man described how much he received from just “feeling and trusting” his body, without having to analyze or understand any of what was happening.
- Fibromyalgia* – The combination of reflexology and massage (reflexology first) is very powerful. I’ve tried each separately and it never compares with the added benefit of doing both modalities together to reduce inflammation and encourage a good night’s sleep.
- Female reproductive disorders* – such as endometriosis, PMS, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea are all helped with reflexology. I’ve worked with clients as young as 13 and as old as 76 – age doesn’t matter.
If you would like to add foot reflexology training to your professional arsenal, I invite you to join our group at FSM on July 14 and 15. For details of the training and to register please visit this link: www.academyofancientreflexology.com/reflexology-workshops-classes-1.html#reflex
