By Caroline Verdi ARCB Reflexologist, LMT MA107748
Have you ever had a client who was highly resistant to settling down and relaxing? Use Reflexology! Perhaps you had a client with digestive issues, but they were not comfortable having their abdomen massaged? Use Reflexology! These are just a couple of examples among many that I could use to illustrate the uses and benefits of Reflexology.
In the 12 years that I have been a practicing ARCB certified Reflexologist, I have observed numerous positive, sometimes amazing results in my clients. Each win is a thrill. One benefit that I see above all is the client being put into a deeper state of relaxation than they have ever experienced before. I believe this is one of the main reasons that Reflexology prompts the body to achieve homeostasis on its own.
Reflexology, in simple terms, is using certain thumb and finger techniques on the ears, hands and feet on specific points and areas that correlate with every organ and system of the body to bring about healing and balance.
The best description I’ve heard was when a regular client of mine received Reflexology for the first time. He said, “It’s like everything in my body remembered what its’ job is.”! He really was on the mark with that statement.
Here are some examples of results I have seen over the years:
- Clients with restricted range of motion in their shoulders had improved ROM after only a few minutes of working their shoulder and arm reflexes.
- Neck pain & tension released just by working the neck, shoulder and diaphragm reflexes.
- Headaches gone within 10 minutes of working on the feet. In one case a woman was suffering from a migraine for weeks and left pain free.
- One client who had high blood pressure took her blood pressure after a session, and she was shocked to see it was normal.
- A client with asthma said she was having trouble clearing her lungs of congestion, so I emphasized her lung and bronchial reflexes. Next appointment she said she had gone home and coughed up phlegm. She was so surprised since she had been trying to clear her lungs for days.
- The most common feedback I receive after a reflexology session is “I feel like I just had a full body massage”.
When a client describes certain complaints and goals, reflexology can address issues “remotely” without working directly on the area of concern. Furthermore, it affects parts of the body that you cannot palpate or necessarily effect with massage.
Whether exclusively performing Reflexology or incorporating it into a massage session, it will surely help your clients in their healing journey. It may even bring about results in areas that previously have not shown improvement. I like to humorously think of it as a secret weapon.
If this is something you would like to add to your bodywork skills, please join me for my 16 CEU class:
Foot Reflexology Training for Massage Therapists/Advanced Clinical Practice
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 & Sunday, May 3rd 9am – 5pm
Florida School of Massage
$400 or $350 if registered by April 18th
