Reflexology

Reflexology is a complementary or alternative medical treatment. This means a number of things, but one is that it has not "yet" been recognised by the main stream medical profession. This does not however mean that it does not work or does not have a value.

Reflexology uses a form of massage that is applied to the reflex areas found in the hands and primarily the feet. The belief in reflexology is that these reflex areas relate to the entire body with the left foot corresponding to the left side of the body and the right foot corresponding to the right side of the body.

Reflexology is very much a holistic therapy where the whole body can be treated.

The history of this therapy dates back thousands of years and was used in ancient civilisations like those of the Egyptian and Chinese Empires, however it was not introduced into the western world until the last century.

What reflexology treats

Reflexology does not address any given set of medical problems or conditions, however it can be used to treat a wide array of varying medical complaints.

Symptoms addressed by reflexology can include anything from digestion difficulties to head aches and back discomfort.

It is important if you are considering a complementary therapy to have your symptoms checked out by a doctor or physician first.

What to expect from a therapy session

At a first therapy session the patient will be asked for a medical history following which their feet will be examined.

If a first treatment is given it will involve the feet being massaged, normally with pressure applied from the thumb (and sometimes the fingers). Certain parts of the feet will be identified as corresponding with the problem areas of the body and these will be treated specifically.

It is not uncommon for the parts of the feet that correspond to the symptomatic parts of the body to feel tender or sensitive during the treatment.

Most treatment sessions last about three quarters of an hour and the patient should feel relaxed once the session is completed. The duration of treatment (i.e. multiple sessions) will vary depending upon the symptoms and the patient’s reaction to the therapy. This should be discussed with the practitioner.