Hypnotherapy

Reflexology

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Physiotherapy

Reflexology is an alternative therapy used to maintain our bodies in a preventative form. Reflexology is performed using the hands to manipulate certain areas of our hands and feet that correspond to specific organs of our body. Although reflexology has existed for some time there has been little scientific research to investigate is capabilities.

Origins

Evidence of early reflexology practices can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt. Reflexology in its modern from finally emerged in the 1920s with the work of Dr William Fitzgerald in America.

Fitzgerald's treatments were centred on the practice he developed known as zone theory. He initially started working around the nose and found that pressure applied to certain areas would produce a numb feeling in other parts of the body. This corresponding reaction was known as a reflex and as other points of the body were investigated, reflexology developed further.

Fitzgerald's zone theory was later developed by Eunice Ingham around the 1940s into the form of reflexology we are familiar with today. This was mainly by focussing the techniques on corresponding areas of the hands and feet to provide more accurate therapy.

Benefits

Reflexology is a unique treatment that can be used to benefit a number of conditions. Reflexology does not diagnose or cure specific disorders but does instead promote better well being.

After a course of reflexology the recipient should feel an improvement in their health and outlook to a similar degree as the results of a diet or new exercise routine. Depending on the complaint of the person receiving therapy they can expect to find relief from a blocked nose or bad cough, more supple joints, better sleep and general stress relief.

Treatment

When a client first visits a reflexology centre they will be asked general questions about their health to gauge the extent or origin of the complaint. The practitioner will then start the treatment by examining the client's feet to find any areas of tension.

A trained practitioner can view our feet as a map of our body with certain areas relating to specific organs and systems of the body. The left and right feet represent both sides of our body so as a massage covers the area of both feet it is said to carry the effects over our whole body. Using this unique method the symptoms of a condition can be treated at the same time as the problem itself.

The practitioner will massage the feet predominantly using their thumb to apply pressure. The massage will help the practitioner to find deposits of waste substances in sensitive areas of the feet. As the massage progresses the waste substances become further broken down and flow away from troubled areas with more ease. As the whole foot is massaged the client's attention will be drawn to affected areas which will feel tender whilst being massaged. The tender areas can then be identified by the practitioner for further attention.

A session of treatment usually lasts from half an hour to an hour and is a painless, relaxing experience which makes the area around the feet feel warmer. Clients may book further sessions of therapy depending on the severity of the complaint.

Following a session recipients may feel the activity of their body increasing as it actively purges more toxins from their system. The effects should not be severe if the treatment has been carried out correctly. The benefits will be experienced in a welcoming manner as the body becomes reenergized.