WHAT IS FOOT REFLEXOLOGY?

Foot Reflexology is the holistic approach to wholeness through the feet. With the use of energy and manipulation of the foot reflexes, the client assisted by the therapist, goes into a state of relaxation, allowing the Spirit, Mind and Body to heal.

HISTORY

The practice of reflexology is based on a collection of theories and practices dating back thousands of years.The Incas of South America have been in tune with the earth and the universal energies for thousands of years and believe that your feet tell the stories of your life exposing all truths.

Another widely accepted theory is that the knowledge was passed to Native Americans by the Incas. The use of reflex pressure to heal has been practiced by Native Americans for generations. North Carolina's Cherokee have known the importance of feet in maintaining physical, mental and spiritual balance passing on this tradition for centuries.

Another widely held belief is that reflex therapy originated in China about 5,000 years ago, although there is no concrete evidence of it. However, the Egyptian and Babylonian cultures were developed before Chinese culture and a valuable piece of evidence was discovered in Egypt. A pictograph, dated around 2500-2330 BC, depicting the practice of both foot and hand reflexology, discovered in the tomb of an influential Egyptian physician, Ankmahor.

The knowledge of reflexology might have become non-existent if not for the inquiring medical minds of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Great people like Eunice Ingham who in the 1930's to the 1960s researched and promoted reflexology as we know it today. Today there are over 200 schools of Reflexology in North America with its many approaches and disciplines.

Mind Body Spirit Canada School has researched to find the most comprehensive approach, combining information from 3 schools therefore offering the student and practitioner an in-depth and complete training in Reflexology.

THE BENEFITS OF FOOT REFLEXOLOGY:

1. Reduces the level of stress
2. Increased circulation
3. Assists the body in returning to a state of balance
4. Works with all other modalities, traditional and conventional
5. Works the whole body affecting Mind, Body and Spirit

FOOT REFLEXOLOGY DOES NOT :

1. Diagnose
2. Prescribe
3. Treat for specific disease or illness
4. Encourage clients to discontinue medication

ON WHOM?

Foot Reflexology is for everyone. There are, however, changes in the session that are required for some special people:

1. Very young (newborn, etc.)
2. Very elderly
3. Very ill
4. Pregnant
5. Pre-surgery client
6. Post-surgery client
7. Heart patients
8. Diabetics

For these people, sessions should be shorter and can be done with a lighter touch. Much stroking and gentle massaging of the feet is encouraged.

HOW OFTEN?

Once every 48 hours for acute distress (this timing gives toxins released a chance to be eliminated by the body without too much stress).

For conditions of long standing (chronic) do a session once a week. Explain to the client that a condition which took a long time to build will take some time to be helped.

Herring's Law: If a person has a problem, allow at least three months to improve plus at least one more month for every year the person has had it.

For optimum general good health and preventative measures, once a month should be sufficient.

It is up to you and the client to decide when and how often to visit. When you start with frequent sessions, the goal should be to take care of the current situation and gradually increase the time between sessions until you reach the optimum of once a month.

Of course, it is ALWAYS the client's decision on how often sessions should be done.

LENGTH OF SESSION

First, we always do a full session and depending on your experience it will take between 45 minutes and one hour. The speed of your hand/finger/thumb movements should help relax the client - moving too quickly does not relax, it stimulates.

PRESSURE

The client and his/her responses are the best measure of what pressure is correct. It is important that the reflexes are reached and worked. Too light a pressure will not stimulate them. Pressure should be firm and gentle, enough to elicit a response in the reflex but with minimum discomfort.

WHAT AFFECTS TENDERNESS?

1. Tension, stress
2. Injury
3. Surgery
4. General or specific stress (80% of North American disease is related to stress)
5. Drugs - prescription and non-prescription
6. Illness
7. Localized phenomena such as callous, corns, poorly fit shoes, etc.

WHAT THE CLIENT DOES

I. The client removes only their shoes and socks
II. Ask the client to either lie down or sit comfortably in a chair for the session (depending on your setup)
III. Initial conversation is encouraged. Talking can be half of the benefit
IV. Complete a health history asking the client for the information
Allow the client to relax and enjoy the session.