What is reflexology?

What is reflexology and how does it work?

Questions I get asked a lot as a reflexologist…

A bit about myself as a reflexologist…

I have been qualified as a reflexologist for a year now and when I get asked these questions I get excited to share my knowledge and my passion. I find reflexology fascinating and amazing at what I can find out about a person just from looking at and touching their feet.

I decided to study reflexology as my other work involves supporting children and adults with severe and complex needs and in this role I would massage their feet to stimulate circulation and encourage relaxation. I knew that there were pressure points on the feet that linked to the rest of the body so I went to learn more about this and found it so interesting. The best part of being a reflexologist is when people say they feel better than before the treatment. It is very rewarding to know I have made a positive difference to someone. Not only is it a therapeutic hands on treatment, it is also a safe place where clients often ‘get things off their chest’. I go with the flow of what each client needs, some just enjoy putting the eye mask on and falling asleep, others enjoy to have a chat.

A brief history…

Reflexology has been known to be around for thousands of years with Egyptian pictographs dating from 2330 BCE showing applying pressure to hands and feet and at a similar time the therapy was being practised in India and China. The therapy then travelled to the Western side of the world in early 1900s with American physician William Fitzgerald recognising that direct pressure on the feet could relieve pain within the body and named this zone therapy. It was then Eunice Ingham who used Fitzgeralds concept to develop further how the pressure points in the feet correspond to different parts of the body and that the feet represent a mirror image of the body and named this Reflexology.

What is reflexology…

Reflexology is a holistic healing method which involves applying pressure and massage of the reflex points found in the feet and the hands. These points then communicate with the corresponding parts of the body via the nervous system. Through the technique of thumb walking on the pressure points the therapist is able to release any blockages within the system of the body and encourage energy to flow freely and the body is able to return to a balanced harmony.

Within the foot is a map of the body, as shown above, and as a reflexologist when I am giving a treatment I don’t look at the foot as a ‘foot’, I see the body as a whole, I see and feel if someone has been through an emotional trauma, I can feel pains and aches within the body, blockages within the digestive system, release tension in the neck and shoulders and can even pin point the ears and the eyes. Every treatment amazes me at what I can find. The feet can with-hold stress longer than the actual body so if I find a blockage on a client and they say there is no problem with that particular area of the body I will ask some questions and once they have a think they remember a few weeks ago they had a cold for example and that’s why there is a blockage on their lungs even though they now feel fine. As well as past blockages reflexology encourages everything to flow better so if a client struggles with digestion for example they may find that after the treatment they are able to feel cleansed in this area.

How does reflexology work?

Reflexology is a relaxing non-invasive treatment and works by encouraging the systems of the body to flow better and release any blockages. The main result of a reflexology treatment is relaxation for the whole body and therefore can reduce stress and ease pain which has an impact on many illnesses. I have had clients say to me that they feel reflexology is actually better than a normal massage. Some clients say they feel almost energised after a treatment, while others say they feel really relaxed; all experiences of reflexology are different just like everyone’s body is different. During a treatment if I find a blockage in the feet I will work on this area using my thumbs and try and release the blockage using a method called hook up. The blockage may not be gone in the first session and it is recommended for a client to have between 4-6 treatments to see a difference. Reflexology cannot diagnose or cure but can assist with the client to relax and relieve pressure and tension within the body.

A lot of people are curious about reflexology as it is still a fairly new holistic therapy. If this is you get booked in for a treatment and keep a look out for my special offers on my Facebook- Faye Whelan Reflexology

and

Instagram- faye_whelan_reflexology

Treatments can be done in the salon or home visits can also be arranged. Treatments usually last between 45-60 minutes and a consultation form will be completed on first meeting. I mainly use an oil or cream during treatment to make the feet feel really soft and nourished. However, this isn’t always needed and treatment can be done without any medium.

Thank you for reading and hope to see you soon for a treatment 🙏

Any questions please don’t hesitate to ask ❣

Faye Whelan Reflexology 👣