How can Clinical Reflexology help?

Clinical Reflexology can assist with a wide variety of physical ailments, emotional issues and imbalance. Deep relaxation and the release of muscle tension and stress are common benefits, while Reflexology can also improve mood, sleep, boost the immune system and act as a support to existing medical care and treatments. While even a one-off session can bring about substantial benefits, a regular course of weekly sessions may result in a profound sense of well-being as the body gradually returns to a state of homeostasis. It is the combination of an empathetic one-to-one listening environment followed by caring and supportive touch on the feet as the client relaxes back in a cosy, fully reclining chair that makes a Reflexology treatment such a restorative and healing experience.

Is Reflexology a new complementary therapy?

The answer is quite simply no; there is evidence to suggest that Reflexology techniques date back more than two thousand years. Many ancient civilisations, from Egypt to India and China, were aware of the many health benefits of stimulating specific points on the hands and feet. Modern-day Reflexology began in the US and was developed into today’s practice around 100 years ago by Dr William Fitzgerald, who mapped the body into ten vertical zones that extended through the length of the body. His findings concluded that when pressure was applied to the feet on a zone that corresponded with the location of an injury, patients could experience pain relief during minor surgeries. Dr Shelby Riley further developed Fitzgerald’s work by mapping horizontal zones going across the body, as well as producing a detailed map of reflex points on the feet and hands. Eunice Ingham, often referred to as the Mother of Reflexology, worked alongside Dr Riley as a physiotherapist, and found the feet to be the most sensitive and responsive area to work with in her study of zone therapy. As a result, she was able to develop foot maps and Reflexology charts that are still in use today. Doreen Bayley trained with Ingham and finally brought Reflexology to the UK in 1966, after which it rapidly spread throughout Europe and beyond.

What is a session like?

Prior to the first treatment, an in-depth initial consultation is conducted and a full medical history taken, to ascertain how a client may best be helped. The client will be asked to sign a consent form, with all information stored confidentially and securely in full compliance with GDPR requirements. Using the information gathered, an individually tailored, bespoke course of treatments is designed to meet the client’s specific needs. Reflexology is in fact a very easy therapy to receive, as only shoes and socks are removed. Each session lasts 60 to 90 minutes and always begins with a brief discussion, after which the client is invited to relax back in a fully reclining chair while the therapist gets to work on their feet or hands, performing relaxation techniques and applying gentle pressure to specific points. Most clients feel a deep sense of calm and relaxation during a treatment, and some can become slightly cold. Towels, pillows, lumbar support and a blanket are provided for extra comfort.

How do most clients feel after a treatment?

Response to treatment is highly individual, and it is important to give feedback to the therapist during the discussion part of each session so that the treatment plan can be further tailored to the client’s evolving needs. It is common for people to start feeling a sense of increased relaxation and improved well-being after just one or two sessions, and many clients find that their sleep patterns improve too. Some clients may find themselves feeling lethargic, nauseous or even emotional in the early stages of a course of treatments, but this is usually transitory, forming part of the healing process as the body begins its journey back to a state of homeostasis.

How many sessions are needed?

Reflexology tends to be a highly relaxing and restorative therapy; therefore, even a one-off treatment may have tremendous benefit. However, clients who are dealing with specific ailments or other issues of physical or emotional imbalance will generally benefit most from a course of 6 to 8 once-weekly treatments, at which point a progress review is conducted. Once the treatment goals have been achieved, individuals can move onto monthly maintenance sessions as a way of maintaining the health benefits they have received.