What is a foot reflexology treatment like?

Before beginning your first reflexology treatment you will be asked to fill out a health record to help the reflexologist identify health problems that may be causing your symptoms.

To begin the treatment the reflexologist will cleanse your feet with a natural antiseptic solution. You will be asked to get into a comfortable position on your back on a massage table, possibly with a pillow under your feet. Once you are comfortable she will do some warm-up exercises to assess flexibility and promote relaxation. You will be asked to take some deep breaths, then your left foot will be wrapped in a towel. The reflexologist will apply a small amount of oil to your foot (please advise your reflexologist if you have any allergies), then proceed to apply thumb and finger pressure to work the reflexes in a systematic manner covering the complete foot, ankle and lower leg.

The towel will then be transferred to the right foot and the left foot will be worked in the same manner.

To finish the treatment she will go back over any areas where you felt tenderness or discomfort and areas that relate to the symptoms you are experiencing, then will end with a finishing massage with a bit more oil for relaxation.

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How long does a treatment take?

A complete foot reflexology treatment usually takes about 1 hour. You should allow 1 hour and a half for your first treatment.

Does a reflexology treatment hurt?

You may have sensitive reflexes in your feet in areas where there are blockages or in reflexes for organs that have imbalances. You should advise your reflexologist if it hurts, and she can adjust the pressure according to your tolerance level.

How often can I have a treatment?

It is recommended to wait at least 48 hours between treatments to avoid severe toxin release symptoms.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments you get depends on you. If you are not seeking treatment for any particular problem, book your treatments as desired. If you are seeking treatment for a particular problem, I would recommend 6-8 treatments to give it a fair trial. Generally the longer the problem has existed, the more treatments it takes to resolve it. Usually it will take one month of treatments for every year the condition has existed.

For acute conditions it is recommended that you have 3 treatments per week for 2 weeks, 2 treatments per week for 2 weeks, 1 treatment per week for 2 weeks, then once a month for maintenance.

For chronic conditions, as often as is needed to regulate the condition without regression.

In the case of degenerating conditions such as MS, Cancer, Parkinson’s it is recommended to move sessions closer together as necessary for comfort as the condition progresses.

Are there benefits to maintenance treatments?

Without maintenance treatments the improvement noted as a result of the treatments may be lost as time passes if the treatments were not continued long enough to completely resolve it or if it is a chronic condition.

Will I have side effects?

Detoxification is a cleansing process whereby the body seeks to cleanse itself as the organs are stimulated to bring the body into balance. Most people experience very few symptoms, if any. However, if many toxins have been accumulated in the body they must be released before normal function can be restored. Release of toxins is a positive sign that the treatments are working, but can be somewhat unpleasant. Some toxins that may need to be released include: chemical preservatives and food additives, environmental toxins from the air we breathe, residues from smoking or drug use, parasites, products of illness or infections, products of faulty digestion, chronic yeast overabundance.

The release of such toxins can cause symptoms such as:

• Increased urination
• dark or strong smelling urine
• rash, sweating
• pimples and other skin conditions
• increased mucous production
• bad breath
• headache
• dizziness
• disrupted sleep patterns-depression, moodiness
• fatigue
• constipation/diarrhea

To avoid or minimize symptoms drink plenty of water and get adequate rest after treatments. Any symptoms should subside within 48 hours after the treatment. If they do not you should contact your reflexologist.

Will reflexology make my feet sore?

No. Often people are concerned that their feet will be sore after a foot reflexology treatment. This is not the case. In fact if they were sore before, they will generally feel relieved after the treatment.

What health problems can reflexology help?

Reflexologists do not claim to cure. Reflexology treatments increase circulation and relaxation and help bring the body into balance, a state where it can do its best self-healing for any problem that exists. For this reason it can address many health problems. Contact me if you have questions about a specific problem and I will provide you with more information.

Can I stop my medications if I am having reflexology treatments?

No. Do not make any changes to your medication without consulting your physician. If you are taking medications for certain conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure or thyroid you should make your physician aware that you are having treatments and ask that levels be monitored as he/she may need to adjust your medication accordingly as your body balances itself.

Can I have reflexology treatments if I have a thrombosis or blood clot?

No. Reflexology is contraindicated when blood clots are present. This is the only contraindication for reflexology. The reason for this contraindication is that because reflexology improves circulation there is a slight possibility that this could result in a clot being moved in the bloodstream. If you have any type of blood-clotting disease or are at high risk for blood clots check with your physician before booking a reflexology session.

How can I have foot reflexology if I have ticklish feet?

Despite over 7000 nerve endings in each foot, even in those people who have ticklish feet, reflexology does not usually tickle. If you are particularly ticklish in your feet tell your reflexologist before treatment begins, and she will be able to desensitize your feet so that they are not ticklish during the treatment. The specific pressurized therapeutic intent of reflexology has allowed even the most ticklish people to thoroughly enjoy their session.

Can I have reflexology treatments if I am pregnant?

Unless especially trained for reflexology during pregnancy, most reflexologists will not treat someone who is pregnant during the first trimester. During the rest of the pregnancy reflexology can help the body attend to it’s extra and normal functions and help to relieve unpleasant symptoms associated with pregnancy. It also benefits the unborn baby. More specifically, the benefits of reflexology during pregnancy are the following:

• Supports organs as they do more work than usual.
• Works on the baby reflex.
• Helps mom relax.
• Helps locally on sore, tired or swollen feet or ankles
• Works structurally (back, hips, etc).
• Promotes circulation of blood and lymph which also benefits the baby.
• Reflexology can support a woman’s health following the event of a miscarriage, encouraging the body to normalize its functioning, aids in hormonal balance, reduces stress and has a balancing effect on all aspects of health-emotional, mental and spiritual processes.

Will my insurance pay for reflexology sessions?

Reflexology is covered by some insurance companies, but not many. I am registered as a provider with Blue Cross and Greenshield. Keep in mind that each plan is individual so you will need to check with your insurance provider to see if reflexology is included in your plan. Your reflexologist, or the secretary can provide you with a request form to request of your employer to add reflexology to your plan.