Reflexology
Are you stressed? Do you feel tired all the time? Perhaps you’re just feeling out of balance? A relaxing, foot massage using key reflex points can bring your body and energy system into balance again.
How does Reflexology Work?
Reflexology dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt and other ancient civilisations who understood the interconnectedness of mind and body. Modern day reflexology stems from the science and art of zone therapy and incorporates influences from energetic massage, meridian theory and other energy-based modalities. Reflexology is based on the theory of ‘reflexes’, specific points typically found on the feet and hands, but which can also be found on the ears, face and other parts of the body.
To the reflexologist each ‘reflex’ will show a reflection of the specific part of the body which can be manipulated/worked to help balance out the corresponding body part. As a rudimentary example, in reflexology the big toe represents the head of the person being treated, with a number of different reflexes located here, including reflexes for the pituitary gland, pineal gland and inner ear. If the client had headaches the big toe would be one of the areas to focus on, along with other reflexes that may be causing the headache (e.g. the spine and endocine system for tension headaches, or the digestive system for headaches brought on by food sensitivites etc…).
The feet (or hands) act as a map of the whole body with each ‘reflex’ mirroring different organs and parts of the body. By stimulating/balancing an individual reflex a ‘reflex response’ is generated. At the level of the nervous system this is an involuntary response that occurs when no energy blockages are present. Stimulating different points on the feet sets in motion impulses to the body’s cells and organs which affect a change in the nervous system. Reflexology works with the energy system by working out and releasing blockages through the zones and meridian lines and facilitating improved energy flow, so that the body can then repair itself.
Foot Reflexology works with the entire body through a system of reflexes located entirely on the feet. By working on the feet, the reflexologist releases stress or blockages held in the physical and energy bodies which can in turn have a positive effect not only on the physical body, but also at a deeper level affecting the individual’s energy, thoughts and emotions in order to bring about a state of balance, or homeostasis.
About your treatment with Jennifer
Jennifer is a skilled reflexologist and energy healer who brings a sense of inner calm and balance to all who come to see her. Clients often leave feeling lighter, refreshed and rejuvenated, with a new sense of well-being and renewed aspirations.
If it is your first time with Jennifer, the treatment will last for 90 minutes. The session includes an in-depth consultation to take your personal history and ensure the treatment is tailored to your needs. Follow up sessions can either form part of a complete treatment plan or be stand-alone for relaxation and balance.**
“A one hour reflexology session left me feeling very calm and relaxed… having started the session feeling quite stressed, within about 15 minutes I had entered a dream-like, meditative state. A few hours after the treatment, I felt totally re-energised. Jennifer has magical hands which manage to simultaneously combine pressure with gentleness. I have no idea how it works, but it does!” TP
Why Reflexology
Reflexology is primarily used as a holistic therapy addressing a wide range of health concerns such as stress, anxiety, illness, pre-menstrual symptoms, back pain, indigestion, fatigue, IBS, and depression.
Additionally it can help relieve strain from daily wear and tear on the feet, especially since modern footwear tends to restrict the natural movement of he foot and reduce its ability to ‘breathe’. Have you noticed just how pleasant it is to take off your shoes when coming home from a stressful day?
In ancient times we stimulated reflexes naturally by walking barefoot over rocks, stones and rough ground, and by using our hands to climb and do manual work. In today’s modern world we seem to have lost much of nature’s way of maintaining a balanced and healthy equilibrium, so reflexology helps to restore this balance and promote natural health and vitality.
Foot Reflexology can help replace the natural massaging effects of walking barefoot and the techniques stimulate nerve endings in the feet which in turn have health benefits for the entire body. Foot reflexology invigorates tired, aching and sore feet, leaving your feet fresh, attractive and tingling and you feeling better all over.
Some benefits of Reflexology
These include:
- Relaxation and Stress Relief
- Improved Circulation
- Pain Relief
- Restoring energy flow
- Stimulation of the immune and nervous systems
- Improving elimination of toxins in the body
- Stimulating the body’s own healing processes
- Encouraging a feeling of well-being
- Improved balance between body, mind and spirit.
What to Expect
Treatments begin with a consultation, discussing the individual’s medical history as well as their needs and expectations. On the first treatment clients are asked to give their written consent for the treatment and minors need to have consent from a legal guardian.
All clients are asked to remove their shoes and socks for the treatment, but otherwise remain fully clothed, and corn starch is applied to the feet as a medium before the treatment begins. Clients are asked to lie down on a lafuma reclining chair and completely relax in order to gain full benefit. Treatments typically end with some deep breathing, guided by the practitioner.
Reflexology can often bring about emotional release and individuals are fully encouraged to embrace any feelings that come up. Clients who additionally receive Reiki as part of the treatment commonly experience tingling or heat flowing through the feet and the energy body, and may even see beautiful colours or hear music; there may be a need to laugh or cry as the emotional body releases further stored patterns.
On the whole clients find a reflexology treatment stimulates deep relaxation and a sense of feeling reconnected with oneself and the world again. Individuals can feel either rejuvenated or very relaxed at the end of a session, depending on what the body needs. If the client feels tired, they will usually feel more energetic once they have rested enough.
“I’m one of many working mums that never stop, so I thought I would never find time for a reflexology massage. Since Jennifer gave me my first ever reflexology treatment, I’m always looking forward to booking in and having another one! The massage is incredibly relaxing and my mind calms right down. My tensions and worries disappear as a warm flow of energy runs from my head to my toes. It’s just what I need to listen to my body and care for my soul. Thanks Jennifer!” BD
Jennifer’s treatments are heavily influenced by the Ingham method as taught by the London School of Reflexology, but also incorporate other massage techniques and Reiki to form a more complete treatment. Learn more about Jennifer’s approach to well-being and book a treatment today!
The History of Reflexology
The painting bears the inscription “Don’t hurt me” and the response “I shall act so you praise me”. Reflexology has also been linked to Ancient traditions in Chinese, Indian, Japanese, and Russian civilisations.
Modern reflexology has absorbed influences from many of these cultures including influence from Western Science and holistic medicine.
From a Western standpoint the science of reflexology began with the work of Henry Head and Dr William Fitzgerald who developed Zone Therapy in 1913. Dr Fitzgerald discovered that the application of pressure at one point of the body could have an anaesthetising affect on a distant site. Fitzgerald’s experiments included the use of pegs on fingers and toes to anaesthetise specific areas of the body.
Dr Joe Shelby Riley worked with Fitzgerald to further this research expanding on his theories to develop a diagram of zone therapy on the feet. Dr Riley went on to work with Eunice Ingham in the 1930’s using Zone therapy. Ingham’s research went beyond the scope of zone therapy and the purely anaesthetic use of pressure, to the theory that alternating pressure on certain points could have further therapeutic effects on the body.
Eunice Ingham, now known as the “mother of reflexology”, mapped the entire body onto the feet, focusing particularly on the feet due to the responsiveness of this area of the body, these points are now known as ‘reflex’ points. There are multiple branches of modern reflexology taught today. Current reflexology techniques continue to be widely influenced by the Ingham Method and largely use the feet (and to a lesser extent the hands) to carry out treatments.
The art and practice of reflexology however is much wider than the scientific theory and discoveries detailed above. Practitioners draw upon an understanding of the mechanisms of the circulatory system, zone therapy and reflex points as well as the principles of holistic medicine and the heritage from ancient civilisations to give a complete energy treatment.
