Reflexology

What is it?

Reflexology is a complementary therapy which works on the feet to help restore the body's natural equilibrium.

Dating back to ancient Egypt and China, it wasn't until the early 1900's that this practice was introduced to the West under the term "zone therapy".

The idea is still the same today - that the application of pressure to reflex points on the feet for each zone can influence the function of muscles, glands and bones within that part of the body.

What to expect

During your first visit, the reflexologist with have an initial discussion with you to understand your health and lifestyle, past and present. They will then use their hands to start to apply direct pressure to specific areas of your feet, using small rotations. When the practitioner detects tension on a particular point, or if it's particularly tender or sensitive, they'll gently press to help release the blockage. This could indicate a build-up under the skin and an imbalance in the corresponding part of your body, so by releasing the congestion it could improve the blood supply and assist general well being!

What's it good for?

Reflexology is claimed to be effective for the following conditions:

  • Stress
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Menstrual problems
  • Digestive problems
  • Back pain
  • Arthritis

What happens afterwards?

It's important to rest for a while after treatment if you can, as reflexology not only makes you feel very relaxed but your body may respond in a specific way. You may feel lethargic or even a little tearful, but this is part of the process and you could benefit most from several sessions rather than a one-off. It's important to feed back to the practitioner how you feel afterwards, so they can tailor any further treatments to be specific to your needs.

Try it at home

To maximise the benefits of reflexology, ask to be shown some easy techniques that you can practise at home. For example firm pressure on the top of your big toe could help ease headaches, whilst pressing firmly in the centre of the sole of your foot for a few seconds might give a sudden energy boost.

Massage...

Coming soon!