Question 1

What is Clinical Reflexology?

Accepted Answer

Clinical Reflexology is not a spa treatment but is a complementary therapy that can help with the symptoms of a wide range of clinical conditions including, but not limited to:

Adults

·       Stress
·       Anxiety
·       Menopause 
·       Perimenopause
·       Fertility issues
·       Back and neck problems
·       Shoulder pain
·       Gut issues/constipation/IBS
·       Insomnia/sleep issues
·       Swelling/oedema 
·       Headaches/migraines
·       Chronic pain
·       Long Covid

Babies/Children/teens

The benefits of Reflexology for babies and children are endless. Reflexology works on the physical, emotional, and energetic aspects of a child’s wellbeing and has been seen to help with the following clinical conditions:

·       Colic
·       Digestive issues
·       Sleep issues
·       Anxiety
·       Bedwetting
·       Mood

Question 2

What are the benefits?

Accepted Answer

The amazing thing about reflexology is that it enables the body to heal itself.

Reflexology is about the body achieving “homeostasis” or “true balance”. Reflexology stimulates the body into healing itself by improving circulation, reducing stress, pain and restoring natural balance.

What does Reflexology do?

·       It helps you relax
·       It calms your mind
·       It improves your sleep
·       It relieves stress
·       It increases your energy
·       It strengthens your immune system
·       It improves circulation
·       It promotes an overall sense of wellbeing
·       Helps lift your mood

Essentially Reflexology enables your body to be the best in can be.

Question 3

What is the history?

Accepted Answer

Reflexology is an ancient treatment and was used before it was understood. It has been practiced by many of the ancient cultures including the North American Indians Chinese, Aboriginals and Egyptians. The results spoke for themselves and continue to do so.

Modern Reflexology is based around Zone Therapy. In 1893 Sir Henry Head proved a neurological relationship between the skin and internal organs and A. Cornelius wrote the book “Pressure Points – Their Origin and Significance”. Shortly after this, Dr William Fitzgerald was looking for an alternative to traditional anaesthetics and during his research he developed a new system of ten zones running from the top of the head to the tip of the toes and hands. An article published entitled “To Stop a Toothache, squeeze your toe” brought Fitzgerald’s work to the attention of Dr Joe Shelby Riley who in turn worked alongside Eunice Ingham who is affectionately known as the “Mother of Reflexology”. It was Eunice Ingham that painstakingly mapped all of the reflexes to the foot and created the chart that Reflexologists across the globe work from today. Eunice Inghams nephew, Dwight Byers, taught Tony Porter who in turn taught my teacher, Hagar Basis. I am proud to say that my techniques have direct lineage to the “Mother of Reflexology”, Eunice Ingham!

Question 4

What are the theories?

Accepted Answer

The Theories around how reflexology works are very much in debate but those who reap the benefits know that it does. A brief synopsis of some of the theories are as follows:

Nerve Impulse Theory

It is estimated that there are 7,000 nerve endings in our feet which are all stimulated during reflexology. By stimulating reflex points, reflexology is said to help clear the associated nerve pathways so that nerve impulses can be transported effectively and the body performs to its potential leading to improved wellbeing.

The Crystal Deposit Theory/Energy Block Theory

Crystal deposits are made up of uric acid and calcium crystals and may be felt as small grains when working the feet. The theory is that this creates congestion and the body cannot work at its optimum. Reflexology can be used to work these crystals out to restore the normal circulation to the affected part of the body, restoring health. Many examples of this can be found in Eunice Ingham’s ground-breaking book “Stories the Feet Can Tell Through Reflexology”.

Along similar lines these deposits can be said to block the free flow of energy that pulsates from the ground. The Reflexologist is said to unblock the pathways thereby enabling energy to flow more freely and restoring good health. Hence after treatment the person will feel more “grounded”.

Proprioceptive Theory

The Proprioceptive Theory purports that reflexology stimulates the proprioceptive pressure receptors in the feet which in turn leads to a response by the Central Nervous System. Information is passed to the brain regarding position and sensation of the body and the brain responds to the reposition with the relaxation of the muscles and thereby a feeling of relaxation and rebalance.

Pain Gate Theory

This theory is based on the premise that there is a “gate” mechanism in the Central Nervous System that opens to let pain messages through to the brain and closes to prevent them getting through. It is said that applying touch such as reflexology, to an area corresponding to the pain decreases the pain because touch stimulates the large fibre diameters which in turn close the “gate”.

Endorphin Release Theory

Endorphins are the natural opiates of the body. The Endorphin Release Theory is that Reflexology releases endorphins (found in the thalamus, hypothalamus and pituitary gland) into the body. High endorphin levels mean that we feel less pain, suffer fewer negative effects of stress and experience lightening of mood.

Question 5

Further research

Accepted Answer

For further reading on research carried out in relation to the benefits of Reflexology visit www.pubmed.com and enter the key term “Reflexology”.

Frequently asked questions

What is Clinical Reflexology?

What are the benefits?

What is the history?

What are the theories?

Further research