On-Line Reflexology Training & Certification
Reflexology Educators, Mentors and Coaches since 1991
Acupuncture and Reflexology are very similar. They both use a collection of procedures which involves the stimulation of points on the body using a variety of techniques. It is among the oldest healing practices in the world.
Acupuncture uses needles and Reflexology uses finger and thumb pressure. Reflexology and acupuncture both use the energy circuits in the body. Read Full Article…
1. You are really stressed – taking time to take care of yourself is a step in the right direction
2. You stand on your feet all day – your whole body may be tired not just your feet – reflexology treats the whole body
3. You are a runner – this is a great exercise but can leave you with achy tired feet
4. You have diabetes – if you are a diabetic your feet may lose their sensation – regular reflexology can increase their comfort
5. You are pregnant – who doesn’t want to be pampered – comfort is the key – regular sessions can relieve swollen feet and an achy back
6. You have digestive issues – good elimination is the backbone of good health – reflexology gently balances the systems
7. You have cold feet – reflexology can offer a kick start helping with blood flow and will help warm up the feet
8. You have insomnia – reflexology is relaxing and helps let your active mind take a break
9. Nothing else has worked for you – reflexology helps the body to reach a state of homeostasis and encourages the body to heal – many symptoms can be alleviated by making reflexology a part of your regular wellness routine.
10. You are cleaning up your diet – reflexology will gently help the transition from an “unhealthy to healthy state” as you slowly eliminate toxins from the body.
One of the most common questions we are asked is why are there so many different Reflexology charts, and which one is the correct one. Most charts are based on reiteration or a mirror image of the body. Zones are used to divide the body into ten segments. A grid like system corresponds each and every body part onto the feet and hands.Read Full Article…
BEING a self confessed shopaholic, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is certainly one of the spots not to be missed but each time I happen to be in the area, eager promoters from the rows of reflexology centres would appear without fail to coax me into trying it out.
Every time they come to ask me if I need foot reflexology, I would shake my head and walk straight into an adjacent shopping centre, all because I thought it was a “thing’’ more suitable for the elderly. Thinking that my friends would all probably laugh their heads off, I thought I would put a foot massage aside until I really needed it. Like if I ever had to play football and sprained my foot, then it would be appropriate to visit and not get laughed at.
It wasn’t until I was asked recently if I had ever tried getting a foot reflexology treatment that I went around asking my colleagues if they had ever tried it. To my surprise, most of them had and they enjoyed it too.
Last weekend, I tagged along with a colleague to get my feet massaged for the first time at Happy Feet Foot Reflexology centre. The dimly lit room accommodated more than 20 reclining chairs and I took a corner seat next to my colleague.
The foot reflexologist assigned to massage my feet then came with warm towels and a tray of foot powder, lotion and oils.
My feet were cleaned with the warm towels before Fung Tow Lan wrapped my right foot with a towel and began spreading lotion on my left foot.
At first, I felt ticklish when the massaging lotion was evenly spread on my foot. He then began rubbing the sole of my foot and when it came to certain points, it was extremely painful and Fung glanced at me and asked, “You have a sweet tooth, right?” I could only nod in agreement as I thought of my fondness for cakes and pastries. But how did he know?
He explained that there were certain formations on the foot soles, which can be felt when he massaged it that indicated the conditions of one’s health.
“We are not doctors but we are like messengers telling our customers which area of their body that they should pay more attention to,” said the 57-year-old.
He advised me on the dangers of diabetes and how I could prevent it at a young age. The massage went on to my toes which he said I was a person who had enough sleep which he thought was a good sign.
I also did not tell Fung that I was down with flu but he managed to find out that my nose was giving me some problems and that I should take more fruits.
Besides that, Fung, who is a keen student of Chinese herbs, also gave advice on what herbs I could try. For instance, he recommended a cup of warm water with red dates as an excellent source of vitamin C. Fung moved on to the next foot before ending 30mins later. Both my feet were then brushed with powder to prevent them from being too oily.
I realized most of what Fung said was true. Our feet may have more than 70 points with different indications while most of us do not even know that it could actually foretell our health conditions quite accurately.
Fung, who has been in the industry for eight years, said that a session of foot massage was equivalent to an hour of exercise and it is also good for blood circulation.
He also added that it was not only meant for the elderly or athletes but his customers ranged from school-going children as it helps them to de-stress as well. “Children would often come for a foot reflexology especially during the school examination period as it helps them to relax,” laughs Fung.
After the foot massage, Fung said that it is advisable to drink a cup of lukewarm water to detoxify ones body. At least for now, I know that I would be cutting down on my sugar intake for sure.
Source: thestar.com.my 27 February 2007
The Comparison of Curative Effects between foot reflexology and Chinese traditional medicine in treating 37 cases with Male Sexual Dysfunction
By Sun Jianhua, Health station of Qianjin Clothing Factory, Shanghai
Thirty-seven men (aged 22 – 50 years) with sexual dysfunction (course of disease ranged from 3 months to 4years) were randomly assigned to two groups. One group (18) treated with daily 30-minute foot reflexology sessions, the other group (19) treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Treatments were for at least one month.
The effective rate for the group treated with foot reflexology was 94.7%; for the group treated with traditional Chinese medicine 94.4%. No statistical difference between the curative effect of these two groups was found. The authors note that foot reflexology had the advantages of being easy and inexpensive.
I was very excited. It was a week that I would never forget – it was the first week of my new Reflexology practice and my promotion had already created two customers. My very first customer won a session at “half-price” for coming in second. Actually it wasn’t such a big deal, that is coming in second. Everybody who entered my contest and didn’t win the grand prize, won second prize – a full Reflexology session at half-price.
The grand prize winner booked her “freebie”, and became my second client. My promotion was working three days at a major health expo with 50 other Reflexologists. First prize was a free Reflexology session.
At the end of the show I received all the entries from my market area. I drew one for the first prize and called all the others as winners of the “second” prize. Well, the “freebie” lady was a challenge – loud, miserable, demanding, unclean and the list goes on. She presented with several health challenges, walked with a cane and had a medical diagnosis of diabetes type II.
During the “free” session she made it clear right from the start that my pressure was far too light. Her words were “more pressure!!!!!” and complained through the entire session “I can’t feel you!” and “push harder”.
As a rookie Reflexologist I did my best to comply. In fact, this is a whole other topic on looking after yourself. Following the session she advised that she would not likely be back as it wasn’t as good a session as she had hoped. That was the best news I could have had. In the meantime, my thumbs were in pain and I was miserable. Thank God, I had no other clients booked in my first week of business as I needed time to recuperate. I even questioned what I was doing in this field.
After a couple of days I changed my attitude. I decided that this was a great learning experience for me and in my own way I sent her thanks for the lesson.
Since the internet in those days was not yet readily available, I headed down to my local library and researched fabulous information about diabetes type II. Through all the reading, one particular symptom caught my eye. Many diabetic patients had a condition in which their feet and extremities lacked sensitivity from mild to extreme levels. This condition is called Neuropathy.
Now, isn’t that interesting. My “freebie” client was probably giving me accurate information that she could not feel my touch on her feet. Then she demanded I press harder. And, no matter how hard I pressed it was never hard enough for her. This made perfect sense.
I had always enjoyed research and analytical work in my career as a shopping centre executive and I wasn’t about to stop now. Over the past 10 years I have learned a lot about diabetes and many other conditions affecting us. Today, we recognize diabetes type II as an epidemic affecting people and domestic animals of all ages (no longer referred to as adult onset diabetes because it now affects children). Watch this Newsletter for further Reflexology stories and Diabetes type II.
How about being my research assistant?
I am compiling anecdotal research information on Diabetes Type II and Reflexology. If you have any case studies, results, stories on this subject, please email them to me at jack@universalreflex.com subject “Reflexology and Diabetes Research”.
Thanks,
Jack Marriott