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Guide to Reflexology and Reflexologists
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Reflexology and Reflexologists
Reflexology (sometimes called zone therapy) iis a form of complementary therapy in which the nerve endings primarily in the feet are stimulated by specific massage techniques to effect changes in another part of the body and thereby create health and help overcome disease. is a form of complementary medicine and involves a method of treatment using massage to reflex areas found in the feet and the hands. Most commonly, the feet are used as the areas to be treated. In the feet, there are reflex areas corresponding to all the parts of the body and these areas are arranged in such a way as to form a map of the body in the feet with the right foot corresponding to the right side of the body and the left foot to the left side of the body. Thus, it becomes possible to treat the whole body and the treat the body as a whole. This latter point is an important factor of a natural therapy and allows not only symptoms to be treated but also their causes. What
to expect from a practitioner First of all, there should be a preliminary talk with the practitioner before treatment. The reflexologist then begins to work on the client's feet, or hands if necessary, noting problem areas. There may be discomfort in some places, but it is fleeting, and also an indication of congestion or imbalance in a corresponding part of the body. For the most of the part, the sensation is pleasant and soothing. Reflexology can help relax the client and is believed to stimulate the body's own healing mechanisms. Usually a treatment session lasts for about one hour. For some cases, a treatment can last nearly two hours. A course of treatment varies in length depending on the need of the client body. The reflexologist will discuss this with the patient at the first session. Reflexology
has proved very beneficial for a wide range of chronic and acute
conditions - especially for all stress-related problems. Many
practitioners have reported that clients with problems such as
sinusitis, asthma, migraine, depression, ME, muscular and skeletal
disorders, menstrual problems, hypertension, bowel disorders etc
have benefited from treatment. Reflexology has also helped small
babies with colic, maintained peak condition in athletes and brought
peace to the dying. |
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What is Complementary Therapy
Complementary
Therapy (Alternative Therapy)
Is as the name suggests a form of therapy or medicine that "complements"
conventional treatments, it is variously known as Complementary Therapy,
Alternative Therapy, or Holistic Therapy. (Examples of further terminology
are described below)
Practitioners are consequently referred to as complementary therapists,
alternative therapists, healers, complementary medicine providers, holistic
therapists etc.
There
is evidence that many of these alternative therapies have been in use
for centuries, recent years have seen (particularly in the Western World)
a rise in the popularity of these Complementary Therapies. Millions
of people now subscribe to Complementary Health and use complementary
therapies worldwide, and demand for these therapies is still growing.
About half of GPs, in the UK, now provide some kind of access to this
form of therapy. Although Britain came late to complementary therapies.
It is estimated by practitioners that demand for these therapies has
increased by up to 30% in the last ten years.
It is currently estimated that 3 in 10 local health authorities in Britain
now offer some form of alternative therapy to patients and that as many
as one third of people in the United Kingdom have tried at least one
form of alternative therapy, usually for the treatment of various problems
such as backache, arthritis, or headaches migraine.
Much has been written on the subject of Complementary Therapies and Health (we have a wide range of articles elsewhere on our website) and a great deal of information and opinion is available on the internet.
Complementary Therapy is also referred to as Alternative Therapy, Holistic medicine is a narrower term. We have included a few definitions of Complementary Therapy showing how this "non conventional" form of healing is variuosly referred to.
Complementary
Therapy
Complementary therapies offer a variety of "complementary"
treatments, outside the scope of conventional medical practice, and
are often used alongside standard treatments -- e.g. nutritional supplements,
herbal remedies, massage, acupuncture, energy work, etc.
Complementary
Medicine
The term complementary medicine is used by conventional medical practitioners
to refer to non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques which are used
in conjunction with medical treatments such as drugs and surgery. The
term implies that conventional medicine is used as a primary tool and
the non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques are used as a supplement
when needed.
Alternative
Therapy
A variety of treatments, outside the scope of conventional medical practice,
and used instead of standard treatments -- e.g. nutritional supplements,
herbal remedies, massage, acupuncture, energy work, etc.
Alternative
Medicine
A broad category of alternative treatment systems (e.g. chiropractic,
herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, and spiritual
devotions) or culturally based healing
Integrative
medicine
Is defined for USA usage by the National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Therapies, combines conventional medical treatments and
alternative and complementary treatments for which there is some high-quality
scientific evidence of their safety and effectiveness
An increasing desire for wellness, in response to today’s stressful
lifestyle, has led to the rising demand for Complementary Therapy and
Alternative therapies. It is true that many people are becoming disenchanted
with conventional medicine's drugs and the approach to healing. On the
other hand, Complementary therapies tend to be "holistic",
where an individual's health is considered as a whole and treatment
not just focused on the symptoms. Complementary therapy employs "natural"
methods to aid the healing powers of the body to return to a state of
health. Treatment is holistic; that is it takes into account every aspect
of a patient and not just on the health symptoms that he or she is experiencing.
It is highly recommended that you use a qualified practitioner who is a member of a regulatory body. By law, chiropractic and osteopathy practitioners must be registered with the appropriate professional bodies
In the United Kingdom, there is an organisation that monitors CAM therapists known as British Register of Complementary Practitioners. On their site, they say "The British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP) is a professional register of practitioners who have proved their competence to practice by either completing an approved course or through an assessment made by the Registration Panel. They also agree to observe a Code of Ethics and Practice and have full practitioner insurance." This helps monitor the quality of CAM in the UK and reduces the risk of quackery.
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