Reflexology

Some people see a reflexologist to help with a specific symptom; others use the therapy regularly to maintain good health. Many people find reflexology relaxing and use it to help reduce anxiety, stress and physical tension.

Reflexologists work with a wide range of conditions including certain types of pain, particularly back and neck pain, migraine and headaches, chronic fatigue, sinusitis, arthritis, insomnia, digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation, stress-related disorders and menopausal symptoms.

There is some evidence that reflexology can be effective in treating premenstrual symptoms, and headache. A guideline for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, says that there is some evidence to suggest that reflexology might be of benefit for people with the condition.

A complete treatment will usually last around 45 minutes to one hour. The reflexologist will take a case history, asking questions about your symptoms, your lifestyle, and medical history. They will examine your feet and/or the palms of your hand. For this, you will be asked to lie down, usually on a specially designed reflexology chair. The reflexologist will then apply pressure to points on the feet and/or hands, using special thumb and finger techniques to release tension or unblock ‘stuck’ energy. This aims to help the body to stimulate its own natural healing ability.

After the first treatment, the reflexologist will have an idea of what your specific needs are, and how they need to work with your feet or hands in the future. They will then see you for a course of treatment, usually 6-8 sessions.

After treatment you may feel tired, light-headed, relaxed or weepy; have tender feet; need to go to the toilet more often or have flu-like symptoms.

People taking medicines for diabetes should talk to their doctors before having reflexology as treatment may interfere with their medication. Reflexology may not be suitable for people with gout, foot ulcers or circulatory problems affecting their feet, or for people who have epilepsy or thyroid or depressive disorders. People with cancer should see a reflexologist who is trained to treat people with cancer as there are particular places on the feet that should be avoided or treated particularly gently. Some blood specialists advise that people with very low blood platelet counts should not be treated with reflexology.

It is advisable not to have reflexology during the first three months of pregnancy.

Reflexology appointments cost from £25 to £60 and upwards, depending on the length of the treatment and where you live.

At the moment, there is no single body that regulates the reflexology profession. There are a number of professional associations that practitioners can choose to belong to but a reflexologist is not required by law to belong to a professional association nor to have completed a specified course of training, although many are registered with organisations working together as the Reflexology Forum.

The Reflexology Forum is working to develop common standards of training and practice and one register of practitioners who all meet a required standard. However, this process takes time and at present standards of training can vary, which is why we suggest you speak to the practitioner before going for treatment..