Information for clients: How VRT and Reflexology treatments help you.
- Origins of Reflexology
- What to expect from a treatment.
- Wider uses of reflexology
Reflexology is a gentle and effective therapy in which the hands are used to apply subtle pressure to the reflex points on the feet. It is ancient science that states that all the glands, organs and parts of the body have a corresponding reflex point in the feet (and hands). If the body is in a state of tension, due to ill health, disease or stress, this imbalance is registered in the feet. A reflexologist is trained to detect tiny deposits and tensions in the feet that block the nerve and blood supplies to the body.By exerting pressure, using fingers and thumbs, the circulation is improved and energy and homeostasis (balance) is restored to the body's cells. If you wish to find a practitoner in your area click here.
Vertical Reflex Therapy (VRT)
VRT is a new form of reflexology that is applied to the weight-bearing feet for a few minutes before or after the conventional treatment. It was developed by Lynne Booth and is now taught and practiced all over the world. Lynne has written two books including the bestseller Vertical Reflexology and lectures and teaches VRT internationally as well as running a private practice in Bristol. She also runs a reflexology clinic at the St Monica Trust, Bristol for elderly people and also a sports injury reflexology clinic.REFLEXOLOGY CAN ACT AS A TRIGGER TO HELP THE BODY HEAL ITSELF - a few minutes self-help VRT on the hands each day can accelerate the healing processes
"Be kind to your body - it's the only place you live"
Multiple factors contribute to illness and the restoration of health.
Reflexology can work on many factors at once :
• emotional
• pathological
• mechanical
ORIGINS OF REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology has been practiced in different cultures around the world for thousands of years. Earliest records are found to date back to 2500BC in Egypt and China. India and Japan have also used foot-work for healing, as have the Native American Indians, whose skills in Reflexology are still passed down from generation to generation.
'Zone Therapy' (working on areas of the foot and body) came to Europe in the 1500's. In 1913, Dr Fitzgerald, an American ear, nose and throat surgeon, used these pressure techniques to anaesthetize patients.
In the 1930's a physiotherapist, Eunice Ingham, undertook research on 'Zone therapy'. Her contribution to modern Reflexology has been profound. She founded the International Institute of Reflexology - now in its 6th decade.
Vertical Reflex Therapy is now considered by many to be an essential tool for reflexologists. Lynne has presented papers on VRT at conferences in the UK, Canada, Jamaica, USA, Australia, South Africa, Israel and Finland and has taught VRT courses in the above countries as well as in Europe and the Gulf. She was awarded an ART fellowship for services to reflexology in 1998, an Association of Reflexologists Honorary fellowship in 2008 and in 2011 VRT was given an award for 'Outstanding Contribution to Complementary Medicine' by the Institute of Complementary and Natural Medicine. Over the years there have been hundreds of articles written on VRT plus radio and TV coverage.
Today Reflexology/VRT is a respected complimentary therapy that is used alongside conventional medicine in some hospitals and clinics. It has a wide application for specific illness, as a preventative measure against disease and stress, as a controlling factor in the care of the terminally ill and as a deeply relaxing treatment.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A TREATMENT?
The therapist will briefly take your medical history and examine your feet to isolate any obvious problem areas.
You will lie in a comfortable position while your feet are being worked. You may relax and talk or gently doze during a treatment, which will end with a short gentle massage and a special gentle rocking technique of the hands or feet.
In the early treatments you may feel momentary discomfort as problem areas are stimulated. Reflexology is a safe and non-invasive therapy as no instruments are used and only the feet (and occasionally hands) are touched. It is suitable for everyone from young babies to the very elderly and infirm.
Several weekly treatments are usually needed before the body's mechanism is stimulated enough to bring about a definitive change in a condition. However, many people notice major changes almost immediately. Once health is regained, periodic visits are recommended as a preventative measure to balance and harmonise the body.
A VRT practitioner will also work on your weight-bearing hands or feet for a few minutes to accelerate the healing processes.
Many conditions can be helped including migraine, back problems, sports injuries, menstrual and prostate problems, headaches, asthma, stress, digestive disorders and numerous others.
Treatments vary from usually 30 minutes to one hour. First consultations are often about 20 minutes longer. Many reflexologists may charge for cancellations within 24 hours. Always check that the therapist is fully insured and has trained with a reputable reflexology school and belongs to a professional body. Check with professional organisations or obtain a list of practitioners from their website. Click for Useful links
WIDER USE OF REFLEXOLOGY
• Reflexology is now used in many clinics, hospitals and hospices as a complementary therapy. In a VRT/conventional reflexology study at the St Monica Trust in 1997 a 60% improvement in mobility among elderly residents was shown in 7 weeks.
• VRT is a useful adjunct in treating sports injuries as it can help accelerate recovery time and may bring about an increase in mobility and decrease in pain.
• VRT and Reflexology are now used extensively in the workplace as many employers realise the advantages of a quick non-invasive treatment that lasts as little as 20 minutes. Absenteeism can be lowered and health, morale and stress levels among all categories of staff can improve. Employees can be taught simple self-help hand or foot reflexology techniques to aid recovery between treatments
