Reflexology

REFLEXOLOGY

This is the gentle massage of feet to encourage the resolution of stress and other bodily symptoms.

Practitioner experience has shown reflexology to be particularly helpful in the following areas:

Conditions involving poor cardiovascular and lymphatic circulation.
Stress related conditions
Musculoskeletal pain
Bowel disorders such as IBS
Headaches
Insomnia
Care of the terminally ill

History and rationale of Reflexology

The system of working on the feet to effect health is an ancient form of therapy, appearing in diverse cultures across the globe and throughout history. Earliest traces have been found around 5,000 years ago in India, China, Japan and Egypt. The Practice apparently spread to Europe during the dark ages and forms of pressure point therapy or zone therapy were well known in the middle ages and were used by all strata of society.
Present day Reflexology has its roots in medical and neurological studies carried out in the 1890's in the UK and Germany, as a result of which the tradition of pressure point therapy converged with new discoveries such as head zones and the effect of massage on the sympathetic nervous system.

Further support was provided by an American Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, Dr. William Fitzgerald, who documented the analgesic and anaesthetising effects of working on points on the hands and feet. In the 1930's work on the feet became distinguished from zone therapy in general to become Reflexology, as we know it today.

What evidence is there to validate Reflexology ?

In common with most complimentary therapies, there has only been limited research aiming at validating Reflexology. This is slowly changing however, and the following lists some recent reports:-

A study in Denmark of 220 patients suffering from headaches showed nearly 75% experienced better health with Reflexology and 68% of the migraine sufferers felt that their problem had been helped. By the end of the study 19% had stopped taking medication.
A large research study in the post office in Denmark employed a full time Reflexologist for a year and reported a saving of around £110,000 a year due to a 13.3% reduction in sickness and absence.

A Scottish study of 14 MS patients showed a 45% reduction over a variety of symptoms during an 18-week period of Reflexology compared to the control group.
A study of women suffering from severe PMT showed a 46% reduction in symptoms amongst those treated with Reflexology.

A small study in cancer palliative care showed a very significant improvement in the quality of life compared to a control group.

Other areas where Reflexology may help, although not subject to scientific protocols are as follows:-

Help with emotional symptoms
Relief from chronic constipation and related problems
Reduction of anxiety / depression amongst a group of patients in the geriatric unit.
Work in Mexico, the United States and South Africa with children suffering from mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism and perceptual and emotional problems, showed improvement across a range of parameters including hyperactivity, behavioural problems, memory, socialisation, responsiveness, sensory integration, digestion and eating habits.

How does it work ?

There is as yet no unified theory as to how Reflexology works. However its effects are likely to involve some or all of the following processes.

Deep muscle relaxation and the relief of tension and stress
An improvement in cardiovascular and lymphatic circulation
Stimulation and inhibition of the transmission of the nerve impulses to the brain, particularly those involved in the autonomic nervous system.
The reduction of pain through gate controlled and stimulation of the production of endorphins
The benefits of an hour's rest, stillness and quiet and
The psychological benefits of an hour's personal attention and care.

What happens when I go for a treatment ?

On the first visit the Reflexology Practitioner will have a preliminary talk with you to determine your present and past health and lifestyle.

The Reflexologist will then use their hands to apply pressure to the feet. The application and the effect of the therapy is unique to each person.

A professionally trained Reflexologist can detect subtle changes in specific points on the feet and by working on these points may help you.

A treatment session usually lasts for about one hour.

No therapy will be recommended here unless a diagnosis has been made. As the therapy is extremely gentle and safe, it can be used to treat all ages, from very young babies to those in their nineties. There are very few contraindications, although certain conditions require special care and a close liaison with a Medical Practitioner.

How will I feel after a Reflexology treatment ?

After one or two treatments, your body may respond in a very definite way. Most people note a sense of wellbeing and relaxation; sometimes people report feeling lethargic, nauseous or tearful but this is transitory and it is part of the healing process.

This is important information to feed back to the Reflexologist as it shows how your body is responding to the treatment. This will help the Reflexologist to tailor your treatment plan specific to your needs.

Our Reflexologist, Dee Welch, has been trained to a professional standard and this is evidenced by her membership of the Association of Reflexologists.

Reflexology in the Workplace

Approximately 360 million working days are lost annually in the UK at a cost of £8 billion. Half of these absences are estimated to be stress related. It is adviseable that companies should have in place a stress management policy and an employee stress management programme.

What can be achieved?

In Denmark, occupational health services have been working closely with employers to reduce stress and work related illnesses. Reflexology has proved very popular in this field. Odense post office in Denmark, which has employed a full time Reflexologist since 1990, reports savings of about £100,000 a year due to a 13.3% reduction in sickness and absenteeism.

SAS Cargo reported an estimated financial saving of approximately £2,000 a month when employees were receiving Reflexology.

In the UK, companies are now beginning to follow suit by offering reflexology to the staff. They include such organisations as multinationals, city councils, oil companies, football teams, supermarket chains and department stores, computer firms, a dance company, a fire station, schools and hospitals and many businesses.

How can Reflexology benefit your company?

Possible benefits may include increased morale, satisfaction and loyalty of the staff
Enhanced concentration, efficiency and accuracy
Improved creativity, planning and decision making
Better relationships amongst staff and between staff and management
The ability of staff to cope more effectively under pressure
Speedy recovery and return to work after illness, accident or surgery
Pain relief for stress related conditions such as headaches, migraine etc.
Enhanced staff resilience and resistance to infection and disease
Optimum care for your staff by complementing conventional medicine

How can Reflexology be used in your Organisation?

Talks by a local Practitioner and leaflets made available to educate staff.
A room could be made available within the premises so that the Practitioner may work.
Flexible working hours to accommodate treatment times
Staff could be encouraged to attend for a course of treatment and incentives could be offered by the organisation to enable them to attend regularly. May be costs could be subsidised.

If you have a query or would like to email us please go to our contact us page.

If you would like to book an appointment please call us on 0116 2700373 or email info@privategp.com.

• Integrated Therapies
  • Acupuncture
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ('CBT')
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Massage
  • Physiotherapy
  • Reiki
  • Reflexology

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