Simon James: Clinical Reflexologist

It makes sense that they have many stories to tell about you and your life. Reflexology is a complementary therapy which involves massaging specific reflex points on the feet or hands corresponding to organs, muscles, glands, and nerves in the body.

“A reflex is when a stimulation at one point brings about a response in another point or area”

(Pitman, V. Reflexology : a practical approach. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.) It is referred to as a “complementary“ therapy rather than an “alternative” therapy because reflexologists work alongside more conventional forms of medicine and would never claim that their treatments are a substitute for those treatments. Aims, Benefits and Limitations of Reflexology

Reflexology aims to treat the whole person:

“ Fundamentally, treat the person, not the disease or symptoms. Seek to restore flow, balance and harmony. “ (Pitman, V. and Mackenzie, K. 2002. p 8) and to restore balance. It is based on “zone theory” – that is, that the body is divided into ten zones, each of which corresponds to an area of the body and that for full health and wellbeing each of those zones need to be in balance. In reflexology, those zones are mapped onto the feet and in stimulating those precise points on the feet, balance can be achieved in the corresponding zones, thereby improving overall health. It is that precision that differentiates reflexology from foot massage. The main benefits of reflexology are:

It relaxes the client and encourages better sleep thereby allowing the body’s parasympathetic system (which stimulates a broad “rest and digest” function in the nervous system) to operate more effectively. It improves circulation and therefore assists in detoxifying the body. It supports homeostasis, through which all of the various parts of the body ( and mind) are helped to maintain a complementary balance. Through providing a safe space for self care it enables rest, recuperation and the replenishment of energy. Finally, that energy can flow back towards the therapist, making it a mutually beneficial and invigorating experience. However, reflexology does have its limitations:

For example, although a skilled reflexologist may detect particular areas of the foot that are sensitive (or granular) and which may relate to issues explored in the pre-treatment consultation, it is not diagnostic, curative or prescriptive and should never be claimed as such. Also, scientific research as to its effectiveness tends to be qualitative, specialist and small scale mainly due to the economic challenges of conducting large scale independent research which is generally funded by market leaders in the pharmaceutical industry who would have little to gain from funding such studies

Finally, not everyone can have reflexology. It is contraindicated in patients with a history of circulatory issues such as high blood pressure, blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, phlebitis and gout; skin infections and undiagnosed headaches.