Footprints Reflexology 1.41

Reflexology follows the principle that a vital energy, circulates throughout the body and into every cell and tissue. If the energy pathways become blocked or stagnated, the part of the body relating to the blockage is affected. The techniques used in Reflexology are designed to dissipate energy blocks, stimulate the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems and to release toxins in tissue. Reflexology encourages and supports the body’s self-healing capabilities. A Reflexology treatment also assists a person to experience the benefits of improved circulation and reach greater relaxation throughout their entire body. When the body is in a relaxed state and not under the effects of stress, the natural healing processes of the body can function more efficiently, allowing a return to health more quickly.

Through touch and pressure, Reflexology is a method of stimulating reflexes points within the hands, feat, ears and/or face, which are points that have a relationship to glands, organs and tissues in the body. The therapist approaches each session with balance by systematically applying varying degrees of touch to the reflex areas of the structure of both the left and right sides of the body. Reflexology is beneficial as a regular treatment for all ages and is safe to receive during pregnancy and labor.

Reflexology is an effective way of dealing with a variety of ailments for all age groups. It is used in conjunction with chiropractic and therapeutic massage treatments and physiotherapy programs. Many people use Reflexology as a complement to enhance the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine and conventional, naturopathic and homeopathic health care. A Reflexologist does not diagnose conditions or prescribe treatments.

The treatment
Although RTF is entered on the feet, it is much more than a normal foot massage. Apart from promoting a good blood supply locally, it can improve and even heal disturbed organ and tissue functions in a person. Therapists do not only treat the symptom, but also the background on which it may develop. In the feet all organs and tissues have their assigned areas which we call reflex zones (abbreviated: zones) meaning that they “reflect” the whole of a person in a small part. We literally “handle” the feet by working with various dynamic grips in order to regulate and harmonize disturbed and weakened vital forces. Generally, a healthy person has pain-free, warm and flexible feet. If a person chronically suffers from cold feet, if there is restricted movement in the joints, or if athlete’s foot, corns or calluses appear, this can be a first sign of malfunction and weakness in the correlating organs or tissues.
Pain sometimes caused on certain areas of the feet is understood as a kind of “signpost”, for it indicates the rout to those zones that require treatment. We treat those that need attention, several times during each session, with the aim of improving the condition of the correlated organs and tissues. The pain which showed in the beginning usually subsides during the course of a treatment series.

Sometimes it is observed that certain zones of the feet are painful although the patient/client is not aware of any symptoms or complains in the assigned organs or tissues. Since the self-healing capacity in each person is always present and active, it compensates individually for its ailments as long as possible. An occurring symptom is not the beginning of the disease, but it shows that the inner self-regulating qualities need help and support from “outside”. This observation, and the conclusion drawn from it, opens up all possibilities of a far-reaching “re-tuning” already in the initial stage of an illness. In this way it also represents meaningful and important health care and prevention of disease.
The therapist should be informed before commencement the treatment series if the patient/client is taking certain medications, e.g. insulin or other hormones, psychoparmaceuticals, painkillers, Coumadin, Betablockers, etc., since they could camouflage the situation and/or influence the reactions to the treatment. A well informed therapist will be able to adapt the treatment dosage to the needs of the patient/client.

The meaning of reactions
Apart from the pain spontaneously felt in the disturbed zones during a treatment, patients/clients will experience typical reactions during, and in the periods between, treatments. These responses to the therapeutic offer have a special significance, because they show the patient/client and practitioner that a turning point has been reached in the illness.
Reactions are understood as the individual answer of the person to therapy, and they are expected as part of the healing process, even though they may be temporarily unpleasant or - usually for a short time - even disturbing. They are a sign that there is enough vitality within the person to fully or partially overcome the disorder or disease.

Common reactions
Patients/clients often already experience a significant relief of their complaints during or after the first treatment and should not forget that this represents one of the most encouraging reaction to RTF. All reactions, even the unpleasant ones, can be compared with a temporary, brief inner “spring cleaning”, after which the person will feel all the better in his/her whole condition.
Some reactions to RTF may occur during the treatment, other in the treatment intervals:
- Perspiration on parts (mostly noticed on the hands) or all of the body.
- Increased urinary output, sometimes cloudy or more intensive in smell and colour.
- Increased bowel activity, frequently strop-smelling and accompanied by flatulence.
- Secretions of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, sinuses and reproductive organs as catarrh or discharge.
- A sense of pleasant relaxation, deep and refreshing sleep, an increase in the ability to cope, and emotional stabilization.
- Very rarely there may be a raised temperature or fever. This does not mean that a new disease is appearing, but that the quality of self regeneration needs it to deal best with the current situation.
- If past illnesses have not been completely healed, they may reappear as faint “echo” for a short while before resolving themselves as much as possible.
- For women it is important to know that the monthly cycle may also alter - very seldom even when contraceptives are being taken.

How to deal with overreactions
If patients/clients experience strongly disturbing reactions or reactions causing them to feel uneasy, they should turn to their therapist, with complete confidence, for advice on how they can be helped further. Often a quiet, calming treatment preferably using harmonizing/stabilizing grips is sufficient. There therapist may also, if necessary, speak to their doctor and make further decisions together with him/her.

Promising indications
Disorders of the spine, joints and muscles. Malfunctions of all inner organs, especially of the digestive and urinary tract. Headache of various origin. Breathing difficulties, circulation problems, menstruation pain. Allergies, emotional imbalance, sleeping problems.
Almost all people will gain more vitality and strength, physically and emotionally. The purpose of RTF is not to fight the disease or symptom but to stimulate and harmonize the self-healing capacity of the patient/client!

Conditions we don't treat
Highly infections diseases. Situations where urgent surgery is required. Acute or chronic inflammations of the venous or lymphatic systems.

Suggestions for personal care of one’s feet
- Keep your feet free from hard skin, calluses, corns, and fungal infections as much as you, yourself, are able; if necessary visit a qualified chiropodist.
- Expose your feet as often as possible to the natural stimuli of light, air and water and go barefoot frequently in your leisure time or when on holiday.
- Set yourself high standards when it comes to choosing footwear and give preference to natural textiles and comfortably shaped shoes.
Finally, remember with gratitude what your feet do for you , day in and day out, patiently and with determination carrying you about and setting you on your way. Quotation of a seemingly “handicapped” child: “I feel that you care for my roots.”