Typical Reflexology Treatment
If you have never experienced Reflexology before, you may have many questions about what will happen during a typical treatment. The below information should answer any questions you may have. However, if you would like to discuss anything in more detail please contact me.
Treatments take place in my bright and airy clinic room in Whetstone, N20 or in my clinic room at the Haelan Centre Clinic, Crouch End, N8 (both upstairs). Before your treatment begins you will need to remove your socks or tights and shoes. It is best to wear loose, comfortable clothing and trousers that can be pushed up towards your knees as reflexes are worked across the top, bottom, sides of the foot as well as up the lower part of the leg.
Your first treatment will include a short but thorough health, diet and lifestyle consultation. This will involve you explaining any recent or long-standing illneses, what medication you may be taking and your reason for having reflexology. As part of this I will also conduct a foot heatlth check. The consultation is to help identify which reflexes I may need to concentrate on and to ensure there are no contra-indications. All information recorded will be treated in accordance with the Data Protection Act and will remain totally confidential.
Although I will focus on any reflexes linked to any health concerns covered in the consultation, the first treatment tends to be exploratory also. All main body systems are covered in order to detect any imbalances which will then help me to devise a bespoke treatment plan specific to your needs.
The treatment will begin with some relaxation techniques followed by the application of pressure using precise finger and thumb techniques across the different reflexes. I work across both feet throughout the treatment, focusing on each body system as a whole. If certain areas feel particularly out of balance I may return to these reflexes throughout the session to help bring them back into balance.
During the treatment, most people tend to feel very relaxed and some may even fall asleep. There may be some tingling sensations in different parts of the body which is normal. The treatment should not feel ticklish or acutely painful although there may be some discomfort or tenderness in reflexes which show an imbalance. Many people tend to describe this feeling as "a good hurt or pain".
After the treatment we will discuss any areas of particular discomfort and I will offer you some homecare advice. We will also discuss how many follow-up treatments are recommended and how often. Typically clients will need 4-6 weekly treatments as a minimum to help with their health concerns, although it is also possible to have more sessions more frequently. General maintenance sessions are typically monthly. However, you are under no obligation to book further treatments.
Some people may experience what is called "a healing reaction". This is the body's way of dealing with the toxins that are released during the reflexology treatment and may include feeling thirsty, tired, nauseous, energetic, increased bowel movement etc. This is a normal reaction and is part of the healing process where symptoms will usually not last more than 24 hours. To help ensure toxins are dispelled from the body and to reduce the likelihood of the healing reaction, you are advised to drink plenty of water following a reflexology treatment.
