Reflexology

Reflexology is the application of pressure, stretch and movement to the feet and hands to affect corresponding parts of the body.

How it works

There are several theories. The one I work from is the nervous system. Pressure applied to the foot generates a signal through the peripheral nervous system into the central nervous system, where it is processed and relayed on to the internal organs, which adjust their demand for fuel and oxygen. A response then goes forward to the motor system and adjusts the body's overall tension level.

Applied properly, that tone resets to a lower operating tempo. A lower tempo means less stress and less wear on the body's systems.

What a session involves

Sessions run 30 to 60 minutes, and can be combined with muscle manipulation. You stay clothed; only shoes and socks come off. You lie on a table, and alongside hands-on work a Bio Stimulator unit may be used to apply impulses to the foot and hand.

I work through the whole foot methodically, using pressure, stretch and movement, and cover both feet in most circumstances. Everything stays inside your comfort zone. Too much pressure can be harmful, so tell me if it is too much. If a practitioner keeps going after you have said so, stop the session; that applies here or anywhere else.

You should feel relaxed at the end. How long that relaxation lasts is a good indicator of how well the session worked, so it is worth telling me at the next one.