When was the last time you had a talk with your poor tired feet, neglected, forgotten, now getting scrunched into boots along the wintery slippery sidewalks in my area to speak of? Are they aching for attention with all the work each of their 26 bones do to support every other part of the musculoskeletal system, helping to keep you upright and straight, balancing the rest of the body while helping you to move forward through the steps in life, the dance of life, and connecting to earth?
Our feet do so much more than helping us to step forward though, or cha cha cha, twist and shout as they are also part of the important gatekeepers to the nervous system, organs and glands. They can either shout or whisper and tell the stories of your holistic health, and how you walk and balance yourself in mind, body and spirit.
Suffering from a headache, separation and divorce horrors, neck and shoulder tension or feeling anxious and stressed out? Experiencing pain and setback from plantar fasciitis? Pain in the hip and thinking its actually a hip problem?
Reflexology, yes Reflexology sessions can provide huge relief and bring a holistic concept to facilitate healing the entire body and mind, especially through stressful situations, and offers a deep sense of grounding and BEing more aware of body symptoms. Sometimes you forget and don’t realize how tense your shoulders are until someone puts their hand on them! Then, might not think that Reflexology can be beneficial for this type of tension also.
Most souls (pardon the expression…soles) don’t take the time to sit still for an hour or more, without DOing something else, and combining distractions. Some find it odd to have someone working their feet only, and being so fascinated about all the points using a technique which is what Reflexologists call a thumb walk…much like someone taking a little time to sensitively help you to find your feet again. A Reflexologist is able to map the body into zones, and with sensitivity can feel the referral areas on the feet (or hands, or ears if qualified) that are creating blockages through the body that manifest as tension, pain, stress, anxiety and structural problems.
A Reflexology session is offered either on a massage table or a zero gravity chair (lounge recliner) most often, and covered with a blanket if desired, soft music and sometimes candles. In my practice environment for my clients is especially important.
Classic reflexology starts off with ensuring you are comfortable, assessing the feet, with some warm ups, and pressure via the thumb or fingers along the zones and organ referral points. Some reflexologists such as myself who are also Acupressure therapists may spend longer on the acupressure points of the feet and ankles for added benefit. Regular sessions last approximately 60 minutes and additional time may be added with a lower leg & foot massage, sometimes known as ‘the dessert’, or with the additional use of warm stones and placement, or adding an acupressure shoulder and neck release technique that further helps to relieve strenuous neck tension.
Although Reflexologists do not ‘diagnose or prescribe’ from the sessions, feedback may assist the client to be more aware of their holistic state, and sometimes there are suggestions for client care at home.
This is a great time to reflect on your own feet, have a little chat with them, wiggle your toes, check in with your shoulders, and see if they are asking for a Reflexology session! This is also an opportunity to find that Christmas gift through a gift certificate for the person who has everything but is stressed and overwhelmed and might like to experience something new.
It is also a time to invite you to become more curious and to reach out to your local Reflexologist to ask any questions to see how they can benefit you in the best way and pssst, a Reflexology Session gift certificate makes a wonderful self care gift for someone you care about!
Happy Holidays,
Cherie Griffiths
CDC Certified Divorce Coach, Naturopath (Qc), RCRT Reflexologist, TCM Body/Mind Acupressure Therapist