Reflexology in Leeds
Foot therapies were an important part of healing in many ancient cultures. Reflexology is based on the principle that certain points on the feet and hands correspond to specific parts of the body.
By applying pressure to these reflex points, a trained reflexologist can release tensions, improve the blood supply and stimulate the body's natural healing processes.
- What can reflexology help?
- Reflexology at the Good Health centre.
- Reflexology treatment.
- What to expect.
- Cautions and care
- Training and Regulation
- Find out more
What can reflexology help?
Reflexology can be used simply for relaxation and health maintenance. Treatment is relaxing and can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Alternatively, many people find reflexology beneficial for a wide range of physical symptoms and problems:
- Chronic pain, including neck and back pain and arthritis.
- Migraine and chronic headaches.
- Tiredness and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia.
- Digestive disorders, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Menopausal symptoms and premenstrual syndrome.
- Symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (as reviewed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence NICE)
Reflexology at the Good Health centre.
Sue Whelan
Reflexology treatment.
Reflexology treats the body holistically. Following any trauma or stress, practitioners believe that the body can be out of balance causing the energy flow to be blocked. Reflexology treats the imbalances and alleviates symptoms, however it cannot diagnose specific problems.
Reflexology is thought to:
- Reduce stress and encourage relaxation
- Improve circulation and lymphatic flow
- Balance the whole body
- Remove congestion and blockages from the energy pathways
- Normalise gland and organ function
What to expect.
At your first session your reflexologist will take a history of your condition and your health and explain a little about reflexology therapy.
The practitioner will use pressure from her thumb and fingers to stimulate the appropriate reflex points for you.
You may feel warmth and tingling in your feet and the rest of your body. You may also feel relaxed and drowsy, many clients fall asleep during therapy.
Afterwards you may need to use the toilet more regularly. Many people feel calm and relaxed with an improvement in their symptoms
Some patients feel lethargic and nauseous or tearful for a short time, this is thought to be due to the body eliminating toxins.
Cautions and care
Don't take alcohol for 24 hours before therapy, avoid heavy meals before treatment and drink plenty of water afterwards.
It's important to inform your practitioner of any chronic illness before treatment, especially thyroid disease, epilepsy, cancer and depression. In particular diabetics should talk to their doctors before having reflexology as treatment may interfere with their medication.
Reflexology may not be suitable for people with foot problems including gout, ulcers and circulatory.
Let your practitioner know if you may be pregnant as it is advisable not to have reflexology during the first three months of pregnancy.
Training and Regulation
There is no single body that regulates the reflexology profession. There are a number of professional associations that practitioners can choose to belong to but a reflexologist is not required by law to belong to a professional association nor to have completed a specified course of training. These organisations are working together as the Reflexology Forum to develop common standards of training, practice and ethics.
At The Good Health Centre the therapist has been trained on a course approved by the Association of Reflexology and has completed further training in Advanced Reflexology techniques. She is registered with the Reflexology Forum.
Find out more
The Reflexology Forum
Tel: 0800 037 0130 (free-phone)
Website: www.reflexologyforum.org
Princes Foundation for Integrated Health
www.fih.org.uk
