Once you have looked into reflexology and decided that reflexology is a therapy that you would like to try, you will have to decide whom to go to for the treatment. There are many specialties in reflexology, so you may have the choice of seeing one that specializes in your symptoms. Keep in mind that most reflexologists see patients with all sorts of health issues. It is not vital that you go to one that specializes in your particular illness, however if it makes you feel more secure you can certainly do so.

Probably not surprisingly, the most common reason for seeing a reflexologist is for stress relief. Stress is literally killing us. And hey, who doesnt have stress? The effects of stress have been studied for quite some time and it is known that if you do not release stress from your body on a regular basis, it will eventually wreak havoc on your body in the form of one of many different sicknesses or diseases.

In the world of reflexology there are specialists for

Infertility & maternity
Insomnia
Menopause
Back pain
Stress relief
Depression
Autism
Children
Elderly patients
Now you may be wondering what you can expect from your reflexologist at your treatment appointment. You may also be asking yourself, what if I am embarrassed about my feet, or my feet are ticklish, how will I be able to handle the therapy? All of these are viable questions.

As far as the appearance of your feet, dont worry about them. This is a common fear for new patients. All feet are different and there is nothing to be ashamed about. The only possible thing that might come up in direct relation to the appearance of your feet may be if you have a severe problem with corns or something of that nature. In this case, your reflexologist may recommend treatment options.

Ticklish feet are not usually a problem for a reflexologist. Once pressure is applied, the sensation will quickly turn from a tickle to massage and you should be ok. However, if you are one that gets aggravated by the simplest touch of your foot, this therapy may not be for you.

Your therapy session will usually begin with a questionnaire or a one on one question and answer session. This is, of course to get your personal history and determine where your therapy should be most concentrated. Next, your ears, feet and hands may be thoroughly looked over for discolorations and tender spots. According to the theories reflexology stems from, these things can be warning signs that correlating body parts are not functioning, as they should.

Your therapy will usually start with rubbing of the ears, hands or feet and then will turn into a pressing technique. It closely mimics acupuncture, but without needles. By pressing in certain areas of the feet, hands and even the ears, the brain will send signals and release neurochemicals to stop pain and relieve tension. You will become very relaxed during the therapy. Believe it or not, some people even fall asleep. It is one of the single most powerful ways to relax and eliminate stress in your body. Once you try it you will be hooked for life.

Many people these days are working towards becoming certified in reflexology so that they can perform the alternative therapy as a career. Along with learning about all of the reflexology points that are found throughout the body and how to manipulate them successfully to cure problems, reflexology students are also taught to adhere to strict ethics. In this article, well go over some basic reflexology ethics information so that you can get a better idea of the kind of moral standpoint the practice requires. Reflexology requires dedicated responsibility to conducting the art respectfully at all times.
One of the most important parts of running a reflexology practice is to ensure that you create lines of trust between you and your patients. To that end, you should work towards learning all that you can about the practice from both a physiological and business viewpoint so that you will be readily prepared to answer any questions that a patient might have. Also, realize that your patients are individuals who deserve a high level of respect. Work towards fostering ongoing relationships with your patients from a business standpoint in order to ensure that they will be back for return visits.
The fourth rule in the American Reflexology Certification Boards code of ethics is that you will work towards not infringing on the practices of other reflexologists. That means that you should avoid using deceptive business practices and therefore not to try to attempt to steal customers from other reflexologists in the area. Also, the fourth rule states that you should only perform the services that you are qualified to perform. In this manner, you will be better able to avoid leading your customers down an unethical path of business.
Another clearly stated rule in the code of ethics for reflexology is that you should never refer to yourself as a medical practitioner. These types of statements can be confusing, and there are some problems that an individual may have that can not be successfully resolved through reflexology. To that end, patients who are suffering from serious illnesses that cannot be addressed with reflexology should be encouraged to visit a doctor or hospital.
All of these ethics need to be followed by a reflexologist for many different reasons. For one, following the ethics code accordingly helps you to ensure that you are giving reflexology a good name as a practice. As it is an emerging type of complementary therapy, many look towards reflexology with a wary eye, meaning that you must be very careful when it comes to making reflexology a respectable practice. Also, you will find that following the rules of ethics will help you to keep customers and foster relationships for years to come, ensuring your success as a reflexologist. Operating with ethics is a win/win situation for you, your patients, and the art of reflexology on a universal level. Be sure to operate your business with diligence, ethics, and care, and you can rest assure that you will find that your efforts will not be in vain.

Both massage therapy and reflexology are becoming more and more popular options when it comes to treating certain types of symptoms in the western world. Few people understand both of these topics to an in-depth degree, however, so in this article, well give you a good idea of what some of the differences between the two practices are in order to give you a more complete understanding of your treatment options.
One of the major differences between reflexology and massage therapy lies within the area that is manipulated by the specialist. Massage therapists tend to concentrate on massage of the whole body in order to achieve a universal sense of relaxation and stress relief. Reflexologists, on the other hand, work very precisely on specific areas of the body in the hopes that it will relieve certain symptoms an individual is having. The feet, hands, and ears are the most common areas that a reflexology works with in order to achieve results, while massage therapy principally focuses on all of the muscles of the back and torso.
Another difference between reflexology and massage therapy is the type of technique that is used to perform the work. Massage therapists often work with wide, broad strokes, using their whole hands either cupped or with the fingers together in order to massage broad ranges of the body. Reflexologists, on the other hand, work towards affecting nerve endings that are located within very specific points of the feet, hands and ears, and to that end, they employ small movements with their fingers in order to manipulate them.
Whereas massage therapists work to help someone to overcome an injury or just to feel good in general, people often visit reflexologists in order to treat specific symptoms. It can be useful for numerous problems, with a study from China showing that it can be helpful in treating at least sixty three different heatlh-related problems. One study conducted in the United States showed that a full one third of all cancer patients turn to reflexologists in order to help them with pain relief, clearly illustrating how useful and specific the practice can be.
One similarity that the two arts share is that they work to help an individual to feel a lot more stress-free and relaxed. The American Medical Association has stated that approximately eighty five percent of all illnesses are stress related, so visiting a massage therapist or reflexologist can be immensely helpful when it comes to maintaining your quality of life.
A visit to a massage therapist and a visit to a reflexologist are actually pretty similar in some ways- both of them take an average thirty minutes to a full hour in order for the work to be done. If youre unsure of whether you should visit a massage therapist or a reflexologist in order to treat your problem, your best bet is to heavily research the two topics before coming to a decision, as they both offer different and specific benefits that can be great for your health.

Reflexology practitioners work towards helping patients feel better by performing a specialized type of massage to areas of the feet and hands. The art has been shown to be helpful in eliminating numerous symptoms that occur in other places throughout the body, and reflexology is beginning to be more and more popular of a choice for those seeking a type of alternative or complementary treatment. The basis of reflexology is that there are thousands of nerve endings located in the feet that connect to organs found throughout the body. By manipulating these nerve endings, practitioners hope to gain a significant improvement in symptoms for several different types of illnesses. Certain parts of the foot are described as having different effects on the health, and reflexology charts have been created that help to explain how specific areas of the foot correspond to other organs. In that respect, in order to be a fully qualified reflexologist, you need to know all that you can about the anatomy of the foot. In this article, well work towards giving you a basic understanding of how the foot works in order to increase your knowledge.
The foot has many different bones. The toes consist of bones that are called phalanges, and there are proximital phalanges at the base of the toes, middle phalanages in the middle, and diatal phalanges at the end. Attached to the phalanges are the metatarsal bones, which are quite long and make up a good portion of the bone structure found in the foot. The metatarsals connect to a series of bones at the base of the foot: the cuneiform bones and the cuboid bone. Behind these bones are the calcaneous bone, the talus bone, and the navicular bone, comprising the complete bone structure of the foot.
The nerve endings of the feet are the part of the body which responds the most to reflexology treatment. There are roughly fifteen thousand nerve endings in the feet, and many reflexologists refer to the feet as a hologram of the body since so many nerve endings are linked to them. Manipulating the nerve endings can increase blood flow to the area and help to break up any waste particles that may be located in the tissues, helping to flush them from the body.
All in all, there are twenty eight bones in the feet. Nineteen muscles help the foot to move properly, and there are a full one hundred and seven ligaments located in them as well. There are over a hundred thousand sweat glands in the feet, thirty separate joints, and thirty one tendons. Clearly, the feet are quite the compact system! They compose the largest mass of energy in the whole body, so it is easy to see why reflexology can be a helpful practice when it comes to helping someone to stay in good spirits and health. If you are interested in which parts of the body correspond to which locations in the foot, it would be in your best interests to purchase a reflexology chart which will give you a great basic idea of where the special reflexology points are.

With all of the different types of alternative medical treatments that are out there, it can be difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. There are some types of alternative treatments that can easily be dismissed as pseudoscience, with no real positive effect on the human body. Other types of treatments, however, may seem outlandish when compared to the techniques used in western medicine, but in all actuality can be very helpful when it comes to helping you to get over a type of illness. In this article, well focus on the alternative therapy known as reflexology, giving you a basic idea of how effective the treatment is by giving you some statistics that have been collected regarding the practice.
Reflexology is a type of treatment that involves the manipulation of certain pressure points and nerve endings that are located in the feet and hands in order to achieve a specific effect elsewhere in the body. There are several thousand nerve endings in each foot, which mean that they can be helpful when it comes to treating pain elsewhere in the body. Different parts of the feet correspond to different parts of the body due to the presence of certain nerve endings, and reflexologists work to manipulate these points in order to interrupt stress patterns that may be built up within the body. The result is a soothing feeling which often results in an anesthetic type of effective when it comes to pain relief. The American Medical Association has stated that a full eighty five percent of all illness is a result of stress, illustrating exactly how effective reflexology can be when it comes to helping the body to deal with problems that it may be having. Reflexologists contend that by fully relaxing the body through reflexology, it will be much more likely to be able to heal itself on its own. Without a doubt, reflexology has been shown to be immensely useful when it comes to treating pain. A study that was conducted by the American Cancer Society Journal in 1998 showed that a full one out of three cancer patients turn to reflexology in order to relieve the pain that they are experiencing. There are many different types of symptoms that reflexology can help with, and a study conducted in China in 1998 showed that of 20,000 documented cases of patients using reflexology to treat certain symptoms, a full fifty percent found success.
As we learn more and more about reflexology, we have begun to accept it as a legitimate medical practice in the United States. The demand for reflexology practitioners continues to grow by the year, and with 117 out of 125 medical schools in the United States offering courses in complementary and alternative medicine in 1997, it is clear that reflexology is a type of treatment that isnt going anywhere anytime soon. Odds are, you can find a qualified reflexologist near where you live, and you may want to consider paying a visit in order to see if this novel type of therapy is right for you.

Many people choose to learn reflexology in order to benefit their health in many different ways. Some people choose to become a reflexologist in order to assist others with the problems that they may be having. With more and more reflexologists in demand these days as western society begins to understand and respect the art of reflexology, now more than ever is a good time to become a certified reflexologist. In this article, well give you some tips that will help to make it easier to successfully perform reflexology in order to make a living.
One of the most important things to familiarize yourself with if you are planning on becoming a certified reflexologist is the website of the American Reflexology Certification Board. Located at www.arcb.org, this site can point you in the right direction in terms of helping you to realize the thingvs that you should learn in order to pass the exam. While not all states require certifications in reflexology, it never hurts to have some paperwork to back up your skills so that a client can know that they are making the right decision in visiting you. The website will also offer you a listing of several different schools that can teach you the art of reflexology while helping you to prepare for the exam. As a rule, you should try to choose a school that has a well-rounded curriculum which doesnt exclusively focus on the reflexology technique. In addition to the techniques, which are necessary to learn, youre going to want to become more informed about ethics, professionalism, and nutrition, as well as the physiological and biological basis for reflexology. In this way, you will be better suited when it comes to dealing with answering questions that your clients may have about the therapy. Rest assured, many clients will be asking about why reflexology works the way it does, and it never hurts to have an answer. Since it is such a novel departure from western medicine, you will need to have the utmost level of professionalism in order to demonstrate to your clients that you are indeed a competent practitioner that knows their stuff.
Another thing that you may want to consider when becoming a reflexologist is becoming a fully certified massage therapist. This can greatly increase your client base, and although it will take a lot more effort to finish the massage therapy licensing program, it can really result in a lot more money for your work. Some people choose to just be reflexologists, and there is nothing wrong with that. Having a wide range of available skills is always useful in when you are running an alternative treatment practice.
As with any type of profession, you will have to put some hard work and effort into obtaining your certification and getting your business up and running, but it can really pay off when you find that you are making a living doing something that you love. If youre really interested in reflexology, you can surely make it your career!

Reflexology is a type of alternative medicine that more and more people are learning to use to benefit their health in the United States and across the world. It is a practice that is not very well understood by the uninitiated, so in this article well do our best to answer some basic questions that you may have about the reflexology practice.
Question: How often do I have to visit a reflexologist in order to receive the fullest benefits from the practice?
Answer: While there is no conclusive length of time that is required for everybody in order to benefit the most from reflexology, many people find that half-hour long sessions once a day for six days in a row for two weeks seems to be sufficient in helping them with the problems that they are having. However, by learning reflexology in your home, you may find that you want to work towards giving yourself reflexology treatment on a regular basis in order to keep your health as strong as it can be. Many tout the benefits of reflexology when it comes to keeping the immune system strong by decreasing the level of stress that is present within the body. Also, many who undergo reflexology treatment on a regular basis state that they find it easier to concentrate and that they have higher energy levels after receiving the treatment. To that end, it can be a great preventative practice to learn in order to keep you healthy, mentally sharp, and full of the energy that you need to do the things that you have to do.
Question: What types of things should I expect when I pay a visit to a reflexology practitioner?
Answer: Many people find that the reflexology treatment process is very similar to massages that they have had in the past. More often than not, professional reflexologists perform their work on your feet while you sit in a chair. Other reflexologists opt for the patient to lie down on a table. When visiting a reflexologist, you will need to remove your socks and your shoes so that the reflexologist can perform their work on your feet. While some reflexologists use massage oil when theyre helping a patient, most opt for a dry technique. The reflexologist will use several different types of strokes in order to address the nerve endings in your feet, including pressure and stretching motions as well as pressured movement. Some reflexologists tend to work deeper with the nerve endings than others, which can be uncomfortable for the individual receiving the treatment. If you are ever feeling uncomfortable with how deep the reflexologist is massaging, be sure to let them know so that you can enjoy the treatment. If you end up more stressed out due to being uncomfortable during the treatment, any benefit that you will have received from it is lost. To that end, be sure to let the practitioner know if you feel the least bit uncomfortable and they will accommodate for your needs.

Any number of things can trigger a migraine in a susceptible person, including allergies, constipation, low blood sugar, stress, liver malfunction, too much or too little sleep, emotional changes, hormonal changes, sun glare, flashing lights, lack of exercise and changes in barometric pressure. Most people that suffer from migraine headaches take medication often, which is unfortunate. There are many natural ways to treat and prevent migraines, and it doesnt involve prescription and non-prescription drugs.

Dietary recommendations

Adopt a diet that is low in simple carbohydrates and high in protein. Follow the dietary guidelines of the hypoglycemic diet.
Include almonds, almond milk, parsley, fennel, garlic, fresh cherries and fresh pineapple in your diet regularly.
Stay away from foods that contain the amino acid tyramine, which includes aged meats, bananas, beer, cabbage, canned meats, dairy products, eggplant, hard cheeses, potatoes, raspberries, plums, tomatoes, wine and yeast. Also eliminate all alcohol, aspirin, chocolate, MSG and nitrates.
Get massages regularly, which should include areas of the neck and back of your head, as well as reflexology for the feet.

Reflexology treatments

Reflexology is safe for everyone and proven effective. If you are not familiar with reflexology, it is the practice of strategically applying pressure to reflexes of the feet and hands as they correspond with specific body organs. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, we can stimulate blood flow, reduce stress and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. With this, many forms of sickness and disease can be reversed or at the very least, the symptoms can be effectively treated.

One of the most common uses for reflexology is for stress relief. In our fast paced society today, everyone is looking for a way to unload the stress of everyday life and for good reason. Stress is a silent killer. The effects of stress have been studied for quite some time and it is known that if you do not release stress from your body on a regular basis, it will eventually wreak havoc on your body in the form of one of many different sicknesses or diseases. Furthermore, stress can definitely be a factor in migraine headache development. Relieving stress is an important step in becoming well.

Although reflexologists cannot diagnose or claim to cure a sickness or disease, the results speak for themselves, making it one of the most sought after treatments today. In fact, celebrities pay an arm and a leg for just a few minutes of reflexology. Not only is it beneficial as a tool for relaxation and stress relief, but it is also an effective tool for improving circulation; relieving pain, and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. In fact, many people with illnesses such as allergies; chronic sinus problems; acid reflux; acne; migraines; PMS; menopause; insomnia; fertility problems and even arthritis have been helped tremendously by reflexology treatments. I started using reflexology therapy a few years ago just for the purpose of relieving the tension headaches I was experiencing due to stress. I can attest to the fact that it works, as I have been successful at curing my headaches without the use of drugs ever since.

Reflexology is a type of alternative treatment that is attracting more and more attention as of late. While it has been practiced in Asia for centuries, reflexology was brought to America in the early twentieth century. More and more people are beginning to realize the benefits of the therapy, as studies continue to show how useful the practice can be. To that end, there is more of a demand for reflexologists in the United States right now than at any point in history. In this article, well give you some basic information about how you can learn reflexology and become a practitioner of the popular therapy.
Luckily, since reflexology is beginning to be such a big deal in the health care industry, it is quite easy to become a qualified reflexologist. You will have to do some work, but odds are you will be able to find reflexology training near your home. Many massage therapy schools offer classes in reflexology and you can even find videos online that can teach you how to perform the basics of reflexology in your own home.
In order to learn the art of reflexology, you will need to gain a greater understanding of the specific points on the feet and hands and what parts of the body they correspond to. There are reflexology charts that have been created and used for years that can be helpful in this process. You will also need to learn about the nature of stress and how it can affect the body. The American Medical Association has stated that 85 percent of all illnesses that people visit a doctor for are stress-related, clearly illustrating how important an understand of stress is when it comes to treating an individual. Reflexology draws upon this principle and works to help patients to be able to be relaxed so that their bodys natural healing will be functioning to its fullest abilities.
Next, you will have to learn the specific massaging motions that are used in reflexology in order to net a result. This step is quite important in the development of your skills as your work will be for nothing if you are not able to successfully draw out the benefits of the therapy with the proper touch.
Reflexology can be a great tool to have at your disposal when it comes to keeping healthy in the home. You can perform reflexology on your self in order to reap the benefits on a regular basis, which can help you to have a stronger immune system and a better sense of concentration. There are so many benefits that regular reflexology can offer that it would be nearly impossible to describe them all. Be sure to do your research and ensure that the school that you are learning reflexology from is reputable. Once you learn reflexology, the skills will stay with you for life and be invaluable when it comes to helping you and your friends and family to be in good health all of the time.

Those who practice reflexology professionally are known as therapists, or reflexologists. They prefer to treat the patient instead of the disease. They do need to have sound background knowledge of the human anatomy and the physiology of the most common of diseases and disorders. A good therapist has the ability to have empathy for the client and to be able to see the needs of the client. Therapists also need to possess good communication skills for dealing with the public at large and the client in particular.

It is important that those that practice reflexology complete competent training.

There is a gradual cessation from first experiencing sessions where relaxation is reached to further sessions in which the outcome goes beyond relaxation and into creating improved circulation and improved function of the neuro-circulation of both blood and lymph. These can improve the neuro-endocrine system and promote homeostasis. Healing of the body occurs when toxins are removed from the body. Each one of us has an individual regenerative power within our body.

Those who treat with reflexology must be trained to recognize the connection between feeling good and the state of health of the body. Relieving stress can benefit the body greatly. The reflexologist needs to be able to communicate with the client and accurately access possible problem areas. The patient needs to relate to the therapist how well the therapy is doing; the patient gives the therapist feedback on the pressure applied and the comfort level of the session.

Reflexology is a broad field and encompasses many avenues in which a practitioner can choose. Reflexology has been used in the birthing process to relax and to relieve nausea that is sometimes felt during labor. There are those who combine reflexology with color therapy, or use sound reflexology. There is also Precision Reflexology (focusing on points of the feet to ensure good health).

Reflexology is easy to learn. It is practiced all over the world. There are reflexology schools, International council of reflexologists, directories where you can locate reflexologists in your area, and there are associations where reflexologists can gather to share tips, network with others and stay current on events in the reflexology world. There are many places to gather, meet others who are in the reflexology field and learn about the standards of care expected of them. Joining an association is a great way to lend credibility to your service.

When considering becoming a reflexologist it is wise to prepare ahead of time by taking health related classes in high school and in college classes. Volunteering in hospitals, or centers working the elderly can help to accustom you to being sensitive to the needs of others. The actual education requires that you participate while in college and to take a 6-month to one-year class in practical work. You can become certified through organization like the American Reflexology Certification Board.

The obvious is that someone who treats others hands and feet needs to feel comfortable doing so. Often times reflexologists are self-employed and need to know how to market their services. Many reflexology organizations have information that can help those who are interested find information about becoming a reflexologist. A new reflexologist can register with directories and organizations to attract new clients.