How does a typical session start?
The practitioner may choose to focus on a particular area of your feet, depending on your specific health issues. You will sit or lie down, remaining fully clothed except for your shoes and socks. The practitioner may clean your feet using unscented wipes or wash/soak your feet in warm water, then you will lie down on your back with pillows supporting your head/shoulders and knees.
The practitioner will begin by assessing your feet for open wounds, rashes, sores, plantar warts or bunions and will ask you about any foot or leg pain that could hinder treatment.
Generally, a session lasts between 45-60 minutes. You can rest or talk during the session at your discretion. You may fall asleep during the session; however, you will still experience all the benefits of the treatment.
How many sessions do I need?
When clients are dealing with a specific illness the number of sessions varies and is determined by their health and reasons for seeking reflexology. In general, results from reflexology are often subtle and are cumulative.
A general recommendation might be to begin with a session every other week for 6-8 weeks, followed by a “tune-up” every month.
What happens in the end of my session?
The important aspect is for you to feel comforted and nurtured, and to feel that you have had time for yourself during the session.
Now that the session is complete, you should not feel rushed. Gently bring yourself back into the present moment, and slowly allow yourself to sit back up or stand when ready to go. You will feel rested and energized.
The practitioner may recommend that you drink water, rest if necessary, and pay attention to your body in the next few days. If any questions or concerns arise, you should be able to reach the practitioner.
Various reactions may occur following a reflexology session. These, too, are subtle, and are often not recognized by many people as a result of the reflexology therapy. Many of the reactions are positive signs that the session is part of a healing process; other symptoms are indicative of the body’s attempts to return to a state of balance and harmony. Symptoms usually last for 24-48 hours. Reactions may include:
- Increased energy and enhanced sleep.
- Relief from pain and your joints feeling more flexible.
- Much more relaxed than you came in.
What is the intake form?
A reflexology session begins with the practitioner conducting a brief health history, checking for reasons why reflexology might not be the best choice of therapy for you.
The practitioner explains how reflexology works and what happens during a session. The reflexologist also informs you that reflexology does not treat specific illness and is not a substitute for medical treatment. You will be asked to sign a consent form.
Remember that it is okay, and even expected, for you to ask questions. You should feel comfortable communicating with your reflexologist.
What I will expect in a reflexology session?
A complete reflexology therapy session uses many different techniques (thumb walk, pressure point release, etc.) and includes working all of the reflex points on both feet. The session generally starts with a warm up procedure of your feet and accessing the reflex points from top, following with the work down to the heel, then accessing the sides of your feet, alternately.
If your reflexologist finds congestion or tightness on reflex points during the session, she will apply light to moderate pressure to work on bringing the body back into balance. The reflexologist stimulates the nervous system to do the work and can return to any area or spot at the end of the session, if necessary.
Experiences with reflexology sessions vary from a general sense of relaxation and rest to a conscious awareness internally of the area of the body where the practitioner is working through the foot.
Many people experience a “tingling like” in the body, as well as feelings of warmth, or quite the opposite of feeling cold when the body starts to relax. The room ambient is set with all these body transformations in mind in order to accommodate them. Blankets, heating pad, etc are available during your session.
Other reactions during the session range from physical to emotional and may include:
- Perspiration of hands or feet
- Sensation of being cold or chilled
- Feeling light-headed
- Coughing
- Laughing or crying
- Sighing deeply
- Overwhelming desire to sleep
- Disappearance of most pain and discomfort
- Loose, relaxed muscles
- Thirst
Is reflexology covered under extended health care?
No, unfortunately not all plans cover this service.
