Reflexology just for pleasure

[Aaron Says]

Do people have reflexology purely for pleasure or is it just a means of treating/diagnosing a specific health problem?

I ask because I wanted to try reflexology but haven't actually got anything wrong with me, my friend is having it to help with a back problem and my Auntie is having it to help with bad migraines. I love pressure being applied to my feet, and usually fall asleep. When I'm having a normal Swedish massage I wish the therapist would spend more time on my feet, but I do realise they have a special routine that they need to stick to.

Thanks in advance, and I hope it's not a silly question!

 

[TheDarkLaith]

I *love* having my feet done. I can't think of anything nicer (well, almost, lol) than a foot massage and/or reflexology. Would much rather have that than a Swedish massage. I've no reason for going other than I love it.

 

[Huckleberry Sin]

Oh, good. So it's not just a means of treating a medical problem as such then?

 

[brittaney r]

Well, when the reflexologist asks why I've come I just say for relaxation - and I'm whipping my socks off as I speak

 

[Poonboi]

hi, i am in my last few weeks of my course and reflexology is my last therapy to learn,
reflexology is a brilliant therapy just to relax, but also a great therapy for other ailments which the therapist doing the treatment may find on your feet, ie crystalization in your shoulder reflex, or in your neck reflex, that may show areas that you were not even aware you were carrying tension.
i love having my feet done also and i also fall asleep and relax more having this treatment.
so if relaxing is your treatment plan you will be pleasantly surprised how trance state you will find yourself in

Laylaxx

 

[Didwaypyday]

Reflexology is a brilliant treatment for all, it really helps reduce stress and is soooooo relaxing. I give it to all my family (hubby,son,20,daughters,19 and 7, on a regular basis and we are all relatively healthy, I am sure the reflexology helps us remain relaxed and loved and balanced. I would thoroughly reccomend it to all. Please try it soon, you can only benefit.

 

[bkqaddfl]

Definitely, also benefits as a preventitive

 

[bvbfcjgg]

Everyone has mentioned how profoundly relaxing Reflexology is - and that alone is a lovely reason to receive a treatment as a gift to yourself, or to someone else. Another option, if you aren't too worried about getting a therapeutic treatment (i.e. from a registered practitioner) is to go to a beauty clinic. Many beauty clinics offer Reflexology as a pamper treatment. It'll be at least £10 cheaper and is more, well, pampering... rather than therapeutic.

Ava x

 

[hignGunny]

I feel its the most de-stressing and relaxing therapy out there - so YES - of course you can have it just for pleasure! You can only benefit from it!

 

[sun8979]

The two beauty clinics I use don't actually offer reflexology, just Swedish massage.

The place I was planning on visiting is a Chinese medicine clinic. If their reflexology is as good as their regular massage I'm in for a treat! I'm going for a session tomorrow. Can't wait.

 

[hoxffuxa]

Oh you lucky devil! I am a Reflexologist, myself. The best Reflexology treatment I've ever had was on holiday - by a TCM practitioner. Amazing!

Ava x

p.s. one of my friends had something Reflexology-ish when they were in India. The treatment used a stick (like a long thumb) - which the therapist poked into the meridian points. Agony, apparently, however the therapeutic effects were amazing.

 

[The Shadow Knows]

Hello Rosie, of course you can have a treatment purely for pleasure!

Any good massage therapist would not need to stick to the routine. One of my clients asks to miss out the arms and abdomen so she can have longer on her feet.

Ava, your comment about beauty therapists offering reflexology only in a cheaper pampering form has made me cringe.
I'm shocked salons do this... I can't imagine incorrectly providing a beauty treatment, but offering it cut price.

There's a massive difference between a foot massage and reflexology. If they provide it purely for pleasure, why call it reflexology?

(My rant is aimed at salons, not you ava. x)

 

[CarlG]

Tai foot massage uses sticks... if it was that?

 

[Caroline]

Hi Urban Hippy

"Ava, your comment about beauty therapists offering reflexology only in a cheaper pampering form has made me cringe.
I'm shocked salons do this... I can't imagine incorrectly providing a beauty treatment, but offering it cut price."

Do you know what - I actually think that this 'dumbed down' beauty therapy version of Reflexology has a place. I've had a couple of clients who went to a beauty clinic for Reflexology - and got some sort of relief from their condition. They decided to get some real Reflexology and see what that could do, and they've been able to clearly see that it is a superior experience.

The negative side is that if a client's only/first exposure to Reflexology is through a beauty clinic, and it has negligible impact on their condition, then Reflexology as a therapy may be dismissed as ineffective. Which I suspect, Urban Hippy, is what you are focusing on - and to be honest I have to agree that it's a real problem. We'll not know how many potential Reflexology clients we've lost because a lovely foot massage offered by a beauty clinic is labelled as 'reflexology'.

"Tai foot massage uses sticks... if it was that?"

Hey, it seems that that was indeed what it was [see here]!!

Ava x

 

[Pompal 09.]

I have just returned from my first proper reflexology session, it was amazing! really, really relaxing. I couldn't really communicate with the therapist as she spoke only very little English but she did say "pain where?" before she begun. I said "no pain, just to enjoy" and she laughed!

I'll definitely be returning for more. I love the Chinese approach to Medicine and therapy.

 

[wfxgndol]

So happy to hear you enjoyed Rosie, reflexology is simply wonderful.

I totally agree with you ava, just think the negative aspect will have a bigger impact.

 

[Baby Aries]

If a foot massage is thorough, it covers the whole foot and therefore all the 'reflexes' too - so surely this provides the same benefits as a 'therapeutic' reflexology session?

 

[Ashlene Nicotine]

Ha! No, Reflexology is not a foot massage - any more than Acupuncture could be compared to a body massage! Reflexology has a specific sequence, and applies specific types of pressures, to specific parts of the foot. It's a bit more than rubbing a bit of oil over your feet a la foot massage. Ha! x

Here's a bit of info about the differences between Reflexology and massage (which is a bit more helpful than what I've said!).

Ava x

 

[Justin Fike]

I respectfully disagree with your approach

I am trained in reflexology, and although I was taught a sequence this is not exclusive - I have a couple of reflexology textbooks and both have sequences different to the one is was taught.

I was taught to use a firm pressure, via static pressures and thumb walking, but firm pressures can be applied using a number of different techniques. Also I believe some forms of reflexology ("gentle touch) emphasise a light pressure.

I was also taught that a good reflexology treatment covers the whole foot, (and so cover the 'reflexes' of the whole body) - so I think that a good foot massage can replicate this effect also.

In my practice, I have moved away from basing my treatments on 'reflexes' due to a lack of evidence of their existence, both in research and in my own observations, and moved towards a pure massage approach. I believe that I now provide a better treatment, as I use a wider range of massage techniques rather than just thumb walking/static pressures (better for the client and for my thumbs!). Also the benefits of the treatment I give are more scientifically verified. Furthermore, I think that my treatments give all the benefits a reflexology treatment would give, as my massage covers all the 'reflex points', and if I find any areas of tension I spend extra time working that area.

I have recently started renaming my treatment as 'therapeutic foot massage' rather than 'reflexology' as this is probably a more accurate name, although previously I have been very careful to inform clients of the nature of the treatments before they begin.

Most of my clients are looking for relaxation or relief from anxiety/depression, and I have many satisfied customers. I think that my approach does turn off clients looking for a traditional, 'reflex' based treatment, but I also get client returning who prefer a straightforward massage and do not beleive in the 'reflex' model.

 

[Ninni]

Hi Longvines

I'm perfectly happy for you to disagree with me, especially since you are a fellow reflexologist - who has modified the traditional Reflexology routine to suit your clients' needs. If you offer your clients a 'good foot massage' and they are happy with that, then, well, I have no problem with that. Everyone is happy.

Ava x