More folks are turning to CAM modalities to improve the overall state of their health according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in America. In a 2007 survey 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of children reported usage of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Those adults indicated their interest in these therapies stemmed from health concerns ranging from anxiety and arthritis to high blood pressure and back pain. Cholesterol, arthritis, insomnia and migraines were also common reasons to use natural therapies.
Some folks may try Reflexology out of curiosity but the majority of clients that come to my practice have wellness goals in mind with their visit. Much more than just a foot massage at a little Asian spa around the corner, Reflexology has a long history of helping bring the body back into balance.
Defining Your Wellness Goals
Start by drawing up a wellness plan, having goals in mind to stay healthy or recover from illness, whatever your specific needs are. Take into account your daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal goals: are you trying to lose weight? Are you on medication for hypertension? Is the change of life coming up soon? Writing out your wellness goals can be like looking up driving directions on a map - where are you now, and where do you want to go.
Adding Reflexology Treatments to the Wellness Plan
Where does Reflexology fit into your health routines? Will you use it to cope with stress on an as-needed basis, or does it go into a monthly maintenance plan? Sitting down and chatting with your Reflexologist about your health history, current wellness needs and goals, and getting her input on your plan can be very helpful. She may have some suggestions to offer based on her experience with the same medical condition or lifestyle. Someone in chronic pain may be best suited to one or more treatments a week for several weeks, while another dealing with occasional constipation may only visit the Reflexologist every other week.
Developing a Reflexology treatment plan together with your Reflexologist can help you both set goals for each session and come back to evaluate progress over the course of treatments. This individualized approach is often what brings people to try CAM therapies - Reflexology doesn't have a one-size-fits-all take on helping people heal and relax.
How to Find a Reflexologist
Many countries have very little regulation of Reflexology making the modality susceptible to false-advertising by persons without proper training. A general rule of thumb in North America and Europe is to look for a Reflexologist with at least 200 classroom hours of training in just Reflexology. Videos, e-courses, weekend workshops and books do not provide sufficient training for a therapeutic modality that requires the practitioner to use very specific techniques exclusively unique to Reflexology.
References:
- Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin R. CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007. December 10, 2008
- The author's experience working as a Board Certified Reflexologist in private practice since 2004.
Amy Kreydin - Amy Kreydin, NBCRT, CCAP, BD is a Board Certified Reflexologist and Clinical Aromatherapist.
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