Lie back and put your feet up. I'll massage and press on reflex points all over each foot giving particular care and attention to sensitive areas. Feet are viewed as a 'map' of the body. Foot reflex points correspond to different parts of the body. Reflexology aims to release blocked energies, restore flow, bringing a sense of relaxed wellbeing throughout the body which relieves stress and returns you to balance and better health.
What Is Reflexology?
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| The front of the torso and matching areas on the sole of the foot |
For example, the toes correspond to the head and neck, the ball of the foot to the chest and shoulders, the sole of the foot to the abdomen, and the heel to the pelvic area.
Within these larger areas, are specific smaller areas and points for particular organs and structures of the the body - these are called reflexes.
What Are the Benefits of Reflexology?
As a Reflexologist, I believe Reflexology can release blocked energies, and stimulate and restore energy flow throughout the body, activating your bodies own natural healing mechanisms and bringing the systems and organs of the body to balance.We know that Reflexology aids relaxation, improves mood, helps release tension, aids sleep, and improves wellbeing.
I do not diagnose, prescribe or claim to be able to cure any health condition. I can say that relaxation and stress-relief is about much more than a temporary feel-good factor, as stress is a major cause of mental and physical ill-health. This in itself may bring relief from a wide range of acute and chronic conditions and symptoms.
"I have visited Ceri at Holistyx for reflexology. She conducted a very thorough review of my health and my reasons for trying reflexology for the first time. A few days after my very first visit I realised that I no longer had the extremely annoying throat clearing cough I've had for over 40 years. It had been such an ever present part of my life I'd forgotten to mention it during the health review. It is over a month since my first visit and I'm about to have my third treatment and the cough has not returned. It's amazing! The sessions I've had have been extremely relaxing and I leave with a great sense of well-being. They are going to be a regular part of my keeping healthy regime."
Ms Penny Park, Lancaster.
I am happy to focus on the reflexes for any problem areas. eg.
- If you have IBS I can spend more time on your digestive system, particularly the gut.
- If you have a cold, hayfever, or asthma, I can work the respiratory system, eg the lungs, throat, nose and sinuses, and chest lymphatics.
- If you are having fertility problems, PMS or peri-menopausal problems, I can focus on the reproductive system and connected areas such as the reflex for the pituitary gland which regulates our hormones.
- If you feel a lot of anxiety the solar plexus I'd be sure to spend time on the solar plexus reflex, and also the adrenal glands which produce adrenaline when we feel challenged and stressed.
However, Reflexology is a holistic therapy. This means it does not treat symptoms or medical conditions - it treats the whole person. On a first session I prefer to give a thorough treatment where your body will tell me through your feet what points in your feet most need work to bring you back to balance.
"Careful and considerate treatment with empathetic understanding of its effects on the patient, clearly based on sound knowledge of bodily energies and inter-connections."
Mr Paul Shackley, Lancaster.
Whether or not you have medical issues, it is a lovely relaxing treatment and most of us could do with a boost to our health and wellbeing. Many of us give our feet a hammering on a daily basis, and end up with sore, tired, achey feet.
So why not try putting your feet up for a treatment which releases tension and provides stress relief, relaxation, and a sense of wellbeing throughout the whole body?
"Really relaxing, uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable. Ceri is very intuitive and works on all the places I feel need it. After a treatment I feel much more grounded, and clear and peaceful, and much more alive and flexible. My feet often feel swollen, puffy and throbbing when I arrive and afterwards feel relieved, supple, relaxed and brilliant!"
Ms Chloe Fenton, Lancaster.
Evidence for Reflexology: What Does The Research Say?
Unfortunately, there has not been a lot of high quality Reflexology research. However, there is a blog post here which lists some of the research findings we have that I know of.Reflexology works on an individual basis, and everyone responds differently. The only way to find out whether you will find it beneficial for you, is to try it and see.
What Happens in a Reflexology Treatment?
You lie fully clothed on the couch in ‘recliner’ position with cushions to support your head, under your knees, and your ankles. That way you are upright enough to give me feedback or to chat, and laid back and comfortable enough to close your eyes and just drift off as you start to relax. Then after a quick cleansing wipe, the whole of each foot gets stretched, massaged, and stroked using fingers, thumbs and knuckles, until it is nicely relaxed. Then thumbs and fingertips are used in a special reflexology technique to press all over the foot from toes to heels both underneath the foot and on top.
I will observe as I am working for sensitivities, sore points, blocked energies, and crystaline deposits under the skin. These areas will get particular attention. Many people are surprised when there is a reaction in a reflex that relates to an area of the body with a health issue they have forgotten to mention. Reflexology can be so relaxing you fall asleep. However, bare in mind that in some people, some reflex points may be briefly quite painful! This will subside as the reflex is worked. This tends to be followed by a wave of tension release throughout the body as the body is able to relax more deeply and come back to balance."Yesterday Ceri visited House Morgain and did a reflexology treatment on my feet.
I knew the basics of how it works but had never actually had the experience before. It did always seem logical to me because there are so many nerve endings in the feet. I also knew how sensitively feet express emotions.
But in my long experience over decades it is not so much the -ology or the -ism as it who does it. This is certainly true of Ceri. She is a gentle, patient, deeply intuitive healer who yet has that touch of ruthless certainty where to be tough. Again and again she “touched on” a zone which connected with the health problems I have, without me telling her what they are. She “listened” to my body and then talked to it in no uncertain terms! It was a delicious experience of trust to receive her care. Safe hands.
Afterwards I went to bed and slept deeply, more deeply and more thoroughly than I have in months. The stresses of these challenging months fell away from me.
Today I am striding about, lighter on my feet than for so long. My back is stronger. My head which was muzzy with fatigue, has cleared. My mind is bright and quick and I have cleared a big load of work so I’m caught up. Plus done some satisfying tidying around the House and handled some bundles of complexity without strain. Who is this woman I am today? I like her!
To all those who live anywhere near Lancaster I so envy you. You can go Ceri at Holystix to get refreshed, heal, gain strength and increase brightness and pleasure in life. You lucky people!"
Ms Shan Morgain, Newport, Gwent.
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