REFLEXOLOGY

£40 per 1 hour treatment

pay for 5 treatments in advance and receive 6

What is reflexology ?

A gentle but powerful treatment which can help tackle anxiety and stress related problems by inducing a deep state of relaxation. As it has been estimated that about seventy-five per cent of disease is stress related, reflexology can be a major contributor to the return or maintenance of health by reducing stress levels.  The treatment is carried out mainly on the feet and is suitable for all ages. With reflexology, I have been able to help, amongst others, people living with extreme anxiety, older people living with dementia, insomniacs and people who are keen to keep as mentally and physically fit as possible. More recently I have been supporting a client who has long COVID. Early indications are that they are finding the treatments beneficial.

It is an ideal treatment during pregnancy as it is non-invasive, very relaxing and you will be in a comfortable position for the treatment .  

I have undertaken additional training in maternity reflexology and it is always a pleasure to share the pregnancy journey with clients and help support them at this special time. Research has shown that reflexology can be beneficial in pain reduction during labour and reducing the times of the second stage of labour. Please click on the following link to read an article written by Sally Earlam, Head of Training and Education and Maternity Specialist for the Association of Reflexologists, with whom I trained, to read more about reflexology in pregnancy and available research. https://www.ifwip.org/reflexology-pregnancy/.

I also have experience of treating people living with cancer. Reflexology can offer comfort, relaxation and a feeling of empowerment at this difficult time. The Royal Marsden normally offers reflexology, along with other massage in the belief that it can help with pain, muscle stiffness, anxiety and fatigue.

For a reflexology treatment at Natural Ways to Better Days, you will be seated in a spa quality electric couch which a client likened to sitting in business class when flying! It is generously padded and has the ability to be upright for those in the later stages of pregnancy, for example, or reclined. That, together with a heated couch cover helps with the overall feeling of relaxation. The treatment room is filled with lovely aromatherapy smells, candles and the odd plant or two!

Following a sensitively conducted verbal consultation, you will remove your shoes and socks, sit back and begin to experience the wonderful sense of relaxation that can be enjoyed with reflexology.  

Using a certified organic cream, I will use specific techniques and massage to work on each foot in turn to access different points which reflexologists believe correspond with different areas of the body.   By working these points, we aim to help the body return to a state of balance by improving circulation, and by helping the nervous system switch into its ‘rest and digest’ mode, meaning the body can work at a more optimal level.  As well as using the information from the consultation regarding your health and lifestyle, I will also work with intuition and experience to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment for you.  It is worth noting that there are over 7000 nerve endings in the feet and so perhaps it it no wonder that this holistic treatment can have such an effect on well being.  Clients are sometimes surprised that a reflexology treatment can leave them feeling more relaxed than a full body massage.

Although there is no scientific proof yet as to exactly how reflexology works, more research studies are taking place on the effects of reflexology in many areas of health care. There have been two studies from Japan using functional magnetic resonance imaging that show increased blood flow into the specific area of the brain that corresponds to the reflexology point that is being worked on the foot. So when the eye point was pressed the facial area of the brain lit up. This supports the fundamental premise of reflexology that by working a specific reflex area on the feet, this has an effect on blood flow in the corresponding area of the body. (https://www.ifwip.org/reflexology-pregnancy/. ref 7&8). It is not a new therapy and in fact can be traced back to 2,500 BC with an ancient Egyptian illustration depicting a medical practitioner giving hand and foot treatments to patients. It also has deep roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine. That said, modern advances in knowledge of how the body works have led to reflexologists being able to offer more tailored treatments.

Training is thorough and reflexologists have a sound knowledge of physiology and anatomy and have had to meet exacting professional standards if they wish, as I am, to be a member of the Association of Reflexologists. The Association of Reflexologists is currently working with the NHS on ‘helping people stay healthy and moderating demand upon the NHS’. This quote is from the NHS Long Term Plan. As a complementary therapy, reflexology can be a beneficial addition to your health care but not a replacement for visiting your GP if you have particular medical concerns. We do not diagnose or treat specific conditions, but rather offer a holistic treatment that aims to support you both mentally and physically.

Reflexology works on an individual basis.  Some people find it very beneficial, some don’t.  The best way to find out is to try it! 

For more information about reflexology and to see an interactive foot map, please visit the Association of Reflexologists website : www.aor.org.uk