Massage therapy is a competitive business, so as a practitioner, it is important to be able to offer your clients more than one service. Some patients may be too frail, have an injury, or be suffering from some physical difficulty that prevents them from having regular full body massages. Other people may not feel comfortable undressing, or you may be working in an environment where a massage couch isnt available. In these instances, if youre trained in reflexology, its still possible to offer clients a hands-on holistic treatment. Even regular massage clients may want the option to try something new, and so having other skills at your disposal can bring huge benefits when you first start out as a practitioner.
What Is Reflexology?
Reflexology is much more than a foot massage. As with massage therapy, the aim of the treatment is to stimulate the persons own natural healing efforts to create balance in the body. We can think of it as a kind of acupressure treatment for the feet. Its a natural therapy based on the theory that there are points on the hands, feet and ears which correspond to different organs, systems and structures in the body . This corresponding relationship is known as a reflex. A reflex happens when stimulation at one point, brings about a response in another area. In this respect it has some similarities to acupuncture, (but without the use of needles!) Reflexology does not attempt to diagnose or treat any particular disease, but has a holistic effect on the person as a whole.
What Does The Treatment Involve?
During a treatment, the practitioner uses special pressure techniques to stimulate points on the feet. As the points are massaged, the client may feel tender spots, or there may be congestion in a particular area indicating imbalances in the corresponding part of the body. Reflexology charts are used to locate the corresponding organs and systems, and records are kept so that follow up appointments can track any improvements made.
What Does Reflexology Have In Common With Massage Therapy?
Like massage, reflexology induces a deep state of relaxation, so its great for helping combat stress. A reflexology treatment will stimulate the free flow of blood and lymph to the tissues and cells, allowing waste to be eliminated from the body. Like massage therapy, reflexology can have a strong detoxifying effect.
There are however some major differences. The techniques employed are very different, and theres no need for specialised equipment such as a couch, or special creams and lotions. From a practical point of view, unlike full body massage, a reflexology treatment can be carried out virtually anywhere, making it an extremely useful skill to have at your disposal.
At Q-Academy, we offer a range of short courses ranging from lymphatic drainage to deep tissue massage. Our courses are suitable for qualified therapists who are looking to earn CPE points, and new students and non-professionals wanting to gain an insight into massage therapy.
Information on all our massage courses can be found on our website by clicking here.