You go to your doctor to get a problem diagnosed. Then you get a solution to the problem (hopefully). You go to your Reflexologist to help a problem. Reflexologists do not diagnose. It is not their job. Their job is to find the congestions in the reflexes of the hands and the feet and get rid of those congestions by activating your natural re-balancing system through specific reflexology techniques.

Of course, as the Reflexologist finds congestions in certain areas, he or she will ask you if you have certain medical problems relative to that area. But the Reflexologist does not diagnose what medical conditions you suffer from. In the case of back pain, reflexology will help with the pain. There is no doubt about that. But if you don’t have x-rays, MRIs, or a medical diagnosis already, do not expect the Reflexologist to guess the precise nature of what is wrong with your back – should there be anything wrong at all other than repeated bad posture, lack of physical activity, and therefore weak muscles.

It is the duty of the Reflexologist to refer you to a physician should he or she suspect you have a serious medical condition. Reflexology is a complementary therapy. It works very well as a complement of “normal” traditional western medicine when there are serious medical conditions involved. It allows for faster, easier, and less medicated recovery in most cases. The more the Reflexologist knows about your specific problem, the better he or she can do his/her work. But medical Reflexologists are also very good at helping those who have tried every other type of treatment without success, simply because reflexology activates the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

There are no contraindications to performing Reflexology treatments on children - even infants -, the elderly, or chronically and/or very ill patients. On the contrary, everyone can benefit greatly from Reflexology treatments. However, for these categories of patients it is preferable to make the sessions shorter BUT to treat them more often than regular patients (10 to 15 minutes twice a day would be ideal). Pressure must also be reduced. The tolerance for pain of this group is not the same as that of other patients. It is important to take that into account and increase the amount of pressure very slowly over several sessions.

Reflexology is commonly used in hospitals in the UK and in Denmark. It is now slowly being introduced in American hospitals.

Sometimes people with back pain can gain the most superb benefits as a result of having the lightest of touch in Reflexology. I have been delighted for so many clients when they report that their treatment of Gentle Touch™ Reflexology has really alleviated their back pain. One particular client was in extreme pain as he was experiencing a great deal of muscle spasm pain. He contacted the Institute for Complementary Medicine (UK) for a reflexologist who may be able to help him. On his first treatment he said he could feel a kind of tingling and warmth and after leaving he was initially concerned when his back briefly felt more uncomfortable but was followed (a few hours later) by a dramatic reduction in his pain. This client is a highly professional gentleman who now continues treatments if he feels any hint of a reoccurrence. He has now been living and working to the full. Interestingly I first met him when he was 60 and he is now 78 and still going strong!
There are many different forms of Reflexology and levels of pressure that are used to gain the maximum benefits for clients. Gentle Touch Reflexology (www.g-t-r.org) is a specifically gentle application of reflexology that can suit people of all ages and with all conditions. It is especially useful in cases of extreme pain and with people who are very sensitive or feeling fragile. It is also recommended for both babies and children. Many reflexologists are now choosing to make a variety of type of reflexology techniques available for their clients and some specifically offer Gentle Touch™ Reflexology.

Sent by Sue Ricks of the Sue Ricks School of Complementary Therapies in the UK - www.suericks.com