Of all the holistic therapies I offer in Birmingham, I have to be honest and say reflexology didn't initially add up to me. I thought, how can a persons foot reflect what is happening to them physically? No way, I thought, can't be possible. But that thought was to change dramatically.

I trained on and then went on to treat my first client at college for my course work. We did a consultation, and she told me about her ailments, and we began treatments. As I treated her, all kind of things began to show up on certain areas of her feet, physical imbalances she hadn't told me about.

After the treatment, I thought this can't be right and I told her what I had found, she was gobsmacked, as it really did reflect her physical condition. Even problems she had been to the Doctor with years before had showed up, things she never mentioned to me initially, her body had told me the truth.

From then on, I was open to the possibility that reflexology could pinpoint areas of imbalance within anyone I treated, and that proves to be the case every single time.

I have learned since then, that our body does not lie to us, it will always reflect the truth, and as a therapist, this is invaluable. I will never diagnose, I always work with any given diagnosis from a G.P, having said that, reflexology is always the first treatment I do with anyone who comes my way. It will always tell me the truth, and that is where I begin.

So what is reflexology?

Reflexology is both old and new, it is a unique method for activating the healing power of our own body.

We can, using reflexology, I believe, tap into something that nature has already put there, by accessing a system of energy zones that run throughout the body and reflex area's in the feet that correspond to all major organs, glands and body parts.

A brief History of Reflexology

In the early years of the twentieth century, Dr William Fitzgerald developed the modern zone theory of the human body, arguing that parts of the body correspond to other parts and offering as proof the fact that applying pressure to one area anesthetized a corresponding area.

Dr.Edwin Bowers, Fitzgerald's colleague, used a dramatic demonstration to convince others of the theory's validity.
He showed he could stick a pin into a volunteer's face without causing pain if he first applied pressure to the point in the person's hand which corresponded to the person's face.

In the 1930's Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist for Dr. Joseph Riley, who was also a student and advocate of the theory, used zone therapy in her work with patients. She concluded that since zones ran throughout the body and could be accessed anywhere, some areas might be more accessible and effective than others. She was right. The feet were the most responsive areas for working the zones because they were extremely sensitive.

Eventually, she mapped the entire body onto the feet and discovered that alternating pressure on various points had therapeutic effects far beyond the limited use to which zone therapy had been previously employed, namely, reduction of pain, and so reflexology was born.

What's involved in Reflexology?

All of the therapies I practice I have one underlying goal, to induce relaxation throughout the whole system, from there on in, I can work with specific conditions more effectively towards health and wellbeing.

What I know about stress, is that it will always go to the weak part of the human system, if you suffer with a back problem, it will feel worse when your stressed, if you suffer with stomach problems, it will go there, headaches, irritable bowl, tiredness, fatigue, in fact any weakness, will be made worse with stress, of that I am convinced.

It's been estimated that over seventy five per cent of all illness is stress related. I would add to that and say 100% of illness are made significantly worse through prolonged stress.

Stress, is the result of tension, tension is a result of our thinking, our interpretation of the events that surround our lives.

What I do know for sure is that I can relax your system, reduce your tension using reflexology by generating deep, tranquil, relaxation of the body.

Many clients I have treated routinely fall asleep during a reflexology session, and say that the 30-40 minutes of sleep were more beneficial and restorative than a full night of restless sleep.

We all know how good it feels to lie down in the middle of a busy day. But lying down is just the first step, beyond that lie the deep realms of relaxation and peace that help the body to heal itself and allow healing energy to flow smoothly and gently throughout.

Reflexology improves circulation

We all know how important it is for the blood to flow freely throughout the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to all the cells that make up the tissues of the body and removing waste products of metabolism, and other toxins.
Stress and tension tighten up the cardiovascular system and restrict blood flow. Circulation becomes sluggish. By reducing stress and tension, reflexology allows the miles of cardiovascular vessels to conduct the flow of blood naturally and easily.

Reflexology cleanses the body of toxins and impurities

The body has built-in mechanisms for cleansing itself, mainly the lymphatic excretory, and integumentary systems (i.e., the lymph nodes, the kidneys and colon, and the skin) If these become blocked or function improperly, toxins and waste matter build up. A healthy body is like a healthy home: You have to take the rubbish out regularly. By deepening relaxation, reflexology causes all systems of the body to function more efficiently, including those that eliminate waste products.

Reflexology balances the whole system

The technical term is homeostasis and it means being in a dynamic state of being. To me it means togetherness and centered.

The thousands of parts and areas of the body, each functioning according to its own laws and purposes, together make up only one body. For the body to be healthy, everything must work together. If one part is not functioning correctly other parts will compensate to keep the body running harmoniously, a tune up for want of a better phase is needed. The end result being a system that runs smoothly, with all its parts contributing synergistically.

Reflexology revitalises energy

Energy is very personal, something we all experience in our own way. If I ask you to run around the block twice, you would probably come back tired. If you tell me that your life is very stressful, I know which one will drain your energy more in the long term.

We each experience our own energy levels in a personal way, our bodies have a natural ebb and flow, it really does depend on some many factors, but one thing is certain: energy flows. It circulates and unconsciously throughout the body on a physical, emotional and mental level.

Energy needs to be revitalized periodically, it must flow unimpeded, because "wonderfullywell" and alive requires sufficient energy.

By relaxing and opening up energy pathways, reflexology revitalizes the body and supplies it with energy on all levels.

Reflexology stimulates creativity and productivity

I think it's fair to say very few of us can perform at our best if we are sluggish and tired. Like exercise reflexology restores mental alertness and improves the attention span. By reducing tensions and calming the mind we are free to think our best thoughts, come up with our best ideas, and work longer and with greater clarity at difficult tasks.

As far as I can see, stress is because we become involved in the thought process itself. We become one with the source of our stress, whether that's worrying about work, finances, relationships, whatever, it is because we become involved, at one with problem.

The only solution I can see, is that we learn to stand back, reflexology provides the quiet time necessary, to be able to put a space between your dilemma and your thoughts ,and that is enough to make the difference between coping and not.
It can work as a pick me up in the middle of the day or in the late afternoon, reflexology can send you back to work or into the evening with the mental energy and clarity you need.

My clients go back to their homes, work, feeling more patient and tolerant towards others, and pretty soon their presence changes the whole environment, feeling wonderfullywell seems to be contagious.

Treat yourself and see for yourself, how relaxation spills over into your everyday life.