Reflexology offers mental and physical health

Interview: Kim Smith, a Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist   SOURCE: Reflexology offers mental and physical health benefits for all ages

Always looking to try something new, I decided to visit the new reflexologist in Lindsay. Kim Smith, a Registered Canadian Reflexology Therapist and owner of Solely R and R, just so happens to be a foot reflexologist. Not being much of a foot person myself, I have mixed feelings about this new endeavor. For me, feet are ugly, smelly and while I respect their purpose and function, I’d rather not think about mine – or have them touched. So for this occasion, I had polished and primped my feet as much as possible to pretty them up, prepping them for the treatment ahead. Soft-spoken and welcoming, Ms Smith had me lie back in her surprisingly comfortable chair with my feet up, putting relaxing music on the CD player to enhance the mood. Ms Smith explained that the treatment can be very personalized according to the client’s comfort level and she tries to make each experience suit the client. She began with one foot, and because the treatment tends to make people cold, she gave me a soft blanket for my body and wrapped the other foot in a towel. After a brief warm-up to get the circulation going, the actual reflexology treatment began. The textbook definition for reflexology is ‘a natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the hands, feet and ears which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on reflexes, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body.’ As Ms Smith described it, each part of the foot corresponds to a part of the body. She began at the top of the big toe of my right foot reflexology, explaining that it represents my head. Using a series of techniques with her fingers including hooking, walking and compression, she worked her way down my foot. It did not take long for me to relax and enjoy the treatment, completely forgetting that the thought of a stranger touching my feet had freaked me out just a short time before. As she worked the inner length of my foot (which represents my spine), I could distinctly feel a pleasant tingling run up and down my back. We chatted about Ms Smith’s new business and she explained why she felt reflexology and other natural treatments are the perfect answer to today’s fast-paced world and all its stresses. “Everyone is in such a hurry these days. Everything is so fast-paced on a daily basis. I think it’s important for everyone to just take some time out for ourselves – whether it be reflexology or yoga or whatever.” There are also more practical benefits then relaxation, she said, “It helps to cleanse your body and it will help your organs function better. It is extremely relaxing.” By the time she moved on to my left foot reflexology, I had nearly stopped talking and was lying back and enjoying what feels like a foot massage. Ailments can also be detected through reflexology Ms Smith said, like a disturbance she discovered on the ball of my foot directly below my pinky toe, representing my shoulder. There is a distinct grinding sound as she works the area, and she spends more time on it then the rest of the foot. By the time I got up from the chair I couldn’t believe how relaxed I felt – almost too relaxed; considering that I had to go back to work for the rest of the day. All I wanted to do was slip under some covers and have a nap. The experience was everything that was promised: relaxing, soothing and ultimately very interesting. I was intrigued to learn that our feet, probably the most underestimated part of the body, can be the gateway to total body health. Specific ailments that reflexology is meant to help include: migraine headaches, constipation, arthritis, back pain, allergies, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and many others, but Ms Smith is quick to say that everyone can get some measure of benefit from reflexology. “In the long-run, basically everyone benefits from it. Let’s face it; no one is in perfect health.” Having just opened, Ms Smith is looking for new clients, and can also make house calls for those who are most comfortable in their own environment. To contact Kim Smith at Solely R and R, call: 705-324-1327

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Therapist offers pain relief

Pain relief trough reflexology: Certified massage and occupational therapist offers pain reflief. SOURCE: Therapist offers pain relief

Certified massage and occupational therapist John Whalen has opened a new facility in Connellsville — A Healthy Place. A Healthy Place is located at 110 Arch St. Whalen offers an array of services including reflexology and trigger point therapy. Whalen, a Connellsville native, is a graduate of Geibel High School. He is certified in occupational, massage, sports, orthopedic, oncology, and pregnancy therapy. Whalen originally started his career as an occupational therapist. In 2001, he continued his schooling. “I wanted a change in my career and my real interest has always been massage,” Whalen said. “I’m remarkably happy with the change.” Whalen graduated from the Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy. “I offer a different type of massage,” Whalen said. “I work with each client individually, giving each my full attention and focus. I offer advanced medical massage therapy and that’s my focus. I don’t do spa treatments or wraps.” Whalen’s services at A Healthy Place include acupressure, aromatherapy, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, and pregnancy, reflexology, sports, Swedish and trigger point therapies. “I work with a lot of orthopedic and sports clients and cancer patients (oncology massage)” Whalen said. “And I really enjoy what I do. My goal is to help my patients with pain relief.” Also important to Whalen is listening. Whalen takes ample time to sit with each potential or long-term client, listening to their thoughts and concerns pertaining to their trouble areas. “I listen,” Whalen said. “I listen to what they tell me and I go by how their body feels.” Whalen takes his therapies outside the office, going directly to his clients. Most of Whalen’s services can be performed at any office location, clinic, work site and in the clients’ homes. Combining his skills with a relaxing atmosphere, Whalen will also perform massages at the poolside, campsite or vacation hideaway. “I travel to you if needed,” Whalen said. He also volunteers his services at numerous functions and fundraising events. “I’ve worked at the U.S. Open as a volunteer and for the Jerome Bettis Association. I also volunteer for certain charities or community events. I have always gotten a lot from the community, and I like to give back when I can and volunteer at events. If I am able to help, I will.” Family orientated, A Healthy Place’s services are offered to clients of all ages. “There are as many reasons for receiving massage therapy, as there are different types of people,” Whalen said. “Almost everybody benefits from massage in one way or another.”

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Changes may put reflexologists out of work

South Africa: change in ‘therapeutic’ legislation: The term “therapeutic” might be removed from the names of the professions of aromatherapy, massage therapy and reflexology. SOURCE: http://www.reflexology-news.com/reflexology/reflexology-news.htm

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There is the fear that scores of aromatherapists, reflexologists and massage therapists will be put out of business if proposed changes to the registration of therapeutic health practitioners go ahead. The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) wants to petition the minister of health to change legislation so that the term “therapeutic” is removed from the names of the professions of aromatherapy, massage therapy and reflexology.This means people in these fields would be known as practitioners. They would also have to register with the health council.Tracy Chambers of the SA Association of Health and Skincare Professionals said this would influence the entire industry, as anyone wanting to practise reflexology or aromatherapy would have to comply with council regulations.

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The council has said the reason for the change was to prevent people from practising as therapeutic therapists without registering with them.Chambers said the distinction between therapeutic – meaning that it was used for healing – and non-therapeutic treatments was misleading, as both required the same knowledge. Registered therapeutic practitioners would also be barred from offering treatment in any circumstances other than medical referrals.“It impinges hugely on the industry,” Chambers said. Gayl Hansen, director of the Cape Institute for Allied Health Studies, said the proposed changes did not look at the “bigger picture” of the need for basic skills at grassroots levels. There is speculation that practitioners wanting to register with the AHPCSA would have to do a four-year degree – meaning they could practise on a clinical level. “This is very short-sighted,” Hansen said. She said the council needed to have multiple levels of entry and training in the health care industry so that therapists with basic reflexology training could still work in beauty salons. Therapists with clinical training tended to work for themselves, not in a spa or beauty salon. However, the non-registered therapist without clinical training, but with the skills to do reflexology or massage therapy, would be unable to practise. Debbie Drake-Hoffmann, the registrar of the AHPCSA, said the change would not put therapists without clinical training out of business. “On the contrary, if spas employed registered therapists it would ensure the public receivedstandardised quality treatments.” She said current legislation prevented council-registered practitioners from working for health spas or beauty salons, but the council was reviewing these regulations. The deadline for comments on the AHPCSA’s proposed changes is July 31.