Learning Reflexology - To Do or Not to Do?

[Accomoboymn]

Hi,

I'm currently doing a holistic course in which we've touched upon reflexology. Have really enjoyed it so far and am thinking about going on to do a full course, however my problem is I'm a bit squimish. So far has all been ok at I've had nice feet (phew), but I'm not really sure how I'd cope if someone came in with horrible manky feet although i know you shouldn't obviously treat infected feet.

My tutor has said that once you've learn't reflexology you don't look at feet the same way and that it actually becomes interesting the worse the feet are. mmmhh.....

Just wanted some experience from others who practise this therapy. Am beginning to think that if you have really awful feet then you wouldn't want to go to a reflexologist anyway or is that not the case?

Course is starting soon and is quite expensive and I'm not sure. Any advice or experiences that could help?? Oh and one last thing, do you get a lot of clients wanting reflexology?


Thanks,
Curious

 

[?r??nn? :D]

By 'manky' do you mean covered in callouses, verucae, corns, atheletes foot etc etc? You are unlikely to get many people coming to you with complaints like this - they are more likely to see a chiropodist first! I see people for reflexology who have corns, or a couple of other things going on, but these conditions can sometimes relate to 'stuff' going on in other parts of their body. I generally offer these people a foot soak as a precursor to treatment (for my own benefit really, especially if they arrive after a hard day at work, and haven't had the opportunity to wash their feet pre-treatment!).
As your tutor has said, once you get into reflexology, you do look at feet in a completely different way. They are works of art really!

 

[rgfribpt]

Hi Jabba,

Yes that is what I meant, sorry should have elaborated on it. So far,only had people who have had hard or dry skin which hasn't been a problem and they've been people I know, apart from one of them. I've only done 4 treatments so far so very early on for me. I'm not at the stage of knowing what what signs/conditions mean at the moment which is why I'm thinking of going on to do an actual course just on reflexology.

I do bathe the feet first, although I then find that I can't smell them properly as they either smell of essential oil or foot product. Have recently learn't that feet can smell like walkers crisps. Thought my tutor was joking but I've def smelt cheese and apparently mine smell of salt and vinegar lol.

I guess if I'm interested in it then it's a good sign to carry on.

Do you know of any good books that I could read to which would help in researching what conditions mean? Keep meaning to go the library just haven't had time at the moment.


Thanks,
Curious

 

[Frank the tank]

Hi,

So angry my keyboard keeps going askew and deleted everything I just wrote and cursor keeps moving from where I'm actually writing. Arggh.

Bit different to my inital question but whilst we were practising on each other I experience a healing crisis, loving it and then suddenly got all teary
and sad, felt quite miserable, had to take my foot away and leave the room, came back to have it finished although I didn't really enjoy the rest of it. He only had time to do one foot, my past one (believe it's the right foot). No one else has had this. Don't know if it makes a difference but I'm attuned reiki level 2. My tutor said this is why I experienced it so deeply, which has left me confused as I would have thought with all my self healing that I would be in a better place to recieve it and be well more.....well balanced than the rest so came as a suprise to me. Took at least a day before feelings went away and then was ok. Glad I experienced it but it has left me slightly confused.

Curious.

 

[Mursal M]

Hi, have had thoughts about learning reflexology , but being squeamish myself, I too kept thinking about manky feet . But like people have advised you I expect you learn not to look at feet like that as you'll probably be so engrossed in doing the reflexology.

 

[Damon]

Hi C11

Either you like feet ot not? You have to make that decision yourself.

Whatever you practice, there always be people that will have a hang up about something.

Don't like my feet touched (re: reflexology)

Don't like my head touched (re: Indian head massage)

Don't like needles (re: acupuncture)

Don't want Reiki, my church tells us it's EVIL!

Don't want smelly oils on me (re: aromatherapy)

Don't want to take my clothes off (re: bodywork)

Don't want a pipe up my bum (re: colonic hydrotherapy)

Don't want mind tapped into (re: hypnotherapy)

Don't want nutritional therapy because I may have to give up my favourite cheeky chocky fudge cake, chips and 1 litre of cola per day.......

You name it C11, I have heard negative comments. But of course many people go to reflexologists and other therapists - gain benefit and swear by it. You can't please everyone. I learnt this a long time ago.

To be an empowered therapist you have to believe and enjoy yourself the therapies you practice.

Best Wishes

RP

 

[Alayna]

Very well explained Reiki Pixie

 

[Joe Kerr]

I've never been squeamish about feet but I can add a big 'oh yeah' to how the humble foot takes on a life of it's own when you study and practice reflexology.

I get really excited about peeling skin, lumps and bumps, knobbly bits, strange patches of coloured skin and don't even get me started on strange and wonderful things that people have stuck to their feet sometimes.

When you have hold of someones foot or feet you have hold of their whole being and it's a real privalage. What most clients don't realise is just how much you can learn about someone from their feet and that's before you get working on reflexes.

In my experience the reaction you had is not unusual and is a really good sign that you were responding well to the treatment even if it felt a little full on.

Don't worry about it or your 'healing credentials' - If I had a client with feet that looked like mine I would be really concerned about them !!!!!! This always makes me laugh and keeps me on my mission to look after myself better.

love Lou xxx

 

[Tim Cockhold]

Hi Curious,
You are right to think about this properly before you set about becoming a reflexologist. I'm afraid that if you become a practitioner, you will get all kinds of feet, including some you perhaps would rather not get too close to! But, you will probably get used to it. Do you like having you own feet done? If so, then you'll love the training. I find it's the people with the nicest feet who are most apologetic about them!

Janet x

 

[Silve]

you know what, I have a "thing" about feet, I hate to see people wiggle their toes, it makes me feel physically sick. sometimes adverts show feet wiggling their toes and I have to close my eyes until the advert has finished.

But.......................

I do reflexology! Its one of my most popular treatments.

I find that people who have real problems with their feet get them sorted before they come for reflexology. I actually work above a chiropody clinic so that sometimes works in my favour.

If someone had "manky" feet, they rarely feel comfortable enough to book in for a foot related treatment.

 

[misstorwai]

Before I paid out loads of money to do my diploma course , I went and did a 1 day taster at my local adult education centre it cost about £30 but I thought it was a small price to pay as I would have hated to have spent a small fortune on a diploma course to find out I was a bit squemish about feet. !!
It was such an eye opener and really interesteng. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of doing the full diploma course, it made my mind up for me
I do find that now Im qualifed generally most people who have 'manky ' feet wouldnt come to a reflexologist. Many clients say thay have awful feet, this is rarely the case (however there are always the odd exception! lucky for me Ive not had many!!!!)

 

[Keem]

I actually find almost ALL my clients apologise for the 'state' of their feet. I feel really sad for them especially when they clearly only have 'tired' feet and lets face it most feet can be a bit odourous when theyve been on them all day. I really try to reaasure them that they are completely normal and their feet are not 'manky' or however they describe them. I think you need to just open up a little about feet, to be honest if someone came to me for anything other than a general foot massage I would be surprised if their feet did look perfect. Why would they visit a reflexologist if they thought they had perfect feet? unless they were completely clued up about the healing effects it can have on the rest of the body and wernt really that bothered about their feet being massaged for a stress reliever?

I find I get as emotional as my clients when I give a treatment, mainly because of the fact I see a lot of tired feet and I know that these clients may be experiencing quite a few problems either health wise or just feeling generally a bit out of sorts. Most people have quite a hectic lifestyle these days and feet can be neglected. I am registered disabled and unless I visited footcare experts my feet would suffer terribly.

Reflexology needs the therapist to remain quite grounded and open minded about what kind of feet they are likely to be presented with, it would be very unprofessional to make a negative remark or comment about someones feet , some people feel quite embarrassed about their feet and may have been heavily persuaded to come and have a treatment and this should always be beared in mind, although Im not for one second saying that you would do this..
Im sure if you embark on the full course you will become more tolerant of different feet as you will need to cover a wide spectrum of complaints when you do your case studies. Its a great learning curve.

Good luck xxx

 

[Greek Cigar]

Hi,

I agree with Trinabeanbag - if you are considering investing a lot of time and money in a diploma you should try a taster day first. I run a reflexology school and most people who come on my taster days are wowed by reflexology and can't wait to start the diploma. But, occasionally I have a student who says thank goodness they did the taster day as reflexology is just not for them. Reflexology is my favourite therapy, but I have come to realise it isn't for everyone!