Learning reflexology?

[dipshi_t]

Hi i want to take a evening course in reflexology cos its free (im unda 19) and wud like to be able to use it on myself and frends/family. Do you know how they teach it - with volunteers or u practice on eachother? And what are case studies - do they give you someone to do it about or do you do it on someone u know?
P.S. if that fella Dave is about, dont bother answerin - i beleive in it And what?

 

[William T]

It doesn't matter what you believe, it's still a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. It's just a foot massage. As long as you're doing it for free and never tell someone it will help cure any ailment you aren't a bad person. If you ever charge for it or claim it has medical benefits, you are.

From source #2:
"Conclusion - Foot reflexology was not shown to be more effective than non-specific foot massage in the treatment of psychological symptoms occurring during the menopause."

Again, it's just a massage.

 

[Reiki Chick]

I'm am already an experienced holistic practitioner and have studied many different holistic therapies for over 14 years.

I also have been looking into what is involved in becoming a reflexologist because it would be a good compliment to my other services. According to everything I have found, its a very involved process. It starts with a few days worth of theory training, followed by practical training. Then a written exam and practical testing occurs.
After that, I believe you need to provide and document 60 practical sessions - which are submitted for review by the association. Once that is complete and passed, you will need to complete a final exam before being licensed as a reflexologist by the government.

Everything I have researched says you have 1 year to complete the process and pass or your training expires and you need to reapply.

If you have found a class this is one evening only and free, then I would suspect its only an introductory class designed to give you an idea what reflexology is all about. Probably its being run by a reflexologist who is trying to educate the community and build up his/her client base.

If its something you are interested in, then I would say go for it and check it out. It won't harm anything, and you might pick up some simple techniques you can practise on yourself. if this is something you want to pursue as a job, you need to research the state/provincial associations to find out what is required in your area.

I included links for more detailed info on qualification requirements.

I hope that helps.

 

[Gary Y]

You would have to really find that out from the course information notes. Any reputable course should have this available. Or contact them and ask.

If it's free it can't hurt to do it, provided you don't go around making false health claims. That is unethical, and dangerous.

Be open minded - research reflexology in more depth - and not just the one-sided proponents version, look at the objective information and evidence as well. Wikipedia is always a good place to start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflexology

As far as case studies - try PubMed, it's a search engine that accesses the vast medline database.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/

 

[Avondrow]

There is nothing to learn, it is a pseudo science with no basis in reality. It is based on a homuncular notion of how the body works that is simply wrong, and which was demonstrated to be wrong centuries ago. Just because you can get certificates in something does not make it valid!