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29 Oct 2008
THE GOLDEN KEYS THAT WILL MAKE YOU A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL REFLEXOLOGIST
By Tony Porter
My 36 years as a therapist and international teacher of reflexology has taught me many things about reflexology. But there was something that always fascinated me and that was how some students become highly effective reflexologists and helped many people to better health and thus building a reputation and a hugely financially successful career, while others, despite every effort, hardly scratch the surface and never really got going at all.
Have these successful people been lucky, is this the key?
Maybe having a treatment room with candles, aromatherapy oils, soft lights and therapeutic music was the key to their success?
...or being in an area where there are few, if any other reflexologists?
Could it be that they spent lots of money on advertising their services?
...or joining an existing practice where other therapies were given?
It could even be down to how effective their techniques were?
To find the answer it’s definitely worth taking a closer look through each of these.
Luck – For the most part, I tend not to believe in luck, because experience has shown me, time and time again that ultimately we make our own, so I have deliberately taken this out of the equation.
Treatment room – Of course it is important to have a clean, uncluttered and comfortable room for patients. But we need to draw a line between what is more important, the theatricals or what the patient has come in for - an effective treatment which is value for money! Over the years I have been invited to have treatments in some of the most exclusive and expensive spas, located in some of the most stunning locations in the world. The treatment rooms were pure theatre and without doubt must have cost a fortune. Typified by subdued lighting, heavenly scents, relaxing music, water features in front of a Buddha, treatment tables that felt like being in a womb. In some I found myself dozing off even before my reflexology treatment had began! On one occasion I was deeply disappointed. The cost, the surroundings, all had raised my expectations and soon I succumbed to the feeling that I was about to receive the best reflexology on the Planet! And then down to earth with a bump, how wrong I had been, the therapist arrived with her long, painted, and decorated nails which she then proceeded to dig into my feet as she annoyingly lightly thumb ‘walked’ over them. When I complained about feeling her nails, she replied that it was a reflex I was feeling. As they say in marketing, as soon as I could I got out of there and in regards to going back, no way, and as with most one timers, I voted with my feet.
The sad thing is that there are hundreds if not thousands of people doing what she did and calling it reflexology (which it is not), and the public are being duped into believing that this is reflexology!
The point I wish to make, is that in this situation it is the theatricals and not the skill of the therapist, which is the basis of the practice. Out of that situation, she would not have a practice.
Location
Many students, once they have qualified think that if they open a practice in an area where there are no other reflexologists, success will be assured!
How wrong this assumption can be!
Why is this? – The simple answer is that in an area where there are few reflexologists, few people will know what reflexology is! Often it becomes a long and uphill struggle just to inform people and importantly for them to accept and want what you do!
This leads us onto:
Advertising
Of course you need to inform people that you exist , what you do and where you are. This will initially attract patients and give you a start, but what keeps them coming for more treatments?
The answer – your effectiveness in making them feel good and revitalised. This fact above anything else, no matter how much money you spend on advertising is one of the golden keys to success!
Joining an existing practice
This can be an excellent opportunity; it does save a lot of the groundwork of starting up. However even in this situation, to have a continuing and developing practice still depends on your reflexology techniques and skills.
Techniques and skill in performing them
Here is where the Golden Keys to success are to be found.
My own experiences and seeing those of my hundreds of successful students across the world have shown this to be the single most important factor in achieving a successful practice.
.
The first thing to realise is that not all reflexology is the same! The techniques you are probably using and the way you are using them, at the best will suit only a small percentage of your patients!
To coin a phrase: ‘To continue using the same techniques every time on a patient who does not feel benefits while you are expecting something to change is insanity’ a waste of their time, their money, your energy and maybe more importantly, risks to your reputation!’
The default walking technique of reflexology can be effective if performed properly. The sad fact is that it rarely is. Its potential and true essence has been diluted as it is passed down from teacher to teacher until it resembles nothing more than a light, spidery ineffective type of contact.
The Golden keys to your success are found here:
Technique, Technique, Technique!
Realise this one dominant fact. You need to vary your techniques to suit each of your patients. No more than a homeopath or herbalist would prescribe the same remedy for every patient, should a reflexologist think they can apply the exact same technique to everyone of their patients.
The fact is that you cannot assess a patient’s reflex status accurately or treat them effectively by using the same technique. The answer lies in trying different directions and different angles. Then by adding into the mix, ART techniques and you will unveil a completely different reflex reading. It is here that you start to reveal the Golden Keys. Achieving this will allow you to detect and effectively work the disturbed reflex areas more effectively and without wasting time.
You will find that where a patient previously was not responding, by making these changes, they will not only experience the treatment being more therapeutic but will begin to feel better – and this is the best form of advertising you can have!
Different patients, different needs
Another Golden key to success is the realisation that there are two different types of treatment protocols, the first one being:
People do not need to be unwell to have reflexology
Reflexology should be used to keep people well, this is what it was meant for and this is what prospective patients need to be told. In this case a full hour treatment can be given and all the areas of the feet are worked with more attention given to disturbed reflexes. This type of treatment should be given monthly or better still fortnightly.
However in the case where somebody has a medically diagnosed condition and they want to have reflexology as part of the treatment, the protocol has to be different and this is called: Clinical treatment
In these cases, treatment should be given as often as possible, daily if the patient can manage it. If they are a member of your family or a neighbour this will certainly be easier for them. (Important instruction as to how this is carried out is covered in ART seminars).
The main differences with this kind of treatment approach is that once the reflexes have been assessed (which may take a few full treatments) then only the disturbed reflexes are treated, there is no need or indeed advisable to work all the areas of the feet at every treatment. This is often where therapists go wrong in thinking that more is better – in a clinical situation, less is better! Treatments of 20 – 30 minutes maximum carried out frequently as mentioned are immensely therapeutic. This is also financially better for patients, as the do not need to pay the full treatment fee every time and can get two or three treatments for the price of one!
This approach is one of the most important Golden Keys to being a highly successful reflexologist!
It is so important I will repeat it: Treatments that are too long can actually be less effective than frequent short ones. Only the disturbed reflexes need to be worked. Re assessment of all the areas should be carried out after every 8 – 12 treatment sessions.
The confidence of the therapist
No matter whether the practitioner is allopathic or alternative, their professionalism is of utmost importance to the outcome of treatment.
To reflect to patients a positive attitude and comfort, even if their condition is terminal brings about enormous beneficial chemical changes, which can be clinically measured. So make sure how you present yourself to your patients.
In these times of difficult economical conditions only the best reflexologists will get the patients, in fact they could even become busier as people seek treatment for conditions caused by stress and worry.
I am giving you these Golden Keys to success from my own experiences. It’s not that I am necessarily a better reflexologist than others it just that experience has taught me what works and what does not. When I began all those years ago I too became frustrated because I felt I was not being as effective and successful as could be. It was then that I made my mind up to find a better way, which was when I devised the techniques, which form the ART approach. Since that time my practice boomed and I maintained a three month waiting list. Not only have these Keys helped me become successful I have had a wonderful time along the way, treating patients internationally (including members of the Hollywood set) and being able to travel widely in a job I love. Remember this, what I can do, you can do too. Just make the decision to make the changes and dare to be different!
I am always interested to hear of your experiences, you can put these on the ART Forum site to share with other reflexologists.
My Best Wishes
Tony Porter
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