The ‘walking’ technique has been the default setting for reflexology since Eunice Ingham first described it in her seminal book, Stories the Feet Can Tell, published in 1938.  Since that time it has undergone various interpretations and dilutions. 
 
The prime objective of reflexology is to detect disturbed reflexes and apply the appropriate contact.  In a recent blog I made the point that reflexology has something of an Alice in Wonderland quality when it comes to the detection of reflexes: not everything is as it seems.  It is impossible to make a reliable reflex assessment and give the appropriate contact by using only one technique.  Reflexology is not a ‘one size fits all’ therapy. 


And yet, this is how most reflexologists practise.  Erroneous practice protocols are based on this notion.  Case histories and even research evidence are drawn from this one-dimensional approach. 
 
A comparison can be made with the Indian parable of the five blind men and the elephant.  It was suggested that each of them feel a different part of the elephant.  To the one who felt the trunk it felt like the branch of a tree.  To the one who touched the tail it felt like a snake or a rope.  To the one who touched the ear it felt like a fan, and so forth.  In the same way, each reflexology technique reveals only one perspective or layer of the reflexes.
 
To make a comprehensive assessment of disturbed reflexes it is essential that, in addition to walking, a range of techniques is used.  This can only be achieved by using the fingers, thumbs and hands in a variety of ways.  It was with this in mind that I conceived a protocol that became known as ART (Advanced Reflexology Techniques) in 1983. The techniques have been steadily developed ever since, and now include Focused Reflexology©

Another important factor is the depth of contact. Reflexology has mainly become identified as only something to lull the patient into a somnolent state. This may have a use in a spa setting, but this approach does not explore the full therapeutic potential of the therapy. This can be achieved by a more focused and positive approach.
  
ART Techniques
The fingers and thumbs can be used in ways other than walking: there are variations of contact such as static, pulsing and sliding.  Sometimes lubrication can be used, but in a specific and frugal way.  It should not be used in conjunction with the walking techniques.
 
This is why it is important to begin a treatment without lubrication. 
   
Without lubrication
Working without lubrication reveals certain types of reflexes, enabling a range of contacts to be made.  For instance, thumb walking can be used with manual flexing of the foot, or the application of pulsed and static contacts. 
 
The dorsal/lateral surfaces of the feet are generally neglected in traditional reflexology, yet they contain a matrix of therapeutic reflex areas.  Again, these are best contacted without the use of lubrication.  Focused movements which move the skin over the skeletal structures of the dorsum, and a static application of the same contact, can only be performed without lubrication.  The same goes for the dorsal surfaces of the toes, another neglected area which elicits a powerful response that can be felt throughout the body of the patient.
Effective contact of these areas can only be achieved through controlled and focused contact of the fingers.
 
Lubrication
Lubrication can be used for specific techniques and adds other dimensions to the treatment.  The dorsal/lateral areas can be contacted effectively in a different way with lubrication, using specific focused techniques.  This also applies to the dorsal areas of the toes.  Lubrication is not necessary for every patient; it depends on the type of foot, texture and other factors.  If used, it must be used very sparingly, or the treatment will become more of a foot massage.
 
The use of different types of contact and stimulus reveals a new perspective to the potential of reflexology as a therapy.  Like discovering buried treasure, these contacts will reap rich therapeutic rewards.  Having a range of techniques, literally at your fingertips, enables the individual reflex textures in all variations of feet to be detected and contacted effectively.  Once experience of these alternative ways of working has been gained, a different world of reflexology will be revealed, not only to your benefit but, most importantly, to the patient.
 
My best wishes,
 
Tony Porter

Tony Porter seminars

www.artreflex.com

This is a question that we as reflexologists are frequently asked.
No matter how much anecdotal or clinical evidence based on our experience we provide, the fact is that it is not enough to convince the hardened doubters.
What is needed is to provide an experience to these people which will give a positive indication of the power of reflexology.

On an individual basis, just receiving a treatment may be enough, but this takes time and will not generally provide the dramatic evidence required to impress a group.
What is needed is a way to demonstrate the powerful physiological effects of reflexology in a short time. Is there a way?
The first step
There is a basic way that can be used to great effect, which is to treat one foot only, after which the receiver walks around, and because only one foot has been worked they will be able to experience the effect on the body far more than if a full treatment has been given. (the other foot can then be worked on)
This is a good strategy which can be used where groups of people are present to observe the reaction.
The second step
Although the one foot strategy is effective there is another refinement which produces even greater and often quite dramatic evidence for the powerful effects of reflexology which also demonstrates the therapeutically powerful reflex, potential of the toes.
The toes
 are mainly a neglected area and are not given a ‘fair crack of the whip’ when it comes to reflex attention and yet they are so important in reflexology. It is possible give an entire and effective treatment by only working on the toes.

The toes are the reflex pathways to the body and brain.
It may be because they can be difficult to work on that they are demoted to something of the no man’s land of reflexology. Their role confined to that of the sinuses, eyes and ears.
However that is demeaning their significance and potential.
Giving stimulus to the toes generates and distributes vitality throughout the body.
It is because of this that they provide the key in demonstrating the power of reflexology. This will be made apparent if only the toes of one foot are worked on.
The important point is the way they need to be worked. The key words are positive stimulus, using a range of techniques with and without lubrication. All the areas of the toes must be worked, plantar, medial, lateral and particularly dorsal.
 It takes me approximately ten minutes. I suggest twenty minutes to start with.  Exchange sessions on colleagues is an excellent and vital way to practice.

Remember one foot only; do not touch the other foot.
After the allotted time, the receiver is then asked to stand up and with bare feet, walk around and give attention as to how their body feels.
The response is generally one of surprise and amazement as to how the same side of the body of the foot that was worked feels so different from the other. Not just relating to the foot but from the foot up to the head.
Remarks such as the ‘worked’ side feel so more relaxed compared to the other (this can be observed), or that it feels warmer. The shoulder and arm will often feel warmer and more relaxed than the unworked side. Also the side of the face may have a more flushed look than the other.
A tingling from the finger tips to the side of the head is another experience.
This protocol, as long as it is performed correctly, demonstrates the potential and magic of reflexology.

To be able to work the toes effectively is the corner-stone in the treatment of a range of neurological conditions.


Tony Porter Focused Reflexology©

The next London Seminar
September 16-18th 2016
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In my previous blogs I highlighted the importance of the gut for health and wellbeing.
I made the point that as the gut is central to many functions of the body, as reflexologists we need to make this an area of focus in our work.
Those in the naturopathic community have long been advocating that the gut can be the harbinger of a variety of diseases.
What is becoming evident is that it is not just diseases of a physical nature, but also neurological. This link has seemed tenuous, but there is mounting evidence that there is a much stronger link than expected.

The gut is something of an island, by this I mean that it can operate independently, even if all the nerve innervations from the brain and spinal cord are severed, it will continue to function merrily along on its own. The reason it is able to do this is because it has its own brain, composed of a hundred million neurons.

Apart from this, the adult human gut is home to an astonishing 100 trillion bacteria. To put this into perspective, it is has ten times as many bacterial cells as were descended from the sperm and egg of the parents. In other words we are more alien than human.

The egg and sperm provide approximately 23,000 different genes
the microbiome (which is the name for the alien civilisation in the gut) has around 3 million genes.
The microbiome should really be considered as an additional human organ.
Weighing just over two pounds (around a kilogram) it deserves this title.

When the bacteria of the microbiome are working in harmony they support the smooth working of the body. The bacteria have many vital and life-supporting functions (far too many to mention here) such as providing immunity, vitamins, and hormones such as testosterone and oestrogen.

Problems occur when this finely-tuned system is thrown out of balance, either through perversions of diet, drink, and not forgetting prescribed and OTC  pharmaceutical drugs, which leads me to the following-  

Earlier this year a headline in the London Daily Telegraph caught my eye:
Indigestion drugs taken by millions of people linked to dementia
The article was highlighting how a study has shown that a common group of drugs taken for heartburn, acid reflex and peptic ulcers could increase the risk of dementia by 44%
(German centre for neurodegenerative diseases)

It may be that the drugs throw the microbiome out of balance, causing disease of this nature to manifest.

Diseases such as multiple sclerosis, autism, asthma, heart disease diabetes and obesity are now being considered as linked to a disturbance in the microbiome.

Dr Barry Peatfield writes:
‘Now I want you to think of the cells of the microbiome as acting together, like some enormous brain-but alongside our own brain, helping our own genetics and other needs.
What an extraordinary powerful weapon we have when all these things operate; together we can be masters of our own destiny, our own health, our own wellness. This brain is able to intervene at almost any level, working alongside our own brain’.
The Peatfield clinic for metabolic health advice

Since my early days in physical therapy I have increasingly become aware of the role of the gut in many health issues. That is why, as reflexologists we should, whatever the presenting symptoms of the patient, always abide by the maxim of ‘Treat what you find and not what you are looking for’
As an example, in the case of hormonal issues, it can be easy to let our judgemental bias take over and ignore what the reflexes to the gut are trying to tell us.
In my next Blog I will focus on, how different types of contact need to be utilized to be able to obtain an accurate reflex assessment.
Tony Porter seminars
www.artreflex.com