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THE 'DANGERS' OF REFLEXOLOGY!

19/6/2014

27 Comments

 

Looking back over my 43 years in reflexology practice and teaching, I am glad to know that many things have changed for the better, but I find it frustrating that some prejudices and misinformation persist.

In the early days, reflexology had something of a 'summer afternoon with tea and cakes' image about it, at least this is how it was recognised by the majority of people. The practice of reflexology was something one did when the children left home and one had time on one's hands - all very nice and genteel!

But there was another more worrying side of reflexology as a profession, particularly in the U.K. I remember being told by a tutor, that reflexology, if used incorrectly, could have dire consequences for the recipient if certain rules were not strictly adhered to.

Amongst these gems of misinformation was the danger of spending too much time on a reflex, and never to give more than two treatments weekly.
We were even told to use a stop-watch to time to the second the time we spent on each reflex. If a miscalculation was made with this, and the treatment was thirty seconds too long, the wrath of the heavens would fall on the poor patient!

I can recall, as a young reflexology acolyte, being haunted by the fear of the effect my reflex, timing miscalculation would have on that day's patient. A night filled with anxiety! 
As for giving three treatments in the space of a week-that was heresy! How would the patient's body be able to handle the bucket loads of toxins which would be gushing into the blood stream?

Added to this were the pages of contra-indications we had to learn by heart, which meant that nearly every new patient had to be referred to their GP to confirm they were well enough to receive a treatment!

Thankfully, sanity now dictates that these beliefs are less predominant, but it is still surprising to me that there remain many reflexologists who are still fearful of the damage they could cause to a patient.

Even today it is believed by some that reflexology must never be given during pregnancy, or at least not until after the first trimester, for fear of causing miscarriage. Where did this come from? As if nature forgot that a pregnant lady may safely walk on a stony or pebbly surface.
Perhaps there should be should be warning notices on all pebbly beaches making people aware of the fact that walking on them may cause miscarriage or cardiac complications!

I have treated thousands of women throughout pregnancy; it is a time when both mother-to-be and the foetus can benefit from a treatment. I am not suggesting a 'gung-ho' approach, far from it, but an appropriate treatment for each particular patient.

Other pearls of advice included never to treat a person with implants, such as hip, knees etc. as this could cause rejection! I ask you, where does this stuff come from? Add to this heart conditions, cancer, diabetes and others.

I was once told by an eminent tutor while I was demonstrating working on the heart reflexes, that it was dangerous and could damage or even stop the heart! What a way to commit the perfect murder! Another reprimanded me about the dangers of working too hard on the spinal reflexes as it could crush the spine! A therapist told me that she watched a piece of shrapnel (which was embedded in WW2) migrate through the skin of a patient while she was giving a treatment! Not to mention the supposed anti-poison reflex on the feet which was all the rage a few years ago!

Reflexology, applied in the proper manner, is a wonderfully energising, relaxing therapy, capable of being beneficial to the recipient. It is not destructive, but constructive - it does no harm. Certainly patients can experience a variety of responses after a treatment; sometimes a feeling of wellbeing, and sometimes, slightly unpleasant sensations. The body will do what it has to do following a treatment. We as reflexologists cannot put our fingers in the spokes of the wheel of nature's healing response. It will do what it has to do in its own sweet way, as it has done since the first amoeba rejoiced at being alive.

Do your great work with this knowledge and respect in mind, and without trepidation.

My Best Wishes
Tony Porter
 
27 Comments
Lucy Wells link
23/6/2014 12:11:47 pm

What a wonderfully, inspiring piece. Just what my instincts and commonsence has been telling me all along. Feeling inspired 👣

Reply
Pam Giblin
23/6/2014 03:58:24 pm

Fantastic article, well written and made me chuckle. Thank you :)

Reply
Roos de Rijk link
23/6/2014 04:51:09 pm

Amen.

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hal
24/6/2014 01:04:07 am

This is such a well written article and really made me laugh. Thanks for that. ;)

Reply
linda Forrest
24/6/2014 03:07:41 am

I couldn't have put it better myself!
Thanks Tony. x

Reply
Sarah link
5/7/2014 11:50:48 am

So refreshing and inspiring, thank you for this wonderful piece if common sense.

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Jill link
15/3/2017 01:16:06 pm

Just one done reading thus fighten me so this gove heart attack spine toubles or rrad it wrong

Reply
Tony Porter link
15/3/2017 04:11:06 pm

Dear Jill
I cannot understand your comment.Could you send again, explaining more clearly.
Thank you
Tony

Reply
AVictoria
23/3/2017 08:53:39 am

Hi Tony,

Great piece of writing it's good to get some grounded reassurance and advice.

I was wondering if you'd be able to help me, a new client can to see me two weeks ago for her first reflexology treatment and she's emailed today to say since the treatment she's had constant headaches. I've not had a healing reaction last this long before, can you advise?

Reply
Jill link
2/7/2017 06:59:41 pm

Since had mine done in March .not been right at all ..gad this done before been fine .but ever new lady done to me fighten me .as not tight since plus nade anixery worse ... etc what like to know is reflexology realky safe

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Susan Serrels
3/1/2018 07:23:50 pm

A good read.
I am training with IIOR.

I am struggling to find research with regard to a question and was wondering if you could help me with the explanation to this question.

What are the warning signs for the practitioners if you are treating a severe case of kidney trouble?

Would really appreciate your view on this.

The only logical explanation I could come up with is advise client they can drink 150mls of water to assist detox and if blood or sever pain advise client to emergency immediately.


Best regards

Sue

Reply
Tony Porter link
3/1/2018 09:17:44 pm

Dear Sue
Thank you for your comment.
I am not sure of your question concerning the warning signs of severe kidney problems.
There are, as you must know several, one of which is oedema of the ankles, legs and other areas. Usually accompanied with severe fatigue.
You would have noted these from the conversation during the consultation, and assume that the patient was under medical care.
Reflexology treatment can be useful - kidney/urinary problems I have found to be very amenable to reflexology.
It is not just a case of concentrating on the kidneys, but on the urinary system and the other areas of the feet in general.
I advise that you give general, treatment sessions, with some focus on the urinary system. I favour treatments of 25 mins 3 x weekly and not challenging the patients thresholds.
I hope this is of help
Please contact me again if you need further information.
Best Wihes
Tony

Reply
Sue Serrels
8/1/2018 10:01:40 am

Hi Tony, brilliant article thank you.

The question regarding dangers was a reference Eunice Inghram mage in her book. The question was part of homework..
Q: what did Eunice say to watch out for while treating someone with severe kidney problems?

I found her answer although I wS wondering what your response was.
Thank you for that.
Very early days for me.
Cheers
Sue 👣😊

Reply
Tony Porter link
8/1/2018 10:45:58 am

Dear Sue
Thank you for your response to my article 'The 'dangers' of reflexology'
I am glad you liked it.
Eunice Ingham did not recognise contra indications in the way they are in some circles today.
However the kidneys respond well to reflexology and in some cases can be hyper-responsive. Interestingly this commonly applies to red heads. The key is to know when they have been treated sufficiently.
As I mentioned in my last comment, this is by the 'feel' of the disturbed reflex in this case the kidneys.
This is the secret of fully effective reflexology, a subtle 'release' change takes place during the contact phase. Once this takes place, further contact is stopped on the reflex for that session. At my seminars I call this as the disturbed reflex as being 'cooked'.

Working in this manner means that each patient is treated to their unique, physiological response, meaning that any therapeutic reaction is gradual.
Getting back to red headed patients, they can often be hyper-responsive to treatments, which is why I suggest to students to keep treatment duration to 15-20 minutes over 2-3 times weekly particularly at the initial treatments. Red heads have more sensitive feet as well.
I hope this has been informative to you.
My Very best wishes and every success with a great life in reflexology.
Tony Porter

Soundarya
7/1/2018 08:54:16 am

Hi Tony,

I am a reflexologist (Beginner). Would you please share the details of the duration for one session, time gap between first and second reflex and the time taken for one reflex.Thanks in advance

Regards
Soundarya

Reply
Tony Porter link
11/4/2018 12:33:59 pm

Dear Soundarya
Thank you for your question which I will answer as best I can here.
Duration of session: This depends whether you are giving a maintenance or focused session.
A maintenance session is given at intervals of a week or more. The duration in this case can be an hour or more. All the areas of the feet are worked on.

A Focused session: Is where an issue can be given more focus. In this case mainly the identified 'Disturbed' reflexes are worked. Session time is generally between 20 -30 minutes, given at least three times weekly, in some cases where possible, daily for 10 days.
To work in this way needs experience and training. I have at times treated in hospital situations given three short 10 - 15 minute treatments daily. Again experience is needed to work in this way.

How long to work a disturbed reflex:
The answer is when the disturbed texture returns to normal or at least changes towards normal. Once this has been achieved there is no need to continue working that particular reflex. It will mean working the reflex for a minute or so before moving to another/s before returning and working again.
I repeat, once the texture/pain has changed further contact is not necessary until the next session.
So the answer of how long to treat a reflex is in the feel as I have described. To work in this way needs proper training plus experience.
My Best wishes
Tony

Reply
Tony link
8/1/2018 08:26:51 am

Dear Soundarya
Thank you for your comment to my article 'The 'dangers' of reflexology.
I do not really understand your question.
With reference to the duration for one session.
If it is a general (maintenance) session It will be around 45 minutes.
If a more focused approach is required then the duration will be between 20-30 minutes several times weekly for an appropriate duration depending on response.
There is no fixed time to treat disturbed reflexes - it depends how they react to specific types of contacts. This is derived through the information derived through tactile sensitivity.
My Best wishes and every success in your reflexology career.
Tony Porter

Reply
Dee Witherspoon link
7/4/2018 12:23:36 pm

Dear Tony

Most Excellent Article. In truth I have read this before but it only increases my belief in Reflexology and how much it helps. I met you briefly in 2010 at the AOR summer school in Harrogate and you changed my perception of Reflexology. I now work more intuitively with the reflexes and adapt my techniques to the person/condition. May you continue to dispel the myths and encourage the (responsible) use of this amazing therapy.

All the very best

Dee Witherspoon

Reply
Tony Porter link
11/4/2018 12:12:02 pm

Dear Dee
I am glad that you liked my article.
In all my years in reflexology since 1972 and giving many thousands of treatments, and meeting colleagues throughout the world, I have never experienced or heard about reflexology causing adverse issues.
Reflexology is a gift to mankind, it does no harm. A degree in medicine or whatever does not necessarily make for a better reflexologist, in fact I have seen the opposite to be true.
It is the application of effective contacts combined with the ability to 'read' what is detected through touch which is paramount.
Tony Porter

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Joan
7/4/2018 06:25:56 pm

Great article. Very inspiring

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Melissa link
11/5/2018 05:08:51 am

Great blog ! Thankyou for sharing your expertise! I hear alot of foolishness about massage myself ! I have to just laugh ! Thankyou for the laughs as well! I enjoyed reading! 😁

Reply
Tony Porter link
17/5/2018 10:46:46 am

Dear Melissa
Thank you for your comment to my Blog.
There is so much sham reflexology and misinformation today.
Eunice Ingham must be turning in her grave!
I wish you well
Tony

Reply
Liz Coleman
17/7/2018 09:04:30 am

Loved this article.. i certainly trained with all that contraindication talk.. but also with a bias to a very firm approach. With all yours years of experience have you ever believed reflexology helps a patient with a terminal cancer diagnoses live longer?

Reply
Tony Porter link
20/7/2018 03:44:37 pm

Dear Liz
I am pleased that you liked the contraindication article.
With rerefence to your question regarding reflexology in a terminal cancer prognosis.
First of all I have found throughout my career that reflexology is of great benefit to the majority of people with cancer. The benefits include relief of pain, improved vitality and wellbeing, combined with a more positve outlook.

Each case is different and certain factors need to be taken info account to suit this individuality.

For example those going through chemotherapy generally derive great benefit from regular reflexology sessions. Again, there are factors to be taken into account as to the type and duration of each session. There are cases where a more focused and firm type of treatment needs to be applied, and others where the opposite is indicated.
Knowing the type of treatment depends very much on the condition of the patient, combined with experience of the therapist.

What I can say is that an oncological consultant with whom I worked with for many years, derived great benefit from quite robust reflexology sessions from me while he was undergoing chemotherapy for terminal cancer. He was so impresed that he stated that reflexology should be included in general cancer treatment, (this I am pleased to say is taking place in many hospitals in the U.K. at this time.

The key obsevation is if the patient feels better during and after treatment.

My observations have led me to believe that if our treatments: reduce pain, improve vitality and bring about a better quality of life, then these patients will have more to live for.

It well maybe ( and I suspect) that EFFECTIVE reflexology may have other benefits, such as better immune function and improved oxygen uptake amongst other benefits.
It must be remembered that not every person undergoing cancer therapy wants to be given reflexology, let alone even touched - this must be respected!
My Best wishes
Tony Porter

Reply
Nicolas link
19/4/2019 09:33:34 pm

Whats the best way to find a good reflexologist?

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Jessica Love
5/2/2020 07:15:51 am

Thank you for a helpful blog! I personally like Hand reflexology it is a healing massage method. When it’s administered, force is applied to sections of the palm to invigorate other body parts. you can read more about it <a href="https://www.nysraweb.org/reflexology-hand-chart">here</a>

Reply
Cora Spa link
20/11/2020 10:22:32 am

Really Helpful article thanks for sharing

Reply



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    Tony Porter

    Tony is a London-based reflexologist and founder of Advanced Reflexology Techniques (ART)

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