Myths And Realities Of Foot Reflexology

From Nearly A Thousand Feet

“What can you tell me about my life?” says a client who just received foot reflexology from me at my office.  In my head, I’m thinking, “I’m a therapist not a soothsayer,” but of course I go on to talk about the physical observations I noticed in their feet instead of verbalizing this.

At my office I have had the distinct opportunity to provide reflexology for nearly half a grand of people.  One of the things I have come to realize is that my job often has more to do with educating people on misconceptions of what reflexology is “supposed to be,” then just simply performing reflexology.

Reflexology is a very general term to talk about any one of two dozen or more styles of feet or hand bodywork steeped in the practices of various cultures from around the world.  In the U.S. it seems to mainly be in reference to the American technique or some form of Chinese or Thai foot work.

Some Of Those Misconceptions Are: 

• This is going to be really painful and unless it is painful, it’s not going to be effective;

• All types of reflexology are exactly the same, so if one practitioner is different from another practitioner, someone is doing it wrong;

• This is going to fix my plantar fasciitis, hammer toe, bunion, etc.;

• You can read my life history through my feet and tell me secret things that are wrong with me that even my doctor doesn’t know;

• I am going to always feel a huge shift in my energy and health from a session and it’s going to happen right away when I get up from the table;

• Everything that has led me to come here and get reflexology today will be resolved in one session.

These are all incorrect statements, in part, or in whole.  There is so much more at play in treating a person with any condition that blanket statements almost never seem to work, just as they don’t seem to work in any other area of life.

The Reality Is…

Every person is different, from genetics to exposure to environment to age to having a conscious connection with the energetic self (qi, prana, meridians, etc).  If I wanted to put a blanket statement to the misconceptions above, it would be “No, that is incorrect.”  Since life is almost never a blanket statement situation, my real answer is “Yes, but…” or “No, but…”  There often is a kernel of truth in ideas like these, they’re just often over-simplified.

I enjoy educating my clients. So, if you think you may not know about something, next time you’re in, just ask. :)

Myths And Realities Of Foot Reflexology I’ve Come To Realize From Nearly A Thousand Feet

“What can you tell me about my life?” says a client who just received foot reflexology from me at my office.  In my head, I’m thinking, “I’m a therapist not a soothsayer,” but of course I go on to talk about the physical observations I noticed in their feet instead of verbalizing this.   

At my office I have had the distinct opportunity to provide reflexology for nearly half a grand of people.  One of the things I have come to realize is that my job often has more to do with educating people on misconceptions of what reflexology is “supposed to be,” then just simply performing reflexology.  

Reflexology is a very general term to talk about any one of two dozen or more styles of feet or hand bodywork steeped in the practices of various cultures from around the world.  In the U.S. it seems to mainly be in reference to the American technique or some form of Chinese or Thai foot work. 

Some Of Those Misconceptions Are: 

• This is going to be really painful and unless it is painful, it’s not going to be effective; 

• All types of reflexology are exactly the same, so if one practitioner is different from another practitioner, someone is doing it wrong;

• This is going to fix my plantar fasciitis, hammer toe, bunion, etc.;

• You can read my life history through my feet and tell me secret things that are wrong with me that even my doctor doesn’t know;

• I am going to always feel a huge shift in my energy and health from a session and it’s going to happen right away when I get up from the table;

• Everything that has led me to come here and get reflexology today will be resolved in one session.

These are all incorrect statements, in part, or in whole.  There is so much more at play in treating a person with any condition that blanket statements almost never seem to work, just as they don’t seem to work in any other area of life. 

The Reality Is…

Every person is different, from genetics to exposure to environment to age to having a conscious connection with the energetic self (qi, prana, meridians, etc).  If I wanted to put a blanket statement to the misconceptions above, it would be “No, that is incorrect.”  Since life is almost never a blanket statement situation, my real answer is “Yes, but…” or “No, but…”  There often is a kernel of truth in ideas like these, they’re just often over-simplified. 

I enjoy educating my clients. So, if you think you may not know about something, next time you’re in, just ask. :)

Cade Holmseth is a licensed, award-winning massage therapist who delivers more than you’d expect.  For more information check out his site.