Archives for December 2015

Dec 30 2015

Working With Complexity

We live in a complex world. Innovations in technology and communication expose us to an increasingly complex landscape that is changing more quickly than we can easily adapt to. Our biology is showing the effects of this constant assault. Our body-mind-spirits are fighting to adapt, to evolve, as we must; and that puts our systems under tremendous stress.

Clients today often present with a laundry list of conditions that may appear unrelated. Visits to medical specialists result in separate diagnoses and treatments designed to treat the symptoms individually. Certainly, a more integrative approach is needed for these clients. What to do?

I agree with Eric Moya, who wrote eloquently on this subject in the December issue of Massage Magazine, that we must honor the innate wisdom and resiliency of the human body and spirit to heal itself. I’m not responsible to heal my client; all I need do is provide a safe opportunity for that person to do his or her own work.

I am constantly reminding my students to keep it simple. Eager new reflexologists want to create a targeted session to address each of their client’s different health imbalances. I don’t think that’s necessary, possible, or the most efficacious approach.

Serving the depleted/exhausted client reminds me of a quote I read many years ago: “the more complex the disease, the simpler the remedy.” I am prompted to do less and just be more. To offer stillness, not “busy-ness”. An environment in which my clients can completely let go. A slow, loving full reflexology session designed simply to relax. Mindful, gentle contact on the solar plexus points along with deep, controlled breathing. And more stillness.

In a world that publicly celebrates personal struggle and achievement, I choose quiet relaxation, for I truly believe it is the basis of all health – body, mind and spirit. Namasté.

Dec 23 2015

Why Learn Reflexology?

In case you’ve ever wondered why someone would spend his or her hard-earned money and valuable time learning how to offer reflexology, here’s what I uncovered by interviewing about 20 grads of the Academy’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification:

~ Massage therapists branch out for two reasons: to STAND OUT IN THE CROWD and to extend their careers. All were either struggling to define and grow their businesses over the scores of other massage therapists in their communities, and/or were concerned about their body’s ability to continue offering massage for many years to come.

~ Everyone else who was engaged in some other form of work, hated it. They did not feel personally fulfilled, and wanted to do something that would serve people more directly, especially in the realm of improved health.

And here’s a sampling of what some individuals did with their reflexology training:

~ One woman combined reflexology with crystal healing, so as to ground people in the physical body at the same time that she was addressing the energetic one.

~ A massage therapist who focuses on injury remediation discovered that her therapy was easier on her body and more efficacious for the client if she gave a 30-minute reflexology session before massaging the ailing body part. Smart woman.

~ A dedicated daughter spending more and more time with her aging mother found herself in great demand to give other residents of the community reflexology sessions as well. A new career was born!

~ A podologist (licensed footcare specialist) and nail tech added reflexology to his services so that his work would not just address the health of the feet, but the rest of the body as well. That’s the ultimate in my books: reflexology and a pedicure! Sign me up!

~ A resident of a popular vacation destination saw a business opportunity when she witnessed tourists complaining of aching feet from sightseeing all day. She plans to set up shop in a strategically located storefront to offer tourists relief from those hot, burning feet. Now, that’s a winner!

~ One grad, who also excels at teaching and coaching, convinced a integrative wellness company to let her teach their staff massage therapists reflexology to give to their clients dealing with chronic pain. How cool is that?

~ A massage therapist, whose husband preferred that she only give full body massage to women, plans to expand her clientele base (and earn more money) by offering reflexology to both men and women.

~ A manual lymphatic drainage specialist wanted another way to help people with chronic lymph conditions. Reflexology was the perfect match; another way to move excess lymph out of the cells.

If you’re a certified reflexologist, how are you sharing your gift with the world?

Dec 09 2015

Reflexology for Cancer Patients

It seems everywhere I turn these days someone has cancer. It’s either someone in my immediate circle or some celebrity being reported on.

Cancer is the great leveler. No matter the stature or prominence of the individual, when cancer enters a family, it is usually an isolating and fear-provoking experience.

I want to share the power of reflexology as a safe and positive addition to other cancer treatment approaches; one that has proven to change suffering to healing, desperation to hope, anguish to contentment and fear to peace.

I also want to introduce my friend and colleague from Israel, Moshe Kruchik – a man moved to create a testament to the gift we give our fellow human beings when we honor and respect their body’s innate drive to heal.

A number of years ago, Moshe took it upon himself to organize the first International Symposium on Reflexology and Cancer. Out of that memorable event came the book, Reflexology for Cancer Patients, a selection of 53 papers from 12 medical doctors and reflexologists who have used reflexology to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. The book also tells the story of survivors who claim reflexology as an integral part of their recovery process.

The book reveals how reflexology closed the lonely chasm that develops between family members and patient by including the family as part of the reflexology team. Being able to offer purposeful, loving touch removed the fear that the patient was too fragile to approach, to touch; and in doing so strengthened the bonds that always existed.

An appendix at the end of the book provides useful information regarding Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Therapies in Palliative Care (CAM) including definitions of therapies recognized by CAM; prevalence of use in various populations; cost effectiveness; risks, benefits, contraindications; which therapy is best for individual disease processes (based on evidence-based research).

I think Reflexology for Cancer Patients is much more than worth a read. It’s inspirational – and imperative for any reflexologist wanting to provide care to those people in their life who are suffering with cancer.

The book can be purchased directly from Moshe’s website or through the book’s Facebook page.

Dec 02 2015

Completion, Certification and Licensing

I receive numerous phone calls and communications from people who mistakenly use words like “certification” and “licensing” when stating what they are looking for from one of my trainings. So, I thought I would explain the differences between a certificate of completion, a certificate of competency and a license.

Certification is not a legal designation. It is an acknowledgement of knowledge and/or skill issued by a teaching organization or a non-governmental testing association (like the American Reflexology Certification Board or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork). Certification does not give you the legal authority to conduct business (ie. be compensated for your work).

A school can issue two different kinds of certificates:

~ A certificate of completion indicating that the individual was present for the hours stated and participated in all activities to the best of their ability. No testing of knowledge or skills is required. These are the certificates that the Academy gives for one or two-day workshops.

~ A certificate of competency is given at the completion of a lengthier training once all assignments and tests have been successfully completed. A certificate of competency is generally awarded for specialized programs such as reflexology, massage, aromatherapy, etc. by the school or non-governmental testing association. It basically attests that the individual is competent enough to provide the service without causing harm to the client/customer. The curriculums are comprehensive, and require hundreds of hours of training. The Academy awards such a certificate for its annual 315-hour Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification.

A license is a permit to work legally in a jurisdiction, often following testing and proof of competency from a recognized school. A license is issued by authorities to allow an activity that would otherwise be illegal to practice. A licensing requirement also provides the issuing authority the administrative control to set conditions and limitations that would serve to protect the public.

While I’m at it, I’ll define compensation. Many people are under the erroneous impression that they can practice reflexology (in a jurisdiction that requires a license) as long as they don’t accept money for the service. Compensation is defined much more broadly than that. Compensation also includes barter, tithe, trade, donation, “love offering”, and anything else that you walk away with in exchange for your service.

Please note that neither the licensing agencies or the taxation arms of governments take kindly to someone practicing illegally.

I hope that clears up some confusion for people thinking of entering the manual therapies field.