Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Professional Therapeutic Reflexology

The Benefits of Membership

After reading over the membership benefits on the Reflexology Association of America website, a woman wrote and asked me how I personally have benefited as a member of RAA. She asked how becoming a professional member changed my day-to-day life as a reflexologist.

Great questions; I really appreciated them, because I realized when having to come up with a response that I never asked myself those questions when I joined RAA. Maybe I figured I just needed to since I am a professional reflexologist; maybe it just felt like the next logical step to take in my professional career. Not sure, but I do appreciate the opportunity to identify what benefits I do derive by being a professional member of my association. Maybe my responses will provide clarity to others who, like this woman, are considering joining the Reflexology Association of America.

So, in no particular order, here are the reasons I am grateful and proud to be a professional member of the Reflexology Association of America:

1. Client referrals. My name (and contact information that I want to publish) is available on the RAA website for anyone looking for a reflexology practitioner in my area. The RAA listing links directly to my website, an important feature for anyone in business. I have personally acquired many clients this way and this is the number one benefit cited by members.

2. By adding my name and voice to the US national membership organization, I help to bring professional credibility and recognition to the field. Helping to further the field of reflexology and its wonderful benefits is important to me. As the field moves inch-by-inch closer to state- by-state licensing and recognition by the National Institutes of Health, the numbers are very important, trust me. Reflexology is taken more seriously the more practitioners we have operating at the professional level who value their field enough to join forces as members of an independent, non-profit membership organization. As reflexology gains more recognition, so will its practitioners. Plain and simple.

3. Personal credibility. The public perceives someone listed on a professional membership site as being better qualified than those not listed. Like it or not, that’s the truth folks. This is a considerable benefit when people are researching whom they will allow to touch their bodies and to whom they will give their hard-earned money. As a teacher of reflexology, it is equally important to me to be able to state that I am a member in good standing of this country’s only national professional reflexology association.

4. When people contact me (and lots do) looking for a reflexologist in some other part of the state or country, the RAA website is the first place I check (well, actually the first place I check after the Academy’s list of graduates!). I know that I can feel confident referring someone who has successfully completed a program in study of substantial hours. How is that a benefit to me? Well, I feel good knowing someone is going to receive reflexology from a qualified professional and that someone is going to get some business because of my small efforts. And I like feeling good!

5. I really enjoy the Reflexology Across America magazine, delivered to my mailbox quarterly. It keeps me informed of reflexology events, legislative movements, accomplishments and challenges nationally, internationally and state-wise. As a member, I can submit my opinions and articles for publication. As an example, RAA publishes all the research case studies the students in the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification complete. I also really appreciate that RAA has stuck to a policy of printing a magazine and not abandoning the tactile version for an online posting.

6. As a professional member I receive a significant discount to the biannual conference. I’m not really a fan of big gatherings, but just two RAA conferences shifted my comfort level in this area. So much so, that I decided to step up to the plate (see #11). Where else can you spend three days in perhaps a new locale (next year’s is in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico – can hardly wait!) with folks from all over the world who share your passion and curiosity for the same subject?

7. Another benefit is access to reflexology research sites. This is the second biggest reason members visit the RAA website. Research data will increase your confidence in the power of reflexology, which will translate to how you speak about reflexology to others, which will translate into more business and a healthier society. (BTW, watch for the completely redesigned website later this year.)

8. As a member, I receive e-blasts on time-sensitive issues and breaking news, so I stay really current on the important matters affecting my life as a reflexologist, and if necessary to the issue, am given the opportunity to take action.

9. RAA has available to its members a number of printed brochures that can be useful in building a practice: Discover Reflexology and Identifying the Legitimate Reflexology Practice (deals with human-traffickers infiltrating our industry).

10. Several insurance companies offer liability insurance discounts to RAA members. Always nice to save a few bucks!

11. RAA is a family of talented, dedicated and passionate individuals who are extremely inclusive when it comes to the running of the organization. It offers many opportunities to anyone and everyone to engage in dialogue and activities, both state and national, to help shape the future of reflexology. Last summer, following the 2012 conference I found myself just organically wanting to get involved at the national level; that surprise awareness resulted in my being elected to the national board. As a Director, I currently chair the website committee, charged with the complete overhaul of the website, and the education committee that is creating feasible and forward-thinking strategies to increase the quality of reflexology education in the United States. I have to tell you, that since becoming involved – and perhaps this has been the greatest benefit to me of membership – I have felt nothing but joyous camaraderie, amazing support and respect, and most importantly, a sense of contributing to something bigger than me, my own clinical work and even my reach as a teacher. Even if you decide not to volunteer your services, as a professional member you get to vote on who runs the organization.

So, I hope the inspiration for this post agrees with me that there are plenty of reasons to become a professional reflexologist – especially so when the price of membership is so inexpensive ($75 for professional and $50 for associate).

The RAA membership renewal process is now underway for this year. If you would like to join at the professional level or associate level (reflexology student or school), then the time to do that is July 1st when the new year starts. Check the website for  membership qualification details.

Sick and Tired of Living with Headaches?

Forty-five million adult Americans live with chronic headaches. The International Headache Society lists 200 causes! For people suffering with headaches, one of the most challenging parts is identifying the root cause, because without knowing that, it’s simply a “hit and miss” game to treat this debilitating symptom.

To make it a bit easier, the International Headache Society has broken the causes down into three main categories: Primary, Secondary and Cranial Neuralgia/Primary Facial Pain/Other. (FYI, I make it a little easier in the Say Good-bye to Headaches class.)

Primary Headache Pain

Primary headache disorders are said to occur independently, in that they result from changes in blood vessels, nerves and muscles, not as a secondary response to disease or injury. The most familiar primary headaches are associated with stress: migraine, cluster and tension.

Secondary Headache Pain

Secondary headaches are actually symptoms of underlying disorders or diseases, such as high blood pressure, injury, dental problems, sinus infections, drug over use, psychiatric problems, etc. The pain is your body’s way of informing you that something serious is going on and that you need to pay attention! Unfortunately, many people don’t, just brushing it off as “another headache”.

Cranial Neuralgia/Primary Facial Pain/Other

The causes of these headaches are many times idiopathic, and generally affect the nerves that enervate the face and head.

Both reflexology and gentle massage therapy techniques are well known to help tension and migraine sufferers (Primary headaches).

Secondary headaches, on the other hand, are more challenging to address, as one must first identify the cause of the headache. If the pain results from a physical injury, both reflexology and massage may be beneficial. If pathology is the culprit, this is where reflexology excels, because reflexology can address and support the physiological systems of the body, unlike massage, which addresses the soft tissue only.

The 1-day Say Good-bye to Headaches course is a class that could change everything – for both your clients who suffer from this life-limiting condition and you, the therapist. By transforming the lives of people living with head pain, you can transform a sluggish practice into a thriving, focused business. In addition to designing individualized hands-on session protocols, you will leave with the materials and skills needed to coach one-on-one or offer small classes in your community to those people who are sick and tired of living with headaches.

Act now. Class is next Saturday, June 8th and is open to reflexologists and massage therapists.

Obstacle or Opportunity?

If you were to ask me what is the question I am most often asked regarding certification in reflexology, I would have to say that my response to that question is sometimes viewed as the biggest obstacle to working as a reflexologist. It needn’t be.

The issue has to do with the legalities surrounding the professional practice of reflexology in the United States. In this context, the word “professional” refers to anyone who accepts compensation for his or her work. “Compensation” is defined to include cash, barter, trade, tithe, love offering, donations; i.e. something with monetary value.

Many US states require professionals to hold a state-issued license before accepting any form of compensation for their services. Some jurisdictions exempt reflexology from any licensing laws; some license reflexology as a separate practice. Some allow an individual with a cosmetology license to offer reflexology as part of those services. Since states have different (or no) laws governing the professional practice of reflexology, it is always in your best interest to familiarize yourself with the requirements of your state if you are thinking of practicing reflexology. You don’t want someone from your state Attorney General’s office knocking on your door!

In Florida, where I live and offer the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification, a license is required. One of the government’s primary mandates is to protect the public; therefore, the state tests anyone whose services involve touching the human body (healthcare practitioners, cosmetologists, morticians, etc.) to determine if the applicant’s knowledge and skill level is such to safely operate a business; i.e. to do no harm. The preferred license to practice reflexology in Florida is a massage therapy license.

Florida does allow someone with a cosmetology or nail tech license to offer reflexology. These practitioners are allowed to do that because the scope of their license includes massage of the hands and feet. It’s important to note that in these situations, reflexology can only be offered in conjunction with the nail tech services, not as a stand-alone service. For that, a massage therapy license is required.

The above information – my answer to this frequently asked question – can feel like an obstacle to some people who want to practice just reflexology. I can understand that, and I can add, from personal experience, that certifications in more than one area can work to one’s advantage. Employers love it when they see multiple skills on a resume. The more education you have, the more attractive you are to clients and to a business looking to hire.

I practiced reflexology in Toronto, Ontario without a provincial license. (Canada does not require licensing for reflexology.) When I moved to Florida, I was required to obtain a massage therapy license before I could hang my shingle. Attending the Florida School of Massage was one of the best decisions of my life; both in terms of the knowledge I acquired and the personal growth experience. Without a doubt, everything I learned in my massage and hydrotherapy training supported, and continues to support my reflexology practice.

Some people choose to complete massage training first and then take the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification as advanced training. An equal number do it the other way around, choosing to ease into the field of bodywork by first completing reflexology training (less time commitment, money and complexity). Either way is fine.

Like the local woman who called last week (and the inspiration for this article): someone retired from an unrelated career, but with a lifelong interest in reflexology. Rather than see the requirement for licensure as an obstacle, she got excited. Like me, she has most times been a little less than satisfied with the massage aspect of pedicures, and immediately saw the niche she could create for herself as the nail tech that includes reflexology. Yes! Sign me up! I’ll be her first regular client!

The 2013 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification begins March 21st. Join us!

The Reflexology Association of America posts the most current list of laws for each state on its site.

An Honor and a New Responsibility

I have just been elected to the governing board of the US national reflexology association! Along with six other professional reflexologists, I will serve as a director of the Reflexology Association of America for a two-year period beginning this summer. I’m eager to be part of the movement to propel reflexology to its next level of professionalism and recognition.

The Reflexology Association of America (RAA) is a non-profit membership organization that aims to advance its members’ interests through public relations, government lobbying efforts, a quarterly magazine and a national referral system for its members. RAA’s next biennial conference will be held in 2014 in Sante Fe, Mexico. I, for one, can hardly wait! Love that part of the country.

American residents: Please consider a RAA membership, if you don’t currently hold one. The fee for practicing professionals is only $50/year; for students and/or schools $30. The more the merrier!

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This is probably as good an opportunity as any to introduce the other various organizations within the field of reflexology. Links to all are on the left side of this page.

On an international level, we have the International Council of Reflexologists. ICR is a membership organization modeled after the United Nations. This means ICR is not incorporated in any country. ICR provides a worldwide forum to share education and ideas through its quarterly e-magazine, biennial conference (2013 scheduled in Johannesburg, South Africa!) and the annual celebration of World Reflexology Week in September.

On a national level, we have three primary organizations in North America; the:

American Reflexology Certification Board. ARCB is a non-profit corporation that acts as a national independent testing and certifying agency in the United States. Its primary objective is to protect the public by certifying the competency of people practicing reflexology on a professional level.

Reflexology Association of America, which I described above.

Reflexology Association of Canada. This is the organization that I was originally trained and certified by, both as a practitioner and reflexology instructor. RAC was incorporated in 1978 as a federally chartered non-profit organization, with by-laws, policies and procedures that regulate the management of the Association. RAC was formed to provide training and educational standards for reflexology in Canada, and to distribute information about reflexology to all interested in the modality.

Most of the states and provinces have state or provincial reflexology organizations as well, with many of them affiliated with the national membership organization. Check the RAA or RAC websites or google “reflexology organization” and your state/province to locate yours.

I hope that all of my readers will consider joining hands (and feet 😀 ) with their fellow practitioners by taking out a membership in their respective organization. Remember: there is power in numbers!

 

Taking Reflexology to Work

Take the time to think things through in your mind first, and your foray into the world of workplace reflexology could develop into a gratifying and lucrative endeavor. The more prepared you are, the easier and more successful will be the outcome of your efforts.

1. Choose the business you wish to approach. If you have a past affiliation with a particular company or industry, or know someone working there, consider starting there. The more you know about the nature of the business and the possible physical issues the workers risk, the more rapport you will create with your potential contractor. Utilize the Internet to learn as much as you can about the company’s philosophy, history and successes. Make what you are offering relevant. Make sure you dress the part when you meet in person. Bermuda shorts and polo shirt would not be appropriate for a prestigious law firm; neither would high heels and three-piece suit for a retirement home.

2. Prepare the stats I shared in the Reflexology in the Workplace post in an attractive folio, along with a description of the possible options from which to choose (listed below), to leave with the company representative after your meeting. Remember, the key is to demonstrate that what you have to offer will increase the bottom line.

3. You and the designated business representative will need to decide when the reflexology sessions will take place – before or after work shifts; during lunch or breaks; all day long –  and where – in the cafeteria; individual offices; quiet, unused room. There are advantages and disadvantages to each location. Working in the cafeteria, for example, might peak other workers’ interest, but won’t be as relaxing for the recipient.

4. How long and how often will the sessions be offered? There is no real typical time allotment. Large companies may opt for 15, 20 or even 30 minutes. Smaller companies with fewer employees may allow for a full hour for each individual. Sessions can be daily, weekly or monthly. Be prepared to discuss the merits of all those options with the company rep.

5. And lastly, who pays for your time and expertise – the employer, the employees, a combination of the two? And how are you paid? By the minute, the hour, the number of sessions or the day?

Done right, your mobile business can grow such that it will necessitate your hiring other reflexologists to meet the demand. Wheee! If the business (or businesses) you service is a national operation, you may even have the opportunity to expand into other cities! Or franchise your operation! The possibilities are limitless; let you vision soar.

 

Living from Intention

I am often asked how I got “into reflexology”. I’d like to say that my career choice was the result of a well-thought-out trajectory or a middle-of-the-night dream-induced epiphany – but that would be lying.

I actually just wandered into it. At the time (1983), I was thinking that I would like to open a health food store in Toronto and had taken a job working in one to see if that really was what I wanted to do. (It didn’t take me long to realize that I didn’t want to work in retail.)

One day, one of my regular customers came into the store and told me that the Reflexology Association of Canada was about to start up their next certification training and that he thought I should enroll. I thought, “Why not?”. I was totally consumed by anything that had anything to do with what I called the human potential movement and was eager to gobble up whatever information and training that I could. I had or was already immersed in nutrition, herbology, meditation, yoga, Bach Flower remedies; so, reflexology – why not?.

Fast-forward to 1989, now living in Florida, and having just received my state massage therapy license (so that I could practice reflexology legally) – when one of my massage teachers informed me of a chiropractor in town looking for a new therapist to join his team. I had never even considered working for a chiropractor, but once again, thought, “Why not?”

I worked with this man for four years, offering a combination of reflexology and “spot” massage to patients prior to their adjustments. Wow! Such a fabulous learning experience for me – and for the doctor. At first hesitant about the efficacy of reflexology in injury cases, he was won over by the added benefits his clients received from prefacing their massage with foot reflexology.

Looking back on how my careers in Toronto and Florida started, what I see in common was that I pursued what I thought would fulfill me. Learning how to offer bodywork that brought so much relief and pleasure to others harmonized with a core desire of mine to make a difference in the world. Over the years, I have often reverted to that means of decision-making – and have never regretted it. I continue to choose a “career” of living a happy and intentional life rather than looking for work that manifests enough money so that I can buy and/or do things that make me happy.

How and why did you get started?