Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Professional Therapeutic Reflexology

Reflexology Certification

Are you ready to take your love of reflexology to the next level? If you have already checked out whether the Academy’s Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification is the right program for you, the next step is to determine if our curriculum meets your goals.

The Certification offers you in-depth practical training in hand and foot reflexology designed for both relaxation and pain management. You will learn how to specifically address over 50 pathological and non-pathological conditions within a reflexology session and assist clients to create a self-directed wellness program.

You will leave this training with a 230-page manual, book guide and numerous resources for related information and products.

Topics covered:

  • location of nearly 100 reflex points in the hands and feet, and techniques to effectively palpate these reflexes on yourself and others
  • 12 physiological systems of the body, and the role reflexology plays in maintaining optimum functioning of these systems
  • over 50 homeostatic imbalances and how to create a reflexology session to address those conditions
  • theories and benefits of reflexology
  • zones of the feet, hands and body
  • zone therapy
  • anatomy, physiology and structural pathology of the feet and hands
  • history-taking skills
  • hydrotherapy
  • aromatherapy
  • marketing
  • professional ethics
  • therapeutic communication skills
  • the role of genetics and epigenetics in health and disease
  • legalities of practice
  • self-care and ergonomics

Attendees will:

  • create and operate professional reflexology clinics, using health history forms and documentation charts designed specifically for reflexology
  • offer an in-service to the staff of a major national bodywork publication
  • complete a self-chosen directed independent study to support their knowledge of reflexology OR design and implement a community outreach program offering reflexology
  • plan and execute an outcome-based research case study on a health condition of their choice

This year’s certification begins February 10th. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be awarded a 315 hour certification in hand and foot reflexology. Complete details are available here. Continuing education credits are awarded to Florida-licensed and/or nationally certified massage therapists.

Pain Management and Reflexology

Although many people are aware of the relief massage therapy offers musculoskeletal pain, many folks are surprised to learn of the long history that reflexology enjoys in this area. Some people even think that reflexology holds an advantage over massage in addressing pain disorders, because reflexology can address both pathological and non-pathological musculoskeletal pain, while massage addresses only the latter.

In North America, reflexology’s association with pain management began in the early 1900’s, when Dr. William Fitzgerald, often referred to as the “father of modern reflexology”, introduced zone therapy into his medical practice. Dr. Fitzgerald successfully utilized reflexology techniques to anesthetize his patients for nose and throat surgeries. One of Dr. Fitzgerald’s many research findings also taught us that “when pain was relieved, the condition that produced the pain was also generally relieved”.

In my reflexology practice I can think of countless times that my services resulted in long-term relief of both somatic and visceral pain: headaches, neck and low back pain, plantar fasciitis, TMJ dysfunction, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains and menstrual cramps, to name a few.

In my own life, I can recall many occasions as well. One in particular stands out, when I had driven out-of-town to teach a weekend workshop. Rather suddenly I found myself with an excruciating toothache. During the workshop I worked constantly on the teeth reflexes on my hands, and was able to reduce my #9 pain level to a bearable #2, until such time I could get home to have it attended to. All of that without any medication!

Like massage, reflexology is divided into the relaxation model and the pain management model. Because I personally believe that relaxation is the basis of health, I choose to include instruction for both protocols in the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification. In the program, students learn how to specifically address well over 50 pathological and non-pathological imbalances that cause acute and chronic discomfort and pain. When they have completed their training, these folks are well-equipped to help people seeking their assistance.

Some economists believe pain management to be recession-proof. That makes sense. People In pain will go to any length to find relief from their discomfort. They will look high and low for someone who can provide hope, answers and a plan that can restore function and ease. No matter the cost.

Those same economic researchers tell us that manual therapy is the fastest growing segment of the service industry. If you haven’t already, maybe it’s time you joined those of us who have dedicated our lives to helping others live their best life? The true reward for a reflexologist is having happy clients return to say they are living pain-free.  Success like that is both gratifying and lucrative for any manual therapist.

What’s been your experience with pain management and reflexology?

Only Three Days Left

There are only three days left to receive a $100 discount off this year’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification training.

If you register and pay your entire tuition by January 10th, you can automatically subtract $100 from your investment. Your personalized tuition is determined by applying any of the three discounts for which you qualify to the base price. Although credit hours have increased from 250 to 315, the cost remains the same as it has for the last five programs.

Classes begin February 10th in St. Augustine, Florida, with specific days of classroom study every second month until the beginning of October. With six different payment options, the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification is accessible for everyone. Visit here for details and/or registration.

Peacocks and Christmas Trees

There is a serendipitous story to the predominant presence of peacocks on my website and advertising materials. As a light-hearted way to end the year, I thought you might like to know that story, and to see a picture of a magnificent peacock Christmas tree, sent to me by one of my Thai reflexology graduates. In the meantime, I wish you all a holiday filled with joy, peace, beauty and wonder.

A number of years ago, while talking to my then current class of reflexology certification students at the Florida School of Massage, I became aware that everyone’s eyes were more focused behind me than on me, presumably at something beyond the glass doors at my back. I looked over my right shoulder to see a peacock and peahen standing on the other side of the French doors peering in (or at least it looked like they were).

The male immediately started his eerie screeching. It was soon apparent that I could not speak over this determined bird, and one of the participants offered to go outside and “have a word” with this gorgeous male. I don’t know what Luke said, but the peacock stopped screeching and actually left, not to be seen again until Sunday evening when I was packing up to leave. (More on that later.)

The female, on the other hand, spent the entire day outside that glass door, and for the most part, at the window watching me. (I admit that she was probably admiring her own reflection in the glass, but I prefer to think that she was interested in reflexology!). When we would take breaks the students would wander outside under the canopy roof and the peahen would just hang out with them, even when a few sat to eat their lunch. On Sunday morning when we returned, she was still standing at the glass doors, as if waiting for us. It was so delightful. I loved having her as part of the group.

On Sunday, one of the other participants (now my teaching assistant), Jen, brought in a copy of the book Animal-Speak to share what the book had to say about peacocks. I could barely believe my ears!

The book explained that the two most outstanding features of the peacock are its gorgeous plumage and its raucous call. (Nothing new there.) The author went on to relate a story that tied this magnificent bird’s vocal expression to the appearance of his feet. The author stated that the peacock is known to have ugly feet, and the story goes that he screeches every time he catches sight of his own feet!

“Wait a minute”, I said, and immediately jumped up to check it out. I peered through the glass at the peahen’s feet and then softly proclaimed to her that I thought she had lovely feet. Throughout the day I took every opportunity to remind her of that.

With a sly smile, Jen continued reading the book’s claim that if the peacock showed up in your life, you should study foot Reflexology! I could barely believe what I had just heard (in fact, I accused Jen of making it up!).

Although I had yet to formally announce it, I had decided to move the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification training to St. Augustine beginning the next year (2005). With Jen’s words, visions of blue-green iridescent peacock feathers appeared in my head. I immediately saw a brand new brochure and website adorned with beautiful, bright peacock plumes. I felt affirmed in my decision to move the training to the beach.

A perfect end to that weekend and this story: when I drove my car under the canopy roof to pack up after class on Sunday, the male peacock returned to join the female in saying good-bye. They both stood right beside the trunk of my car and just watched me load up and drive away. And to this day, whenever I am teaching reflexology at the Florida School of Massage (only reflexology; no other subject), the peacocks show up in numbers to peer through the glass doors as we exchange foot reflexology sessions.

If you’re interested, you can read more about peacocks, a magnificent creature once believed to be the figment of overactive imaginations!

And here’s the picture of the peacock Christmas tree at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina:

Choosing the Right Program

I’m thinking of registering for a reflexology training soon, and was thinking about the thought process I go through in choosing classes for myself.

I’m very selective when it comes to spending my precious time and money  – and I suspect you are, too. In the area of education, I expect my money’s worth; I want to leave the class feeling personally enriched and armed with information and skills I can incorporate immediately into my life. I want to be in the presence of instructors who, not only know their “stuff”, but also know how to “teach”; how to get the information across clearly, and inspire and empower those of us looking to them for guidance.

That led me to think about conversations that typically occur when people call to inquire about the Academy’s certification training. I realize that in calling you want to get a sense of me as much as you want to know what you can expect from the program. Naturally, you want to know if we’re “on the same page”, if you’ll feel welcomed and accepted. You want to know if the material will meet your goals, and if the program format matches your learning style, and if you’ll know how to introduce your new skills and knowledge to your community once the training is over.

I want you to make the right decision for yourself, so call with your questions and concerns. Before you pick up the phone, you may want to read a short questionnaire I created to help people determine whether or not the Academy’s program is right for them. Your answers to the questions will go a long way towards informing you whether you are in the right place or not. (My phone number is 904/553.4067 EST.)

The 2011 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Professional Reflexology Certification begins February10th.