REFLEXOLOGY FOR ME/CFS SUFFERERS - PART ONE: FOOT RELAXING TECHNIQUES
Posted Aug 26 2008 4:29pm
Before you begin, discuss the treatment with your doctor to see if he/she agrees that it safe for you to use. You might think it silly to ask, after all it’s only a complementary therapy and is unlikely to cause you any problems ~ it’s natural, therefore it must be safe, right? ! Well, actually reflexology can be an incredibly powerful treatment. I have seen people leave a session sweating profusely and complaining of a pounding headache. This usually only happens at the start of the treatment and is a sign that it is working. It’s simply the release of tensions and movement of toxins around the body, but it emphasizes the potency of the treatment and the importance of taking it seriously. Reflexology can be contraindicated in certain cases – during pregnancy, if you have cardiac problems or suffer with severe blood pressure changes.
RELAX
It’s important that you are as relaxed as possible during the session in order to access the reflex points effectively. Therefore the first part of this course focuses on how you can create a relaxed state. You can return to these techniques as you progress through the treatment if you feel your feet tensing again.
SPINAL TWIST
Make sure you are sitting comfortably. Put your hands together so that your index finger joints and tips touch and your palms face down. Tuck your thumbs under your hands. Cross your left leg over your right and place your two hands over your foot so that your palms are in contact with the top of your foot - your thumbs should be tucked under and touching the sole of your foot. Ensure that you keep your two hands touching at all times and you use them as a unit. The hand near to the heel should remain stationary while the other rotates slowly back and forth. The whole effect is like a twisting squeeze. After you have rotated your hand several times, move the two hands up your foot towards your toes. Remember your hands should remain as a unit with your index fingers touching at all times. Ensure that you twist the foot evenly in both directions. Now repeat on your right foot.
ANKLE LOOSENING
With the sole of your foot facing down, place the heel of your hands below the ankle bone, one on the inside, the other on the outside. Then rapidly move your hands back and forth, in opposing directions, so that your foot shakes from side to side. Now do the same to your other foot.
TOE ROTATION
With your thumb and first few fingers take hold of your big toe, at its base. Then with a slight lift, rotate your toe several times clockwise before changing direction. Do this to all the toes on both your feet.
Now you are ready to begin the session proper. Don’t forget to subscribe to this site to get the next step: Part Two: The Nervous System.
Reference: Better Health With Foot Reflexology: The Original Ingham Method by Dwight C. Byers (Ingham Publishing, Inc. 1983)
N.BAlthough I am a qualified reflexologist I am not a medical practitioner and you are advised to speak to your own doctor before starting any new health regimes. This treatment may not be suitable for you if you are pregnant or have severe cardiac and/or blood pressure issues. I cannot be held responsible for any problems that may arise when using this treatment.
RELAX
It’s important that you are as relaxed as possible during the session in order to access the reflex points effectively. Therefore the first part of this course focuses on how you can create a relaxed state. You can return to these techniques as you progress through the treatment if you feel your feet tensing again.
SPINAL TWIST
Make sure you are sitting comfortably. Put your hands together so that your index finger joints and tips touch and your palms face down. Tuck your thumbs under your hands. Cross your left leg over your right and place your two hands over your foot so that your palms are in contact with the top of your foot - your thumbs should be tucked under and touching the sole of your foot. Ensure that you keep your two hands touching at all times and you use them as a unit. The hand near to the heel should remain stationary while the other rotates slowly back and forth. The whole effect is like a twisting squeeze. After you have rotated your hand several times, move the two hands up your foot towards your toes. Remember your hands should remain as a unit with your index fingers touching at all times. Ensure that you twist the foot evenly in both directions. Now repeat on your right foot.
ANKLE LOOSENING
With the sole of your foot facing down, place the heel of your hands below the ankle bone, one on the inside, the other on the outside. Then rapidly move your hands back and forth, in opposing directions, so that your foot shakes from side to side. Now do the same to your other foot.
TOE ROTATION
With your thumb and first few fingers take hold of your big toe, at its base. Then with a slight lift, rotate your toe several times clockwise before changing direction. Do this to all the toes on both your feet.
Now you are ready to begin the session proper. Don’t forget to subscribe to this site to get the next step: Part Two: The Nervous System.
Reference : Better Health With Foot Reflexology: The Original Ingham Method by Dwight C. Byers (Ingham Publishing, Inc. 1983)N.B Although I am a qualified reflexologist I am not a medical practitioner and you are advised to speak to your own doctor before starting any new health regimes. This treatment may not be suitable for you if you are pregnant or have severe cardiac and/or blood pressure issues. I cannot be held responsible for any problems that may arise when using this treatment.