This is the first in a series of blogs I am calling What If. These are things I think about and clients ask about frequently. So this will hopefully clarify a few things or at least let you know this Massage Therapist’s opinion.
Someone asked me once if I did reflexology. I said no but; I can do a kickass foot massage. This client loved reflexology however, they agreed to see me and let me massage their feet. They loved it.
You see I have taken a class in reflexology. They do have their specific movements and techniques. I have more. I massage the feet, I can do trigger point, myofascial and lymphatic techniques to the feet as well. I can do a half hour or even an hour just on the feet. At one time I had six different foot spa sessions available in my business in Oklahoma. So I really do love to work with feet. I just do not do reflexology.
I have read quite a bit about it over the years. At one time I was collecting reflexology charts and comparing them. They are not all the same. It is not a science. There is no conclusive research. It just does not make any sense to me.
I have met and listened to many reflexologists about their art and practice. I know they are passionate.
I have had several reflexology sessions because I am curious and open minded. I was not impressed. I will however never turn down my husband if he offers to rub my feet and will expect any Massage Therapist to massage my feet during a full body session. I do love to have my feet worked on.
I just can’t get past these things;
1. There is a chart that as a reflexologist that I should be using or memorize and tell people that I am working on their liver or gall bladder or whatever. This seems too close to diagnosing to me. I am personally not comfortable with that in my scope of practice.
2. There are too many different charts. Too many different ways to become a reflexologist, from 4 hours to 500 hours. So there are just too many inconsistencies for me.
3. I have had the pleasure of participating in several anatomy classes, including a full gross anatomy class. The nerves to the organs come from the spine to the organs. I have never found any nerves from the feet to the organs.
4. I know there are reliefs on the walls of a Sixth Dynasty Egyptian tomb (c. 2450 B.C.) that depict two seated men receiving massage on their hands and feet. I cannot believe that it means they were doing reflexology. It is more believable that they were getting a foot massage.
So what if I just caved and said I was doing reflexology? That won’t happen.
I do not mean to be mean or stubborn. I am passionate about ethics and evidence based practices. When reflexology becomes evidence based I may reconsider and have to eat my words. Even then I most likely won’t change how I work or what I do to the feet. 
What if there was no such thing as reflexology?
I think I would still be doing a lot of kickass foot massages.
So give me a ring at 610-906-2322 if you would like to experience a session just on the feet or a great massage including the feet.