Frequently Asked Questions
Is there anything I should do to prepare for my treatment?
I recommend staying well hydrated the day before and the day of treatment to aid the body’s detoxification process. Please avoid any stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine as these can dehydrate you and elevate your heart rate, which may prevent you from receiving the best treatment.
You will remain fully clothed for the treatment, but I will ask you to take off your shoes and socks to work on your feet. In terms of what to wear, I recommend some loose and comfortable trousers to maximise your comfort. This also allows me to apply some light effleurage techniques to your legs during the treatment.
What can I expect from my first treatment?
Your first treatment will begin with an initial consultation to talk about your current health, medical history and lifestyle. This will help us plan your treatment together by understanding your health goals and the areas of your health you wish to improve. Once this is established, we can decide on the reflex points and relevant systems to focus on to restore balance to the body. The benefits from receiving reflexology are cumulative, and tend to have more effective outcomes when a course of five treatments is taken consecutively. While this is my recommendation, you can choose to have as many treatments as you are comfortable with.
Following the treatment, we will have a chat about any out of balance areas that were identified and some hand reflexology points will be given to extend the benefits of the treatment at home. I will also make some suggestions that you may want to build into your daily routine.
How can I expect to feel post treatment?
Reflexology can feel unique to each person, but people generally feel extremely relaxed after treatment. Occasionally, during or after your treatment, it is possible that you may experience some sensations, such as tiredness or feeling more emotional than usual, as your body responds to the treatment and is nothing to be concerned about. These sensations are very common and usually pass within 24-48 hours and are often a good sign that toxins are being released from your body to restore balance to your health. Reflexology can have numerous positive effects on the body and you can expect to feel more relaxed and rejuvenated after treatment.
Are there times you won’t be able to treat me?
Reflexology is a safe, natural and non-invasive therapy, however there are times and specific conditions that are contra-indicated. If you have any fungal infections on the feet, gangrene, fever, contagious or infectious diseases, deep vein thrombosis, severe undiagnosed pain, you are conceiving through IVF / IUI, have had major operations within the last 6 months, recent fractures, broken bones or swelling in the area of treatment I won’t be able to treat you.
Can reflexology cure a medical condition?
Although reflexology cannot be used to diagnose or cure a specific medical condition, it is an effective preventative therapy and can help support many health conditions. At the centre of all treatments is my intention to support your body’s self-healing process to restore its natural balance and return to homeostasis. My approach to treatment is to work with you to understand the root cause of presenting symptoms to help shift symptom patterns for longer term wellness. If there is anything that is beyond my knowledge or expertise, I may refer you to another healthcare professional or another complementary therapist to continue to support you.
Is reflexology suitable for all age groups?
Absolutely, reflexology can be safely enjoyed by all ages from babies and toddlers to the elderly. Reflexology is a gentle, natural and non-invasive therapy that is safe to use with babies from the age of four weeks old. As a qualified Reflexologist and Baby Reflex™ and Baby Reflex 4 Toddlers practitioner I am trained to give treatments to babies and toddlers and teach techniques to parents, grandparents and guardians who are able to then treat just their own babies and children. Reflexology techniques and pressure is adjusted accordingly to suit the relevant age group.
Can you treat me during pregnancy?
Yes, I am trained in pregnancy and postnatal reflexology with the London School of Reflexology and can support you throughout your entire pregnancy. I will ask you to complete an initial consultation form at least 48 hours before treatment so that I have a detailed history and understanding of your pregnancy and current health before any treatment commences. If there are any contra-indications to to treatment, I will let you know.
I am passionate about helping women towards a natural and faster labour with reflexology! Regular reflexology during pregnancy can help alleviate many physical symptoms such as pelvic girdle pain, back ache and water retention and can support the achievement of better birth outcomes by balancing the whole body and mind to create the best conditions for birth. I can also help you move things towards initiation of labour if you become overdue.
What can I expect from a Home Visit?
I only offer home visits to women and within East London and surrounds, including Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Canary Wharf and Stratford. I am flexible with where you receive the treatment as long as it’s quiet and comfortable to maximize your relaxation and I can easily access your feet. A few of the usual places that work well, include having you:
Reclining back on a L shaped sofa where there is no armrest at the end, and I can sit at the end of sofa on the ground to give you the treatment
Sitting in a reclining / maternity chair with your feet resting on a footstool, and I can sit on the ground to give you the treatment
Lying on your bed, as long as there is no high bed frame at the foot of the bed preventing me from accessing your feet, and I can sit on my portable stool to give you the treatment
We can discuss where you’d like to have the treatment ahead of me visiting so that the space can be set up when I arrive. I bring all my equipment, organic balms and music to create a relaxing ambience for your treatment. The only things I ask you to set aside are a large towel to wrap your feet, a pillow to support feet and a light blanket to cover yourself during the treatment.
Is foot reflexology the same as a foot massage?
Although both aim to help you relax, these are not the same. Foot reflexology is the application of pressure and reflexology techniques to reflex points mapped out on the feet that are related to specific organs and glands in the body. Stimulation of these specific points provides a therapeutic effect to the corresponding part of the body and has many benefits including promoting deep relaxation, improving circulation and restoring natural balance to the body. In contrast, a foot massage focuses on using pressure and massage techniques to relieve tension in tissue and muscles in the foot to help you relax.
What is my cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel your session, no fee will be charged if you give more than 24 hours notice. If you give less than 24 hours notice, the price of your treatment will be charged in full.