It’s World Reflexology Week from 18 - 24 September 2017 and, as a special promotion, Lorraine and Georgina are offering 30-minute taster sessions for the discounted price of £20!
Make the most of World Reflexology Week and take some time for you!
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The wonders of Reflexology are known to many, however for those who have never experienced it, or perhaps never even heard of it, the concept of it being able to help with health issues is beyond comprehension.
And yet it’s not only the feet which can receive Reflexology – additional areas which are commonly worked are the hands, face and ears. What on earth I hear you say?!! Well, let us tell you a bit more about it.
Reflexology has been around for thousands of years - evidence dating back to 4000 BC shows some form of hand and foot therapy being practiced in China. Modern Reflexology has its roots within this practice and it has developed to become what is commonly practiced today.
So how does it work?
The premise of all forms of Reflexology is the stimulation of nerve endings (and meridian channels – but that’s another topic!), be it in the feet, hands, face or ears. This stimulation sends signals via the Central Nervous System to the different parts of your body. Areas of the body which are imbalanced or have congestion (dis-ease) respond to this stimulation, kickstarting signals to be received more loud and clear – the result being that we may feel the symptoms of physical and emotional ailments reduce or lessen and your sense of well-being increase.
So, what are the benefits of Reflexology?
Here at Southcote, we offer Foot/Hand and Facial Reflexology. Apart from both forms of Reflexology being extremely relaxing and great for your well-being, it may assist with conditions such as:
Stress and Anxiety
Aspects of Mental Health
Insomnia and sleep disorders
Support for the immune system
Headaches and Migraines
Sinus Congestion
Circulation
Mobility Issues
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and digestive complaints
Muscle stiffness/tightness
Muscular-skeletal conditions - eg. frozen shoulder, back pain, etc
Hormonal conditions
Fertility & conception
Pre and post-natal.
Being holistic, Facial and Foot Reflexology will work your body as a whole – therefore it has the potential to assist with any condition you are currently experiencing on some or all levels.
AND…an added bonus of Facial Reflexology is, because the facial muscles are stimulated, it can tighten the skin by improving muscle tone and, after a few treatments, you may notice a reduction in lines and wrinkles, giving you a mini face-lift. So, you’ll walk out of Southcote with a healthy radiant glow that makes you look as good as you feel - and feel as good as you look!
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Although Georgina and Lorraine both practise foot and facial reflexology they are both qualified in many different forms and techniques of the therapy. So, we thought we’d explain this in a bit more detail:
Vertical Reflexology Techniques (VRT)
- is a unique method of weight-bearing reflexology (where the patient in standing) and techniques are briefly applied to the top of the feet and hands. This technique is specifically powerful for pain issues and can help with mobility issues, muscle tension and other orthopaedic conditions.
Advance Reflex Therapy (ART)
- is an evolvement of the traditional approach of finger and thumb walking and is often known as clinical reflexology. These dynamic techniques use firm pressure to achieve powerful results for many conditions.
Reflex Zone Therapy (RZT)
- like ART, is a deeper manipulative treatment than conventional reflexology and the technique may be more stimulating. Shorter treatment sessions can be designed, or it can be incorporated into a normal reflexology session according to the client’s needs.
Facial Reflexology Sorensensistem (FRS)
- was devised by Lone Sorensen over a 40 year period and combines ancient facial maps and traditional methods with the study of modern neurology of the face and central nervous system. By working through the face, due to its closeness to the brain, it is thought to endure that sensory stimulus takes the shortest possible route to the control centre of the body and address health imbalances. In an FRS treatment, the entire surface of the face is stimulated, and it is thought to initiate a natural improvement in the blood and energetic circulation in the body, and nerve function to the brain, lymphatic drainage and muscle tone of the face. These all contribute to an enhanced feeling of whole-body wellbeing. A treatment includes a selection of 11 different facial maps, including meridianology and many different protocols and techniques. The training for therapists is 8 months duration and not limited to reflexologists. It is often thought of as the Sports Massage equivalent of facial reflexology due to its powerful effects.
The Bergman Method of Facial Reflexology
- was created by Ziggie Bergman and is a popular and well publicised method of facial reflexology which can only be taught to qualified reflexologists. This non-invasive treatment is based on the theory that areas on your face are connected to areas of your body (as with hand and foot reflexology) and stimulating them improves underlying energy imbalances which promotes well-being. As with FRS, the proximity of the face to the brain is key to the effectiveness of this therapy - especially for helping with relaxation. Manipulating facial reflex points helps connect to the body's neuro-pathways to rebalance and revitalise the body and mind.
Facial Reflexology is not a beauty treatment, however, it does have lovely beautifying side-effects, quite literally ‘lifting' the face to make your face feel and look smoother and more toned. By combining natural facelift massage techniques within a session, it also encourages lymphatic drainage, stimulates the facial nerves, increases blood flow to the face, helps to build up new skin tissue and improves skin tone.
Both forms of facial reflexology are thought to be particularly effective for sinus conditions, headaches, migraines, facial paralysis and any condition affecting the head or face, as the messages take a more direct route to the brain. In addition, it may also help with conditions such as stress, IBS, depression, menstrual and hormonal ailments and sleep disorders.
Japanese Cosmo Facelift (JCFL) / Zone Facelift (ZFL)
- these natural facelift techniques are off-shoots of Sorensensistem and the Bergman method respectively and aim to improve the appearance of the face by increasing collagen and elastin production, improving muscle tone and lymphatic drainage. These are holistic facial reflexology treatments that give the face a firm workout, leaving you feeling and looking great.
Functional Reflex Therapy (FRT)
- was developed by Lorraine Senior with the aim of supporting children and adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, in addition to Alzheimer’s, dementia and mental health conditions, including high levels of stress and anxiety. FRT comprises a combination of relaxation techniques drawn from reflexology in that each technique corresponds to a specific area of the body. The routine is performed on the feet or hands and involves slow, repetitive movements to promote relaxation.
Receiving FRT regularly may encourage the release of happy chemicals (eg. Oxytocin) throughout the body, thereby having the potential to induce relaxation, improve mood, reduce anxiety, support wellbeing, encourage social interaction and have a positive effect on the issues that affect the individual.
FRT can be included within a traditional reflexology treatment, or as a stand-alone treatment, depending on the needs of the client.
Functional Reflex Therapy Workshops are designed to empower parents, carers and family members who support children and adults with autism spectrum disorders, complex needs, Alzheimer’s & dementia and mental health conditions. Being taught the Rainbow Relaxation Routine, the workshop gives you the skills to deliver a short, repetitive relaxation routine that can be undertaken at a time convenient to you.
Baby and Toddler Reflex Workshops
- teach parents how to give simple reflexology techniques to their babies to help with sleep, digestive issue, bonding and more. Georgina has been teaching Baby Reflex to parents since 2009 and will soon be offering workshops to help older children and teens.
Conception and Pregnancy Workshops
- have been taught by Georgina since 2010. Georgina has extensive training and experience in all fields of maternity reflexology and likes to pass her knowledge and techniques onto couples at this special time in their lives, so they can help each other on their journey to parenthood.
Both Lorraine and Georgina often combine a number of the above techniques to create bespoke treatment plans to best help their clients. They also often include self help techniques on the hand or face that patients can do on themselves between treatments to further enhance their reflexology experience and results.