“Let Your Feet Take You
Where Your Heart Wants To Go”

Reflexology is based on the principle that different ‘reflex’ points on the feet, lower leg, hands, face or ears correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the body. Using their thumbs and fingers, the therapist applies pressure to specific reflex points on the hands or feet, releasing congestion and promoting the flow of  energy; this aims to alleviate physical and emotional symptoms.

Dating back to Ancient Egypt, India & China, Reflexology was brought to the west in the early 1900’s. By reducing stress in people’s lives, it can be key in optimising good health and building resilience.

Reflexology treatment encourages your body to restore its own health and well-being by re-balancing its systems, relieving any sluggishness and blockages. 

Reflexology provides an incredible way to relax, ‘de-stress’ and release all the built up tension and toxins that can lead to:

• Insomnia

• Migraines

• Sinus Problems

• Hormonal Imbalances

• Breathing Disorders 

• Digestive Irregularities

• Circulatory Back Problems

However reflexology is viewed, there can be no doubt that what it does provide is a period of time for relaxation where the client has one to one attention and supportive touch in an empathetic listening environment. 

Reflexology can be used safely alongside standard healthcare to promote better health for their clients.

It is a therapy which can be received by anyone at any age, from newborn babies to those receiving end of life care, and everyone in between. However, there may occasionally be times when it is not suitable to provide a treatment. If in doubt please ask!

Please note: reflexology should not be used as an alternative to seeking medical advice.

There are so many symptoms associated with menopause that this can make research tricky. However, there is good news, as we do have some studies showing that reflexology is beneficial for some menopausal symptoms including:

• Reflexology is an effective therapy for sleep disorders and hot flushes in menopause

• Reflexology can be effective in decreasing vasomotor problems and increasing quality of life in the menopausal period

• The findings indicated that the foot reflexology technique can be effective for reducing women’s depression during menopause.

However, seeing a reflexologist who is trained in Reflexology for Menopause means you will get optimum care. Your therapist will be interested to hear about how menopause is affecting you, as everyone’s experience is very different, and they will want to know about the symptoms you are experiencing as this will allow them to plan their reflexology specifically for you.

Reflexologists support women not only by offering the reflexology but by maintaining unconditional positive regard, non-judgmental listening, and are able to share knowledge if you want to know more about lifestyle changes.

REFLEXOLOGY FOR SUPPORTING MENOPAUSE

How often do I need to have reflexology?

As with all complementary therapies there is a cumulative effect so if you are able to have a few treatments close together you should see quicker results. In an ideal world we would recommend 4-6 treatments a week apart and then a couple fortnightly with the aim to continue with monthly treatments for top ups.

We do appreciate that it is not often an ideal world so let your therapist know what suits you best. Even monthly treatments can be beneficial.

This does mean that there needs be some commitment to booking a few treatments to see the full effect of how you will benefit from reflexology.

Everybody responds differently to reflexology – the only way to know how you will benefit is to try it!

Reflexology is a very easy therapy to receive; depending on the type of reflexology, the most clothing that will have to be removed for a treatment to take place will be your socks and shoes.

The therapist will then use their hands to apply pressure to the feet, lower leg, hands, ears or face, depending on the type of reflexology chosen. You may feel areas of transient discomfort during the treatment, but generally the experience should be relaxing.

Treatments may be booked on a one-off basis for general relaxation. However you may wish to attend further appointments to assist with therapy to compliment any current medical advice for ailments. The therapist may then recommend a course of treatments.

A full medical history will be requested on your first treatment, and you will be asked to sign a consent form for treatment. This information will be kept confidential.

Most people note a sense of well-being and relaxation; however, sometimes people report feeling lethargic, nauseous or tearful, but this is usually transitory and is widely believed to be part of the healing process.

After one or two treatments your body may respond in a very noticeable way.

It is useful to give feedback to the therapist so that they are aware of your body and mind’s response to the treatment. This in turn might help the therapist to tailor an even more beneficial treatment plan specific to your needs.

Reiki (ray-key) is a complementary therapy relating to Energy Healing. The Therapist uses gentle hand movements with the intention to guide the flow of healthy energy (what's known in Reiki as life force energy) through the client's body to reduce stress and promote healing.

“As running water smoothes the jagged edges of a rock until it is small enough to roll away, Reiki flows to the areas of need within your body, soothing and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal itself.”

Reiki is linked to a range of physical and emotional health benefits, including better sleep, improved mood, and pain relief. Reiki helps the body return to a state of relaxation, which allows it to potentially better heal from damage brought on by stress, injury, or disease.

Reiki can be used alongside other conventional or complementary treatments and often helps to provide emotional support during recovery.

“Reiki aids in healing by helping people become energetically balanced — physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually,”

Studies have found that Reiki can have measurable benefits when it comes to lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, lessening anxiety, and reducing pain. Treatments can create feelings of:

• Peace

• Relaxation.

• Security.

• Wellness.

Reiki is a safe and soothing treatment that can be:

Comforting when life is tough

The relaxing nature of Reiki can be very helpful to people especially at difficult times in our lives. We can all feel overwhelmed or disconnected, sometimes there is a real sense of isolation, both emotionally and spiritually. Reiki treatments can bring feelings of peace, centeredness and an ability to cope better with the challenges of life.

Reiki can be beneficial in circumstances that are short term, but can also support people dealing with long-standing conditions, helping to bring comfort, acceptance and a more positive outlook.

Supportive during pregnancy

Reiki can be wonderful for pregnant women. Treatments can be very relaxing and enjoyable for the mother.

Calming for children

Children usually love Reiki. The length of a session is often shorter than it would be for an adult.

Helpful at the end of life

In such cases Reiki can be a great comfort, helping to promote a sense of peace and acceptance for the dying and their families.

Reassuring for animals

Animals also respond well to Reiki, they too seem to find it relaxing and soothing

“It’s like a massage for my soul”

The method of receiving Reiki is simple. The recipient remains clothed and lies on a couch or sits on a chair and relaxes. The practitioner gently places their hands in a series of non-intrusive positions on or near the body. There is no massage or manipulation. The whole person is treated rather than specific areas. Sessions can take 30 minutes to an hour-and-a-half, depending on the client’s needs.

Reiki practitioners are not trained in diagnosis and will not predict any specific outcome from treatment. If people are concerned about their symptoms they should see a doctor.

How much Reiki would I need?

A single session may be sufficient, but it is best to discuss this with your practitioner. For instance, if you have long standing emotional or spiritual issues, a series of sessions may be beneficial. In general, if you find that helpful changes are taking place, it is a good idea to continue treatment.

Each person experiences Reiki differently depending on their individual needs at the time. 

Clients may or may not feel sensations during a Reiki treatment. Benefits reported by recipients include deep relaxation promoting a calm, peaceful sense of well-being on all levels. Some people feel sensations of heat, tingling, or experience seeing colours, whilst others can have an emotional response, indicating that shifts are taking place, allowing harmony to be restored. Personally, whatever I experience during the treatment, the one thing I always feel at the end of a treatment is a sense of calmness.

Indian Head Massage is a deeply relaxing and beneficial massage to the head, shoulders, upper back, neck, scalp, arms and face. You can drift away with the help of tranquil music while a relaxing massage routine using a range of traditional movements developed for Indian Head Massage is carried out.

When you feel stressed or angry, tension builds up in energy centres around the head, face, neck and shoulders. This can later manifest itself as eye strain, headaches, migraine and stiff neck or shoulders.

We use a firm but gentle massage technique helping to unblock the uncomfortable build up of tension and aid relief. The effect of this therapy is not just physical but works on an emotional level too, calming the spirit, relieving stress and promoting relaxation.

Indian Head Massage originates from an Indian alternative medicine system called Ayurveda, (translated as the ‘science of life’). Tradition believes that the mind and body are intricately connected and therefore can influence one another. Through this theory, is is understood that treatment can not only reduce headaches and improve physical well-being, but it can also improve mental and emotional wellness too.

• Prevents headaches and migraines by releasing built-up tension in the head and neck area and relieving muscle stiffness

• Helps prevent upper back pain

• Promotes hair growth by increasing oxygen in the hair follicles which stimulates growth and health.

• Detoxifies the body by stimulating lymphatic drainage by circulating blood to the neck area

• Relieves sleeplessness, restlessness and insomnia by reducing stress

• Relieves symptoms of anxiety and depression through relaxation

• Renews energy levels

• Boosts memory capabilities by relieving stress and quieting the mind  

• Soothing of tension

• Relieving eyestrain

• Restoring concentration and reducing tiredness

• General relaxation

• Increasing movement in the head, neck and shoulders

• Improving scalp problems

• Renews and balances energy levels by working with the three upper Chakras

• Improves circulation of cerebral spinal fluid

You will be invited to either sit on a low backed chair or to lie down on a therapy couch (which will be raised if comfortable for you).

A typical Indian head massage treatment, usually starts with the shoulders, working into this area especially as it often holds a lot of tension. The upper back may also be massaged working around the shoulder blade. Following this, flowing motions will move up the neck massaging and stretching to relieve any stress and tension. Finally, the scalp is then massaged along the acupressure points on the head, and in non-corporate settings, followed up by the forehead and the area around the eyes. The upper back and arms can also be massaged depending on the techniques being used.

Optionally, this massage may be coupled with oils, which condition the hair and promote growth and healthy skin. Coconut and almond oil are the most popular to use, which are perfect for dry hair. Mustard oil, sesame oil, olive oil, and jasmine oil can also be used with varying specific benefits for skin and hair health.

After an Indian Head Massage many people feel an air on tranquillity, calmness and a general grounded feeling. You may also feel any of the following:

Generally sleepy or tired;

Weepy/emotional (due to a release of tension)

Warm (Due to improved circulation)

Increased urination / peristalsis (due to the body releasing toxins)

Aching and soreness in the muscles (followed by a relief from muscular tension)

Less stressed and more relaxed

Improved mood patterns

Improved sleep patterns.