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A great deal of effort by various groups of people, many with little or no knowledge of reflexology, has gone into the subject of contra-indications. I have seen an entire page dedicated to a list of conditions where reflexology, supposedly, is contra-indicated. If they were to be believed, it would get to to the point where anyone who wishes to be worked on with reflexology would have to undergo an entire battery of medical examinations before being accepted as a client! Some of these so called contra-indications range from heart problems, cancer and so on. I have had students at my seminars who were surprised that I actually work on the heart reflexes. They had been told by other teachers or students that it could stop or damage the heart!
There are several questions that need to be asked, first, have the people who conceived these negative notions actually had the experience of a client's heart stopping during a session? Has a cancer actually spread or worsened, or have weakened kidneys stopped working? It would be an amazing physiological discovery if it were possible to stop the heart by pressing an area of the foot, (what a way to commit the perfect murder!) or if cancer were to spread or have weak kidneys deteriorate. It would mean that it would be dangerous for sick people to walk barefoot on uneven or pebbly ground, as it might bring about serious consequences to their health!
Students of reflexology are often told not to work on people who have cancer. Reflexology is just what a cancer sufferer needs; anyway, how is it possible to know if your client may be in the early stages of cancer? Many people may already have cancer but their immune system keeps things in check and they lead a perfectly normal life, in fact, many have cancer for years before it even shows up in tests!
I believe that it is always possible to work on clients regardless of their condition. The important points to remember are: The condition of your client; i.e. are they frail or do they have acute disease or foot conditions that prevent you from working on the feet? Have they just had surgery? What is important is to adapt the type of reflexology session to the condition of your client. For instance, before working on someone who has been very ill the following considerations should be made: (When in doubt always remember work lightly, often, less time!)
Recently I was told I could not work on someone who had just had plastic surgery because the doctor had been told (by a non-reflexologist, I found out later) that reflexology 'increased' circulation to the area and that would be harmful. Here we have a case of the wrong words being used. I have seen the words increased and improved used interchangeably and they do not mean the same thing. We have to remember that reflexology IMPROVES and facilitates what is already there. We cannot INCREASE what is already there (ie., circulation). It helps the body to work at it's optimum. Having worked on many who have had plastic surgery, it is amazing how quickly they heal. So watch your words in explaining reflexology - words are powerful.
They may not feel like having a session.
It should then be of a type that will aid general circulation and healing and provide comfort (in this case the session would not include much reflex work). Use mainly relaxation techniques.
They may have recently undergone surgery
Reflexology can bring increased resilience during the surgery if done before. If the client has been immobile for some time, it should be introduced gradually to invigorate the body. Reflexology after the surgery is very important as it could help to prevent adhesions forming and aid the healing process.
If you are not sure about conditions and symptoms that clients present, always err towards caution and refer them to their medical practitioner. For instance, someone may come in with chest or abdominal pain, or perhaps a constant headache, which they have not discussed with their doctor.
Like any other health-care professional we have a responsibility to our clients. I am not in any way advocating an irresponsible or careless approach to your work. Of course conditions such as swellings of the calf or leg need immediate specialist referral. Also ulceration's, phlebitis or thrombosis of the lower leg would denote caution on the part of the therapist. These would of course need medical attention, but even in these cases reflexology can be adapted or working on the hands would be possible.
It is thought that what many practitioners call contra-indications are their experience of a healing crisis by their client. To understand this more fully it would be easier if the therapist had knowledge of natural therapeutics. Briefly though the object of all true natural healing is to assist the body to eliminate waste and poisonous matter. When the vitality has been raised to sufficient strength the body will create conditions necessary to throw off this morbid material. This often manifests in headaches, colds, flu, diarrhea etc. The term for this reaction is a 'healing crisis'.
When a client has a 'healing crisis' it means that the vitality of the body has been increased by the sessions, subsequently creating detoxification, which is the only true path to restoring health. No matter what field of natural medicine is used, the body will only be able to create the necessary conditions to bring about a healing crisis if it has enough available vitality. Important point: It should not be interpreted that because a client has no or very few painful reflexes on the feet that they are in good health. On the contrary, it can mean that they do have health problems but because their vitality is low it causes the reflexes to be dull or seemingly non-existent. To create a painful reflex the body needs to have vitality, or at least the organ or gland has to.
Many of you will experience clients who will present you with feet where the reflexes are dull and almost non-evident, and after a few sessions, they suddenly show up as very painful, which might make you think that the client is getting worse. Because of this widely misunderstood belief a client may also feel their condition has deteriorated. If this happens it means your sessions are on the right track and that you are succeeding in raising your client's vitality.
While there are very few conditions where it would be unwise to do reflexology, there are certain circumstances where care is to be taken. Listed below are several conditions about which I have been asked.
FOOT INFECTIONS AND DAMAGED AREAS
Some conditions (e.g. verrucae (warts), small cuts) would be covered with a dressing and direct touch would be avoided. With severe conditions (e.g. bad varicose veins in the leg, open sores in the leg, oozing, cracked athlete's foot) working on the hands would be appropriate. Light cases of athletes foot (flaky, itchy) OK to work, be sure to wash hands thoroughly before and after working.
BROKEN BONES/SPRAINED ANKLES
If the foot is in a cast, don't work on it. Once the foot is out of the cast, work the foot lightly to improve movement and circulation. If the ankle is bandaged, leave it alone. Work on the referral areas on the hand or wrist to promote faster healing.
INFECTIOUS ILLNESS
It is sensible to avoid working on people during the infectious stage, to avoid the risk of cross-infection. Colds, flu, etc. with other clients. It is ok if you are working with family.
SURGERY ON THE FOOT
If the foot has stitches, do not work on that particular area. Once the stitches have been removed, work the area lightly to facilitate circulation in the healing process.
PREGNANCY - Pregnancy is not a disease!
There is nothing wrong with the uterus or ovaries. Many therapists feel that they have to concentrate on these areas. It is not necessary to work on those areas. It is the body in its entirety that needs to be helped, not just the reproductive reflexes! Related conditions such as back pain, morning sickness, fluid retention and constipation are all things which reflexology may alleviate during pregnancy. I have read that it is contra-indicated to work on women who have a history of unstable pregnancies; it is these women who need reflexology! The first trimester is, for many, a time to HAVE reflexology done.
I often think it would be amazing if I COULD induce labor or a miscarriage with reflexology - I could open up the first "All Natural Abortion Clinic" and make a fortune!
AIDS
Reflexology can be very beneficial. Stay away from broken skin and open sores.
CANCER
There is no evidence whether or not Reflexology can encourage a cancer to spread, but most Reflexologists, through years of work, feel that this is very unlikely. Reflex work can be beneficial at all stages of the illness, to help reduce pain, counteract the side-effects of drug and radiation therapy, and increase general resilience. Reflexology may be particularly helpful in the terminal stages of the illness
ELDERLY, ILL CLIENTS
Benefit tremendously from short, light sessions.....note the word ILL. For generally healthy elderly people.....they love it!
Reflexology treatments are provided in the comfort of your own home or office.
Available in Edmonton Alberta Canada and immediate surrounding areas.
Appointment times are flexible to meet your schedule.