By adding the techniques of reflexology to your vast knowledge base, you can help improve the quality of life for your clients. Massage therapists can learn about reflexology through home-study courses.
Reflexology can aid in easing an array of symptoms that persist from chronic and acute aches and pains, chronic migraines, back pain, sinus conditions, sports injuries, arthritis and sleep disorders. By using specialized techniques, reflexology can also reduce stress by bringing the body into proper balance and removing unhealthy blockages and toxins.
An Internet search revealed numerous home-study courses that are available for any massage therapist to take to fulfill continuing education requirements. For reflexology, basic home-study courses include topics that cover stress and well-being, understanding body systems, basic principles using the feet and hands, relaxation exercises for the feet and hands, treating specific ailments, energetic anatomy, meridians, energy zones, case histories, modern and ancient practices and the treatment of specific conditions.
The nice thing about taking one of these courses is it can be done in the privacy of your own home and conform to your personal schedule. More advanced courses are available for home study and can also be found online.
A recent study of reflexology showed the techniques learned can help relieve the physical and emotional symptoms of chronic constipation. The study, “A pilot study of the effectiveness of reflexology in treating idiopathic constipation in women,” involved 19 women, between 22 and 75 years old, who had been diagnosed with idiopathic constipation. Each of the women in the study received one reflexology session to the subjects’ bare feet, which lasted about 35 to 45 minutes, once a week for six weeks, the study said.
The results of the study showed that 94 percent of the women reported their constipation to be “improved to some extent” after the conclusion of the six-week study. Within the group, 10 of the women showed improved gut transit times and two of the women had normal transit times, the study said.
Make sure to check with your national and state licensing bodies to make sure the courses you select are acceptable for continuing education credits.