Reflexology is the science that deals with the principle that there are reflexes on the hands and feet which corrospond to all the organs, systems and glands of the body. These reflexes access and influence all parts of the body via a network of biomagnetic pathways which pass from the feet up through the body. All mammals use the constant but varying  pressure of walking on uneven surfaces, to power this mechanism that regulates and stimulates healing in all parts of the body. Over 5000 years ago in China it was discovered that the practice of wearing shoes prevented this mechanism from working and our health naturally declined, it was then that reflexology was born.

Since then it has spread all over the world, proof has been found in the Egyptian pyramid named the Tomb of the Physician that the Pharoes used reflexology among other therapys. It didn't reach Britain untill the 1930s, but since then it has become established as one of the most reliable and potent of healing methods.

Reflexology is taught today using the same foot charts that were developed 5000 years ago, and passed down from master to pupil in ancient China.

Western medicine is only just becoming fully aware of the biomagnetic energy that all of us have, and the network of energy pathways within us, that can be utilised to regulate our bodies and heal them so effectively. Most leading therapies such as accupuncture, shiatsu and reiki use these energy pathways to heal.

The power of reflexology is in the way it can access these 'power lines' to find out if each individual part of us, no matter how small or how deep within the body, is functioning. It reads the chemical and physical balance of the organ itself and its status within its system of organs. It is so sensitive that it is capable of detecting extremely small variances in your body's performance, for instance it is perfectly capable of detecting the chemical make up of your last meal, if you were stressed in the last few days or if you had a back injury at any time within the last 20-30 years. Not only will it detect these imbalances, but it can rebalance them too, treating effectively any problem it can find.

The most common ailments I am asked to treat are:

back pain, hip and knee pain, migraines, polymialgia, sinusitis, menopausal symptoms, infertility, irregular and painful periods, headaches, depression, anxiety, M.E, tiredness and lack of energy, sleep apnia....  the list is really endless, the real power of reflexology is that if it can find a problem it will heal it. So even if the problem is undiagnosed by doctors, if the body knows it is wrong we can use reflexology to stimulate the body to heal itself.

I am always happy when someone comes to me with an undiagnosed problem, or is just feeling run down or emotional, as the diagnostic abilities of reflexology are so strong that we will always find the cause, and if we can find it, we can treat it.

At the West End Reflexology Practice we practice clinical reflexology, a modern method of therapy used to treat medical problems, and not purely as relaxation as in a salon. This method of reflexology uses a firmer pressure to more specific areas of the feet than recreational reflexology. The body measures the amount of imbalance and registers it as discomfort in the area of the feet being worked on, therefore it may be uncomfortable on the feet whilst they are being worked on.

When you arrive for your first treatment, you will be asked questions about your medical history and your presenting symptoms. After this you will receive a 40-45 minute reflexology treatment, where pressure is applied to the various areas of the feet and ankles that corrospond to all the areas of your body. A chart is made of your body's reaction to this treatment, and this is what tells us what is going on in your body. The last 20 minutes of your visit is taken up with a soothing foot massage using camomille massage lotion and finished off with a witch hazel and eucalyptus spritzer. Although there is some mild discomfort in the feet during the reflexology treatment, the foot massage more than makes up for this, and the combination of the two make your whole body feel fantastic.

It is sometimes neccessary for the client to rest for a short time soon after the treatment for the body to absorb the treatment and to 'reboot'.

To treat an ailment it is usually necessary to treat the client once a week until all symptoms have alleviated, each week that you have treatment will improve your health, until all symptoms are gone. It may then be neccessary to use a monthly treatment to maintain the benefits attained.  Maintainence is not always required unless there is a reason for the body to revert ie. continued abuse of a bad back due to work or children etc...

Please have a look at our page titled testimonials to see what our clients say about their treatments.