I am not an experienced Reflexologist, since qualifying I have not done lots of treatments but have started to do more now as I really want to develop my clientbase. Up to now most of my clients have said they have enjoyed the treatment but I treated a lady recently who said she has had lots and lots of Reflexology over the years, all over the world and has had some fantastic treatments.
During the treatment she looked like she was not getting into it, when i moved to her left foot she made a point of saying that was the foot she always has problems with, I did noice a slight crunch around her shoulder area but thats all.
At the end she said it was the gentleist treatment she had ever received and as she has sensitive feet she normally feels alot, she said she had not felt anything, she followed it up with it was nice but then went on to tell me about a fantastic treatment she had in Poland where he was digging really deep and able to pin point everything.
It has knocked my confidence alot and I now feel a total failure, I am afraid she will go and tell me people I was no good, I thought I was pressing in deeply but maybe not? I do struggle with this as the majority of time I just dont feel anything, I get to the point where I do worry as I know people like feedback and I just dont have anything to tell them, only once did I really feel crunches and grainy bits.
I can only follow what I was taught but it makes me doubt my ability, maybe I should do an advanced course? this lady asked me where the liver was, I pressed on the area on her foot and she said oh, I did'nt feel anything in that area at all but I wonder now why she asked, there was nothing in her notes to say anything about the liver.
I have tried to press harder but I still dont feel anything, am I doing something wrong please, will it just come with experience??
Its really hard when a client has had lots of reflex before as you know they have probably had a great treatment and will be waiting for feedback on what I am supposed to find??
Please help
Hi Cherry
No you are not doing anything wrong !
The experience you had with this lady is part of becoming an experienced reflexologist and gaining confidence to be the best reflexologist you can be.
All of us reflexologists have our own way of feeling, reading and working reflexes there is no wrong or right way just the way that feels right to you.
You need only look at the many therories about reflexology and the different styles taught by different schools to appreciate that there is no one right way.
Remember all the people you have treated and the benefits they experienced from treatments with you !
When I started out I would try and accomodate clients who wanted harder treatments (I practise Gentle Touch Reflexology) I could never feel anything using hard pressure and the clients kept asking for harder and harder pressure. This happened to a couple of my colleages too.
After having two experiences of trying to please a client using hard pressure which is just not the way I work I concluded that these clients are just not the ones I want to work with because my skills do not match their requirements, so I now make it crystal clear that I work using light pressure at the time of booking.
This has not put anyone off ! Also there are quite a few people out there who quite fancy trying reflexology but have heard that it hurts so finding out that they can get the benefits of reflexology without any pain encourages them to come along and try it for themselves.
Wishing you all the best and enjoy the journey
love Lou
I have been told i have a very light touch by clients who have recieved reflexology elsewhere . However it has not stopped me getting clients and I have many who book on a regular basis and I have had good results with insomnia, stress and backache to name a few. Just go with what feels right, please do not let this experience worry you, we are all different, there is no right or wrong.
Hi Cherry,
Really sorry to hear your confidence got a knock. You say that most of your clients enjoy your reflexology treatments so please keep this in mind - that's really positive feedback.
Re the lady you saw - a person may have sensitive reflexes on one occasion, but that doesn't mean they're going to feel sensitive every time they have reflexology. That can vary.
Regarding the amount of pressure to use - you may do this already, but if not, you could try asking the client (at least once per foot) how they're finding the pressure. Gives them (and you) the opportunity to adjust it a little. Again, I don't know if you do this already (apologies if so :o), but before the treatment you could ask them to let you know if anything feels tender during the treatment (gives you information which you can use if the client wishes to discuss the treatment).
Re feeling what's going on with the reflexes, I think that does get easier with time (and you may find that easier with a medium pressure rather than a hard pressure) but it doesn't mean that you're expected to feel something every time on every reflex (well I don't :)). The treatment you're giving is about working those reflexes, and that's happening regardless of how sensitive you are to what's happening with them.
Plus a lot of the time you'll get that kind of feedback from the client - whether they feel sharpness, grittiness or discomfort etc when you work a certain point. You can get a lot of info from keeping an eye on their facial expressions (don't be afraid to ask them how they're doing if you can see something change there). Gives you information to be able to discuss with them, during or after the treatment (if they want to).
Just my thoughts, but I hope that helps a little Cherry. Don't feel intimidated by clients who have had treatments from people all over the world. You're unique, and so the treatment experience you offer will be unique. 😉
Best wishes
Estelle
Hi Cherry
There do seem to be two 'schools' of thought in Reflexology - one being the Gentle Touch / Precision Reflexology style - the other being A.R.T. / Finger Free. Both styles have importance, as not all clients like feeling huge pain and deep work going on in their feet, conversley some like to feel masive reactions as they follow the "no pain no gain" philosophy.
Remember, there is probably nothing wrong with what you are doing - it is probably more a problem that your client has, in that they only have experienced one style - and that's all they consider reflexology to be. But as we know, Reflexology can be delivered many ways.
One idea which might help is if you are unsure about your skills, is perhaps to book onto a CPD course with a local provider. You could either look to enhance your skill as they are (ie gentle touch) or look at how to learn to deliver one of the firmer techniques - but learn it properly so you don't strain your hands and fingers. Something like this would also boost your confidence too.
Hi Cherry, I agree with the others, this does not mean you are doing something wrong. Thankfully us therapists have different techniques and touch to match with the variety of clients.
That client might have had many treatments in the past, but if her treatments have not been regular she would lose the sensitivity in her feet. I'm willing to bet if you do see her again you would pick up on more.
The main thing is you do have clients that are happy with your service, we cant all please everyone. x
just forget her.
Just remember that although you will have a rapport and feel a connection with most clietnt and of course them with you, there will always be the odd time that you and a client just wont click. I have had this happen a a couple of occasions, no more than that thankfully.
I was taught that using a good strong pressure is the way to go and I personally really love a nice deep treatment, however I have found as my practice is developing and i amdiscovering new tecniques ,reflexology is also about working with the bodies energy, and this is picked up far better when using a very light touch. Just go with your insticnt, treat with the best of intentions and your on the right track 🙂