Hi ya all
I'm glad you like the idea of the use of fresh lemons.
It's the way to go in reflexology!
I got the idea while studying in Thailand. But in most Thai foot massage sessions they use soap and scrubbing brushes while soaking the feet, which is ideal in a culture where people wear sandals or flip-flops. In our culture we are more likely be socked and shod, so just a foot soak and fruit cleanse should be fine.
Cheers
Reiki Pixie
I have
I always have to ask (and have done here before) what the colleges rationale is for using surgical spirit. I say...show me the research based reasons for using ss.
I have never, ever had a reflexologist use anything other than a small freshen up wipe. I would go ape-shi* if someone put ss near my feet or any other harsh chemical medium.
I use 2 facecloths soaked in really hot water and essential oils (always do a check re eo's are o.k. with client first). The cloths are boil washed and tumble dried afterwards, they are then popped in a bag with the clients name and kept in my cabinet with my consultation files. I use two towels under my clients feet, one for drying the feet I have just cleansed which I then remove and underneath is the fresh towel for covering and keeping warm the foot I am not working on at the time.
I have to agree with Reiki-Pixie and the rest re surgical spirit use and this almost ocd mentality re cleansing the feet.....why do the colleges advise this...that's what I want to know.
Just a thought.....do all the people who are paranoid about touching clients feet or bodies take their own sheets and towels to any hotels they are booked into? Just think how many bodies have touched them before!!:eek: and hairdressers too, how many scalps have those towels been round?
🙂
Patchouli
I only use the SS when doing a massage - its how I was taught, but I guess, you guys are right! I have never used gloves - think I'd find it rather impersonal, as well as being OTT.
Loved the cloth & EO idea, brilliant! The citrus is a good idea too - maybe I shall be overhauling my practices......;)
In our course (AoR accredited) we weren't even told about cleaning the feet.
If someone does have particularly smelly feet, which isn't actually that often, then I just give them a quick wipe with some babywipes.
At the end of every treatment I use anti-bacterial gel on my hands, the type that dries very quickly.
My Reflexology course was AoR Accredited, and we were taught to use baby wipes at the start of each treatment.
It was my massage course where i was taught to clean the feet with SS.
I only use anti-bac hand gel if doing an 'event', ie where I cant get to use a hand basin (soap and hot water). I find the hand gel really dries out my hands.
Hello again,
We were told to use surgical spirit or wipes, most of us chose wipes. We wore gloves until the feet were cleaned and checked. I'm glad I wear gloves to check my clients feet. I've had a couple of people who've had athletes foot quite bad between their toes and I wouldn't want to spread the infection! I had to abandon treatment until it had cleared. I would never use rubber gloves because of all the allergies (mine included), I use vinyl gloves. No-one has ever complained.
Claire
I had to smile at the surgical spirit thing. I was told to use surgical spirit when I was training and I always thought it a bit harsh. However, I actually liked it used on me, I liked the coldness and how it made my feet feel fresh.
Since I qualified though I've never used it I just use no fragrance baby wipes and I've never had anyone complain about having their feet wiped.
I now sometimes use the new anti-bac gel that's out now and massage it inbetween the tootsies while doing the relaxation techniques at the beginning.
When I did ITEC massage, we were told to use surgical spirits to clean the feet, and in Reflex the same. Fair enough it does the job but it is very harsh and smells very strong. I often think does the client think they have smelly feet and that's the reason why you are cleaning them?
Now I use antibacterial wipes from superdrug and tell the client I am just refreshing their feet which they seem to enjoy. I also use them in other therapies i.e whilst doing IHM before doing facial massage and same with ear candling.
Personally, I think that "cleansing" the clients feet makes them feel a bit more at ease about odours etc. I have never had any complaints.
Love & blessings,
Rachel
In my class we dont physically clean the clients feet, they sit with their feet in warm soapy water whilst I am talking to them...then i put a towel on my knee, they put one foot onto my lap and i dry the feet whilst inspecting them...all with gloves on of course.
Gloves? Why? I'd leave!!
Maggie xx
I'd be right with you Mog!
That makes no sense at all, the feet have been cleaned in the bowl of water and you take the gloves off presumably to carry out the actually reflexology treatment, so why would you wear them to observe and dry the feet. Observation can be done effectively with the eyes, there is no reason for you to be palpating an infected area in order to find it. Obviously if thats what you need to do to get through the course do it, but if you don't want to scare off your customers when out in the real world, I'd lose the gloves after you qualify 😉
Aren't some reflexology tutors anal!
We're living in a Gordon Blair nanny state. :dft005:
RP
Gloves? Why? I'd leave!!
Maggie xx
....cos its a VTCT course and they are very 'Health and Safety'...pretty crap really.
I dont actually put the gloves on, but I am supposed to (shhhh).