Some interesting points MG7. Being ticklish doesn't necessarily mean a bad thing and may be a door to connect to the "inner child within".
One of the problems of the reflexology/holistic/newagey scene in general is that they want to create "meaning" out of everything. May be sometimes things are just are as they are 😀
Negativity Taught?
I almost didn't reply to this, though I DO want to thank Reike Pixie for the positive reply. And I almost considered starting a new thread, but kind of because of what RP replied thought there probably wouldn't be enough interest from anyone out there. I wholly agree, that ticklish feet do not have to mean anything; some people just are and so are not. But I do think the reaction...not the physical reaction, but the emotional mental reaction is taught. On the negative side unfortunately are those who were tortured by a bullying sibling, cousin, etc. and were "taught" that tickling is negative. But there are many who see it as bonding, positive and even healing. Many, most children love tickling and often ask for it but as we get older, more reserved, more inhibited, we withdraw and either become less ticklish or in many cases, because it may put us out of control, AND are even told it is a bad thing...pent up tension, etc., etc., etc. perceive it that way. Massage schools for the most part teach ticklishness as a negative bad thing. Avoid it at all costs! SOOOOOO closed minded. Tickling is one of the first bonding experiences between a mother and child. It can be a very positive AND healing experience lowering blood pressure, muscle tension, anxiety etc...IF it is applied correctly AND the recipient accepts it correctly. Ticklishness is one of the senses of touch and is a mystery today...still being studied and learned from. But for some reason, therapists rather than embracing and using and exploring it, do their best just to eliminate it 🙁 Again, it is sad we cannot learn from what is right before us and rely rather on what we are told.
I think the key to this is two-fold and would challenge anyone to try this. One, let it happen and don't resist. Lay down relaxed and LET someone lightly tickle your feet. LET them, ask them to. Second, give into it and just laugh. Don't fight it, don't reisit it...just let whatever happens happen and LET yourself laugh. Lay there and focus on what it feels like.Believe me, I have had this done for therapy and it is very stress relieving and has helped with a list of personal issues...knee pain, allergies, and just general well being. One a few occasions, after I left the therapy, I hit bumper to bumper traffic on the way home adn just floated through it with an almost giddiness that lasted a few days. And YES< I KNOW this would not work for everyone, nor is it for everyone, but neither is any modality. And for those who say, "But these results can be achieved through..." Yes, and you just proved my point. Maybe they can, but why be so closed minded and limit yourself. I always here the claim how open-minded holistic therapists are, yet rarely sit it. Laughter is a great thing, and tickling can be a great way to achieve it. Let the negative comments commence! :p
Hi musicguy7,
You won't get any negativity from me, it is more a case of what is 😀
I could not agree with you more on many of the points that you have made on your last post.
The original question came from a Reflexologist who was wondering how ticklish feet fitted into Chris Stormer's book "The language of feet" - are you familiar with this? My answer was aimed at giving Redribbon some confidence.
I treat many people who enjoy the sensations of hands on therapies, whether they find it ticklish or not, but it is a shame when people will not entertain reflexology or body massage because they have a problem with being tickled.
Are you a hands on therapist and how would you deal with people who would love to receive a successful hands on session without pulling away or over tightening their muscles to such an extent that very little is achieved?
As I said in several of my replies to Tashanie
As I say everyone is different 🙂 It is all down to perceptions and beliefs.
I agree it is a shame that people will not try a modality for fear of being tickled, and while I would gently encourage someone, I wouldn't force the issue. Some people have an issue with ticklishness, not necessarily with the sensation, but with the embarrassment of laughing or feeling foolish. I would encourage that its natural and a natural release. As far as technique I would hold the feet and use the firmer pressure, but again, that is after the fact. I think you would have to agree ( I checked out other links here on the subject ) that ticklishness is demonized...that its a result of tension, or some other negative trauma...instead of that its a very natural and could be cherished sense and reflex. I think so much of this is transference...when a child falls down, it the parent makes a big deal, the child cries, because they get that cue from the parent. If the parent smiles and makes it silly (and I am obviously only talking where a child is not hurt) then the child actually laughs...because they receive that cue from the parent. When the therapist acts like ticklishness is a negative thing when they could be embracing it and USING it, that, to me adds more stress to the person being massaged. I actually feel sorry for people who are not ticklish to some degree. And again, I know everyone is different...it just comes across in the field as very negative. There is so much positive to it.:p
As for Chris Stormer and other authors of books about mind-body connections, I find them slightly limited. Huge assumptions are made and are unfortunately taken as some kind of gospel truth. They are really generalisations to help to have a open mind to the potential psychology behind the illness. Hints for investigation not necessarily actual truths.
It is unfortunate that many reflexologists have fallen into this trap of "reading" people and making the most incredible leaps of guess work masked as some kind of divine revelation or holistic principle not to be questioned.
I hear this BS on a regular basis from clients and reflexologists. It has turned what is a noble healing art into some kind of parlour game. Which leads me to Chris Stormer's book, Language of the Feet. When I read it, I treated as a comic and had a bit of a chuckle 😀
As for my own therapy insight into mind-body connections, suggests can be made with open questions and allow the client to explore and discover their own truths, not the reflexologist/therapist who says because of "this" it means "that" like simple mathematical equation A+B=C.
Hi RP,
I seem to recall that we have covered The Language of Feet in other posts here on HP 😀
IMO reflexology is an intuitive healing system, but I do not reject or judge any tool which might help someone to open up who otherwise might possibly not have felt able to do so.
Hi musicguy7,
You make some good points, I agree every person is different.
Gaiaholistix, I am sorry if all this came off as a personal attack and I apologize; that was not my intention and I do appreciate your response. I'll be honest, it didn't hit right and even reading back over, I can't say I agree with everything, but I do agree with you conclusion and as been said, everyone is different.
I find this particular modality absolutely fascinating, first having it done and knowing first hand the results and then sharing it with others, and I will admit, I don't understand it all...I just know it works. I can pretty much guarantee the majority here would poo-poo at even trying it. (Sorry, that just came to my head 🙂 But it is a loss. I truly wish holistic therapists were as open as they clame to be...not referring to you 🙂 Its a truly unique and fascinating modality...and has been even noted as a fun type of therapy by both the giver and receiver. That does not make it silly or not legitimate...its just that laughter or causing laghter is contagious and makes one smile.
Finding the root cause, hidden belief, hidden perception may seem like an intelligent notion, but isn't that intelligent. Logic tells you-find the root where it all started. We do that in our daily life to solve problems naturally and organically.
But therapy world has taken this to dizzy heights. The detective work, how to find the hidden, unravel the beginnings of a belief to get rid of the issue has been down to several therapies eft does that, Louise Hay, several other authors of similar works. Mostly when one book gets attention, many thousand similar works flood the market....Your direction has been highjacked so to speak. Then everyone is bought and sold that to heal go to the root....Then many many start working, therapies of that nature come into being. All looking for beliefs to get rid of issues
It is the age of therapy and headings etc how much is actually healed? More and more people going into therapy, analysing their problems, recognising their problems....if it worked those people would be done with help. But more issues are created, more to unravel more to heal. More clients more therapists...the world goes on exactly the same...
Therapy has created issues out of normal things. This thread just accentuates that. Therapy takes away grace from small idiosyncrasies, small glitches, normal tendencies, habits are made wrong then therapy offers you help to get rid of them.
The belief that everything is down to a belief, is a belief....yet therapist propounds that with some panache!
Life does not need analysing, digging, healing, sorting as opposed to the principles of mind therapies. Most things find their natural flow if you allow them. Rather than going digging for hidden beliefs, perceptions, root causes...if we allow with open heart whatever is taking place...the hidden reveals itself, should you need to see it, if not, you just change, no matter whatever was causing it....It comes into awareness from the unaware ness by staying open. When you are settled more comes into awareness.
Wrong end of the stick...find, detect, hunt down causes more issues and makes many a normal things wrong. Then obliged to find cure for it...endless therapy happens.
Therapy inadvertently perpetuates issues.
50, 60 years ago there was hardly any therapy in the form we have today yet people were more together, more graceful in their good times bad times, problems. Now everyone has so much knowledge (both client and therapist are well versed in what is what...), yet so little acceptance and allowing. Therapy has taken grace out of normal by branding it as something that needs resolving.
Life lives itself beautifully if you don't condemn things, your own labelling them bad( with a little help from your therapist) throws you in the quagmire of endless working on yourself...
(RP, your signature filled with insight)
Hi Jnani
If you examine the systems like eft etc, then you will see that they are all about acceptance and then instigating change through that acceptance, discerning what needs accepting is just a means to an end, not the end, the end is the change that comes through the acceptance of self and the things that we create for self within self. 😉
Hi Jnani
If you examine the systems like eft etc, then you will see that they are all about acceptance and then instigating change through that acceptance, discerning what needs accepting is just a means to an end, not the end, the end is the change that comes through the acceptance of self and the things that we create for self within self. 😉
In acceptance what else needs doing?
Tapping, working on it, finding root cause? Is that acceptance? Or a phrase even if I have this....I accept myself
In the moment your heart has accepted, the issue becomes non issue. It does not matter if it stays or goes.
The fact that you are still trying to resolve it is because it does matter. It better be gone. I will tap until it goes....acceptance?
Hi Jnani
If we have decided that we are not good enough or worthy at some point and have embraced that as a core belief, then that is what we are and what we are creating for self within our life experience, if we are guided through whatever means is used to discerned the root of the problem so that we can acknowledge and accept that we have chosen to be unworthy and not good enough, then the core underlying problem has been reveled, but nothing has changed.
We will remain unworthy and not good enough as a core way of being, until we choose to do something about it and transform the core belief from accepting that we are not worthy or good enough to be into accepting that we are good enough and worthy to be, then the underlying core problem will be healed, without change there is no healing, healing is simply the change from one state of being into another state of being.
Hi Jnani
If we have decided that we are not good enough or worthy at some point and have embraced that as a core belief, then that is what we are and what we are creating for self within our life experience, if we are guided through whatever means is used to discerned the root of the problem so that we can acknowledge and accept that we have chosen to be unworthy and not good enough, then the core underlying problem has been reveled, but nothing has changed.
We will remain unworthy and not good enough as a core way of being, until we choose to do something about it and transform the core belief from accepting that we are not worthy or good enough to be into accepting that we are good enough and worthy to be, then the underlying core problem will be healed, without change there is no healing, healing is simply the change from one state of being into another state of being.
Being worthy is a life issue for almost everyone. Therapy may or may not heal that.
The point was therapy is making many small things into issues...like ticklish feat. Life needs acceptance. If small things are accepted, bigger things also come into that compass slowly but surely.
But if we start making smallest of things into issues and working on them, the effect is unsettling. Counter productive.
Acceptance is a direction and the way therapy works, it undermines that natural flow of acceptance and imposes itself on the simplicity of life.
Worthiness etc is relatively new area that masses have stated to work on. People were carrying on just fine, just 5, 6 decades ago, without any ado about major life issues.
There was generally more acceptance than we have now
Are we psychologically more sound? Are we emotionally more balanced, now that we collectively know about self worth and core beliefs?
Hi Jnani
Being worthy is a life issue for almost everyone. Therapy may or may not heal that.
That ties in with my understanding, which is why I found a new way of healing the inner divisional conflicts that arise through being unworthy into the wholeness that comes from being worthy.
The point was therapy is making many small things into issues...like ticklish feat. Life needs acceptance. If small things are accepted, bigger things also come into that compass slowly but surely.
Agreed, ticklish feet are not a problem to most people, but for those who have a real issue with being overtly ticklish, to dismiss it as unimportant and to tell them to accept and get on with it, does not help them, they need a solution to the problem that is creating suffering within their life experience.
But if we start making smallest of things into issues and working on them, the effect is unsettling. Counter productive.
The only person who can decide if something is an issue for them or not, is the person who is experiencing the ramifications of making that personal choice, it is immaterial if their problem is an aspect of our own life experience or not, if they say that they have a problem with something, then they have a problem that we should acknowledge and take seriously, if we do not believe that something is a problem, then we can't conceive a solution to it. 😉
Acceptance is a direction and the way therapy works, it undermines that natural flow of acceptance and imposes itself on the simplicity of life.
As I have said in my last post accepting that we have chosen to be something or experience a way of being, does not change anything, there is nothing simple being born into a cast system or bondage or any judgmental system that tells you that you have to accept that you are not worthy of doing or being something, acceptance might help to keep the simplicity of keeping people in their place, but it does little for the individuals who are living their life experience in expression of this way of being!
Worthiness etc is relatively new area that masses have stated to work on. People were carrying on just fine, just 5, 6 decades ago, without any ado about major life issues.
There was generally more acceptance than we have now
The collective consciousness that was around following the experience of the last war requires something different to what is required now, the issues were here, but people were of the opinion that you just go on with it, make do and mend and all that, they just wanted to create normality in place of the destruction that had been in existence. 🙂
Are we psychologically more sound? Are we emotionally more balanced, now that we collectively know about self worth and core beliefs?
That is the whole point Jnani, we now have a choice and a solution to the problems that arise form our core beliefs, we no longer have to put up with things and make do, or try and ignore them like we had to do, we can be whole, we can be healed into wholeness, we can be re-harmonised and balanced, there is a choice and a solution in existence now. 🙂
Kudos JNANI, I think you summed it up well. I don't think the following reply to JNANI was even close to being on tarrget:
JNANI: The point was therapy is making many small things into issues...like ticklish feat. Life needs acceptance. If small things are accepted, bigger things also come into that compass slowly but surely.
Paul: Agreed, ticklish feet are not a problem to most people, but for those who have a real issue with being overtly ticklish, to dismiss it as unimportant and to tell them to accept and get on with it, does not help them, they need a solution to the problem that is creating suffering within their life experience.
JNANI never said, or implied that someone's concern should be dismissed or trivialized. He said accept the fact and work with it...not in those words and JNANI, correct me if I am wrong since you made the original statement, but that is how I read it. The "problem" in many cases is not the ticklishness which can be most often USED or if not, alleviated for a different affect, but the therapist attaching it to a problem or root...you are uptight, nervous tension, etc. Personally, for me the more tense I am, the less ticklish I am and the point is, that's just me. There is no meaning behind ticklish feet. It just is. Some are and some are not. It can be a useful blessing as very very few therapists have yet to accept or discover or a curse which most therapists accept. Remember when reflexology just started to get popular. It was mocked and rejected by MANY therapists and slowly and gradually made its way into acceptance.
Hi Musicguy7
So if you were suffering from sciatica and went to see someone and they told you to just accept the symptoms of pain and work with it, that acceptance is all that is required, then what would you think to that as you struggled to leave their treatment room?
Can you say that there is no underlying cause for anyone who is over sensitised to the sensation of being tickled, regardless of what they have endured to get to that point?
Just because we have not experienced something within our own life experience, does not necessarily mean that no one else has experienced something in a different way, when someone comes with an OCD problem, I probably will not have experienced what they are experiencing, but that does not stop me addressing their problem from their perspective, they are the ones with the problem that needs addressing after all. 🙂