I had a new reflexology client today at the clinic where I work.
I went through the consultation with her and I always go through the contraindications immediately after the personal details (early on in the consultation), so that if I can't treat, not too much time has been spent and I can tell them that I'm sorry that I can't treat them today, but will be happy to treat on another occasion......etc.
Well I asked this woman if she had athlete's foot and she showed me a very small area between two toes on her right foot (she was still sitting in the chair at this point), but told me that she thought it was a chlorine allergy. I told her that it looked like athlete's foot, but would avoid that area.
Anyway, I continued with what turned out to be quite a long consultation, I then made up the lotion with aromatherapy oils for the foot massage afterwards, got the client on the couch and couldn't believe I was looking at the worst case of athlete's foot I have ever seen. In between every toe on both feet, the skin was coming away and along the length of both eye/ear pads - her left foot was bleeding.
It was now twenty minutes into the treatment, I had mixed up the oil and all because she hadn't disclosed information I had asked her for. She told me she didn't realise (she must have been in pain), so I decided that I would put some tea tree oil on the affected area and use the lotion blend to give her a very short foot massage, just working on the lower part of her feet.
I then charged her for the equivalent of a half hour treatment (as I still had to pay room rental) which she was happy to pay. But I can't understand how she didn't know she had the problem, or perhaps she was just trying it on.
Just wondered if anyone else had had a similar experience.
Lesley
RE: Some Clients!!
how naughty of her, she must have realised that you would see the other foot and that it was much worse than her right foot!
whilst i was doing my case studies one of my friends had an odd looking patch on his big toe, i asked what it was and being inexperienced i didnt know it was a fungal nail infection (i avoided it).
anyway months later we were having a casual conversation when he told me that he had been to the doctors because it had spread to all his toes and some fingers! i went mad!! he could have told me as i may have passed it on to others, but no it just went straight over his head!
RE: Some Clients!!
Hi Lesley
Oh poor you! How could she have not known the severity of it. Especially as it was bleeding.
I've not had anything as bad as that, but I had a lady with a fungal infection in the big toe. She knew she had it, but came to me without it covered and thought I would be able to touch it. Her words were "Oh, I didn't think it mattered" She must have known I needed to touch her toe! What annoyed me was, I didn't see it until her foot was up on my pillow, by which time, she probably infected my towels and pillow etc. I quickly got her to cover it with about 3 plasters and I still didn't even touch the toe during the treatment.
I get others who have verucae and come to me without covering it. It does amaze me, because I wouldn't want someone touching my feet if I had fungal infections and verucae on them!
Sara x
RE: Some Clients!!
It's about pretty basic hygiene, common sense and good manners. Fair enough, I do get people who don't realise they have athlete's foot and go away and treat it, but how can you not know at this stage??
RE: Some Clients!!
I could write a small book about the clients who turn up with fungus feet [sm=sad2.gif][sm=sad2.gif][sm=sad2.gif][sm=sad2.gif][sm=sad2.gif]
I explain I cannot treat them and offer neck back and shoulders, if not then I ask them to contact me when the feet have healed. I don;t mind losing clients, I do mind getting it myself and passing it onto other clients. I have learned to be a bit 'hard' about it.
Love Gillyxxxxxxxx
RE: Some Clients!!
Sometimes i'm not sure if it is athletes foot, because they say its psoriasis ( dry and cracked) and they've had it a long time! Especially if on the rest of the foot , not in between the toes. So many people have funny toenails, but i'm often not sure what it is.
I tried treating with rubber gloves once, after explaining the problem, but they tore by the end. If its in the toenails, using nail varnish can help, seals it in.
If i'm in doubt i rub mycota or similar into my hands after treatments.
I get dermatitis on my fingers sometimes so I know it can look similar.
lol
jan x
RE: Some Clients!!
Hi Aromababe
Could you not ask to look at their feet first. When I do nails I need to look at their hands and nails first to see if there are any problems.
Regards
Deb379
RE: Some Clients!!
Well, Deb, it's swings and roundabouts really. You could get them to take their shoes and socks off, get them on the couch, examine their feet and THEN do the consultation and another (not foot related contraindication) could come up which could stop the treatment.
I also think that the consultation gives me the opprotunity to build a bit of a rapport and some trust with the client before actually putting my hands on them.
Lesley
RE: Some Clients!!
Hi Lesley
Yes I guess so, and life throws all sort at you from which you can learn from. I think what you did was right anyhow.
Regards
Deb
RE: Some Clients!!
Had this discussion today actually with a reflexologist we interviewed and we both admitted we treat. I have a lovely client who decided to have reflexology and it turned out she has fungal infection in her nails. I know that it is highly contagious etc, but I avoided them. I put neat T-Tree on them first and afterwards I washed my hands well and then rubbed T-Tree well into my hands and nails. I haven't really got a problem with it to be honest. I change bedding and towels.
You can put plasters over verracaes and small patches of atheletes foot. At the end of the day it's your choice. I take the opportunity to educate them on the condition. Some really don't realise what they have.
For fungal infections apply a drop of T-Tree oil neat to each nail EVERY day. It will take months to clear up, but it will and nothing else works. My mother in law had it for thirty years and then tried it and it cleared right up, hers was very very bad in hands and feet. Patience needed, but it works.
As some of you know, I am have strong opinions on contra-indications and I respect all of you for your views, but I don't consider much to be contraindicated for treatments and will get their signature for consent and write to GP if need be. I treat all sorts of people, serious health complaints don't faze me at all to be honest and I am happy to treat because I see the enormous benefits people get from treatment.
I have put the cat amongst the pigeons now but expect it will lead to a good meaty exchange.
RE: Some Clients!!
That's a good idea, Lesley, checking the feet right at the start. Do others do this? I think I've been lucky and had only small problem areas which I simply avoided. Still, it might seem abrupt to get them straight in the chair as soon as they enter, no?!
Matt
RE: Some Clients!!
I agree, Candie, with small areas, but this was very extreme and bleeding. To be honest, her feet were so neglected and she must have been in pain, so I didn't want to go there. Still applied the tea tree though.
However, as mentioned in a different thread, I have found I've got ringworm on my left forearm. This is caused by a fungal infection called tinea, the same as athlete's foot. Not sure how I picked it up as I'm scrupulous with hygeine when treating (and may have got it elsewhere), but it just goes to show you can never be too careful.
Now I'm going to spend the next two weeks or so treating with tubigrip over my arm.
Lesley
RE: Some Clients!!
I agree, Candie, with small areas, but this was very extreme and bleeding. To be honest, her feet were so neglected and she must have been in pain, so I didn't want to go there. Still applied the tea tree though.
Ooo sounds really nasty, I wouldn't have done that either.
Have you got children? Re the ringworm??
RE: Some Clients!!
Candie, my kids are teenagers, and I don't think they've got any sign of ringworm.
I spoke to a friend today who is a dermatology consultant and she confirmed that most definitely I could have caught the ringworm from athlete's foot.
When I was working yesterday I also noted how I rested my forearms on the towel that had been wrapping up the client's feet. Also before you wash your hands you can transfer spores onto the taps and in one clinic as I have to leave the room to wash my hands, I could pass them onto the door handle.
Tinea doesn't need skin to skin contact to be passed on and all the handwashing and clean towels in the word won't completely contain it in clinic conditions. I think from experience, I'm really not happy to go there.
From a selfish point of view, I'm off to Forest Mere on Friday for some serious pampering, so want it cleared up before then or I won't be able to have any treatments (although from experience, the therapists there NEVER ask if we have any skin problems - but that's another discussion for another day!)
Lesley