In today’s post, we’ll consider a bit of a controversial topic, namely whether it is allowed for Christians to make use of Therapeutic Reflexology.
Why the question?
Why is this even relevant, you may ask? Well, this is a question I sometimes get in my practice, especially when the patient belongs to the Christian faith and they may have heard some concern from somewhere as there are numerous opinions about complementary medicine being offered as truth. It has, therefore, become necessary to consider this question, but let me warn you, this may be a controversial post and you have the right to disagree with me, but this is my professional opinion about the matter.
Is Therapeutic Reflexology linked to a specific religion?
No, not at all. Therapeutic Reflexology is a registered and formally regulated healthcare modality in South Africa, just like medicine, physiotherapy, speech therapy or podiatry. It should be clearly noted that Therapeutic Reflexology is a healthcare modality and not linked to any religion just as other healthcare modalities are not linked to specific religions either. With that clearly stated, let us consider the question at hand in the rest of this post.
What qualifies me to even attempt to answer this question?
Firstly, I am a qualified and registered Therapeutic Reflexologist so I do have the knowledge about what the healthcare modality of Therapeutic Reflexology entails. Secondly, apart from being a Therapeutic Reflexologist, I have also studied various other subjects during my working career and I additionally hold a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree, thus giving me a bit of insight into what the Christian Bible has to say about certain matters, especially within the field of practical theology and apologetics.
That being said, this post is based on my personal opinion, which you may disagree with.
This is said solely because of basic logic: Sometimes you may hear a Christian making claims against complementary healthcare modalities making it out to be something sinister and evil, but these are usually people with very limited knowledge of the complementary healthcare modality being discussed, often with only some basic misperception of knowledge obtained through a Google search. It is necessary to understand the healthcare modality before making claims about it.
As a Therapeutic Reflexologist, I believe to have the knowledge needed to discuss this matter and coming from a background of Christianity, I have investigated this matter in depth before even considering embarking on a journey of studying Therapeutic Reflexology. That in itself should already give an indication of where I’m leaning with this post.
May Christians make use of Therapeutic Reflexology?
My plain answer to this question is: YES!
Christians may make use of Therapeutic Reflexology just as they make use of other healthcare modalities like Western Medicine or Physiotherapy or Podiatry or Audiology or Dentists or Optometrists.
The question arises, why would Christians be hesitant to make use of a complementary healthcare modality, but not at all to use other healthcare modalities. The answer is simple: Due to misinformation.
Let me try to explain.
Misinformation
Many have been misinformed about complementary healthcare modalities, including Therapeutic Reflexology by believing it is based on Eastern religious principles. That is simply not true. Therapeutic Reflexology is no more based on religious principles as Western Medicine is based on religious principles.
Therapeutic Reflexology is a study of science and the training includes the study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology. More than that, the study of Therapeutic Reflexology includes an understanding of reflexology principles based on scientific principles, but also an understanding of how it was explained in older days (when modern medical terms did not exist).
This is where some Christians may have a problem because in the older days there was an explanation of terms like Yin and Yang, which are principles that were used in some Eastern religions. Therapeutic Reflexologists should be aware of this, especially when working with patients from other religions that use terms like this and who may have found similar terms on Google. Let us look at this logically. Therapeutic Reflexology is not based on a religious principle of Yin/Yang. Those are terms used in certain circles and that was used in older days or in Eastern regions where those are well-known terms within those communities and religions. In modern times, Therapeutic Reflexologists do not speak about this, but we do speak about the concept behind those terms, namely homeostasis. The mention of terms like that was in an attempt to explain balance in the body in times when modern medical terms like homeostasis were not available.
I dare you to read up on some medical documents from hundreds of years ago. Nowhere in there will you find terms like homeostasis or remission or inflammation or pathology or neuropathy. Why not? The simple answer is, because these modern terminologies did not exist a few years ago and in those years other terms were used to explain concepts, including terms that are presently subscribed to being Eastern or even used in certain religions. Just because a term was used in the past, does not make the concept behind it, less true or less medical in modern society. We just have better and more acceptable terms to use these days.
Let me give you another shocking example. When reading up on church history, you hear about how many witches were punished for what they did. However, if you read a bit wider you may realise that the women that were portrayed to be witches and punished, may actually have been mere midwives. Shocking! Of course, it is. The Christian Bible itself says in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to test all things and to hold fast to what is good. Just because you learn about something, does not mean you have to practice it. When you study theology, you need to learn about all kinds of different religions, but it does not mean you have to practice all those religions; it provides you with the knowledge to understand people and their cultures and religions better and when applied correctly, it causes you to love all people better since you understand them better. The same with studying any healthcare modality; learning about the older terms and explanations and the origin of professions, make you understand where many people are coming from and then you have the ability to explain to each patient a concept to the best of your ability taking their point of reference into consideration.
There is nothing sinister about Therapeutic Reflexology!
The misconceptions creep in when trying to read up on reflexology online, especially when mention is made of energy. Often when the word “energy” is heard, some Christians may immediately be alarmed and say that it is a weird modality based on some weird energy transfer occurring. That is simply not true.
Firstly, let us address energy. We all learn about energy in school. Not in some or other Eastern religious class, but in natural sciences. Why is that? The answer is simple because energy exists in any form of matter. If you have studied natural science in school, you should be aware of the fact that any matter vibrates at a specific frequency and that is called energy. Nothing weird about it; it is plain scientific principles.
Secondly, Therapeutic Reflexology is not about the transfer of any energy. Therapeutic Reflexology is based on the stimulation of nerve endings in the feet and sometimes other parts of the body in order to assist the body to relax and balance itself from the inside out. That is a natural way in which your body was designed to function; to balance itself. That is also not weird; what happens when you cut yourself? Your body tries to balance itself by clotting the blood to prevent an imbalance in blood loss. What happens when you hold your breath? Your body overrides your brain and forces you to start breathing again, because it needs to restore balance or else too much carbon dioxide in the body may cause damage. That is not weird, that is the normal physiological functioning of your body.
So, no, Therapeutic Reflexology is not based on religion, it is actually based on science. It is not about energy transfer; it is about restoring balance in the body. It is not about restoring balance through energy transfer; it is about stimulating nerve endings in order to create the optimum environment for the body to restore its own balance.
I think people sometimes think that Therapeutic Reflexology is about the therapist pressing a certain magic point on the foot that may cause something, but it is not the Therapeutic Reflexologist pressing any point; instead, it is about the therapist stimulating the feet and sometimes other parts in order for the body to restore its own balance.
Conclusion
This short post does not do justice to this vast topic and much more can be said about this matter, but in short, my conclusion is that Christians can safely make use of Therapeutic Reflexology without fear of getting involved in something weird; at least not any more weird than any other healthcare modalities they are making use of.
Therapeutic Reflexology a healthcare modality, just like other healthcare modalities. Most healthcare modalities include a study of the history of the profession or modality that includes some principles that may be seen as “suspicious” by some, but registered healthcare modalities today are based on scientific principles and not on religion.
I know this is a controversial topic and many may want to disagree with me, but let me end this post with a short disclaimer. Your opinion may be different from mine, but I have studied extensively for a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies years ago to determine whether it is acceptable for Christians to make use of complementary healthcare. My conclusion was that although there are certain principles and practices Christians should be aware of and even cautious about, in general, there is nothing wrong with making use of complementary healthcare. I was so convinced of my conclusions that I myself embarked on studying more about complementary healthcare, especially Therapeutic Reflexology.
As a Christian, you should be aware of the fact that God will never lead you into anything you feel uncomfortable with or to any therapist or practitioner that you are uncomfortable with. That is always a good measure to guide you. Be at ease with your therapist.
If you come to me for a Therapeutic Reflexology session and you do not feel comfortable with me personally, we can discuss it and once understanding your concerns, I’ll gladly refer you to another therapist with whom you may be more comfortable.
Always remember, a Therapeutic Reflexologist is a professional healthcare provider that works in a multidisciplinary team and can therefore refer you to the relevant professional if needed.
I know this is touching on many controversial matters and it is based on personal opinion, but please do not hesitate to visit your Therapeutic Reflexologist and experience the therapy first hand instead of lending your ears out to others’ opinions. We have all been created with a brain, with a mind, and with a personality in order to make up our own minds; we are not to give away our minds and just blindly accept everything that a third party is telling you.
Let me end-off this post with a very important note: Therapeutic Reflexology is a formally regulated healthcare modality that is not based on any religion and also does not discriminate against any person. You may use Therapeutic Reflexology regardless of your culture, gender, religion, sexual orientation or any other criteria and as a professional therapist, your Therapeutic Reflexologist will always treat you with dignity and respect without trying to ever force their own opinions on you.
Therapeutic Reflexology creates a safe space for you to experience the ultimate form of relaxation regardless of who you are or where you come from or where you intend to go in the future.
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Christo A. Scheepers: Therapeutic Reflexologist
Dip.T.R.(Cum Laude) [IARAMT]
AHPCSA: A11945
Pr. No.: 1080000737453
Tel. 072-800 7243