Are you a fly-by-night reflexology patient or do you get your reflexology from a fly-by-night reflexologist? In today’s post, we’ll consider fly-by-night reflexology.
As a properly Registered Therapeutic Reflexologist with the statutory council regulating the profession in the country, namely the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA), it is sad to see how people are taken for a ride by fly-by-night reflexologists, but also how patients act like fly-by-night reflexology consumers and in the process, they only disadvantage themselves. Let’s look at these two separate fly-by-nights.
Fly-by-Night Reflexologists
So often, a pamphlet would be circulated where reflexology is offered by somebody at either a ridiculously low price or an exuberantly expensive price. We all know that these are fly-by-night reflexologists because properly registered Therapeutic Reflexologists are not allowed to use pamphlets to canvas and tout for clients; it is unprofessional and not the conduct of a healthcare professional. This action does provide a negative view of the profession in South Africa as they are confusing the general public with their advertising methods.
A bigger concern is that these so-called reflexologists do not have the proper training; they usually complete a short course and then think they are able to practice. If they were properly qualified, they would hold a two-year diploma in Therapeutic Reflexology from a reputable training institution that is recognised by the AHPCSA, registered with SAQA and the Department of Education. A proper qualification like this along with the 200 hours of practical community service allows for registration with the AHPCSA to legally practice the profession of Therapeutic Reflexology and be formally regulated to protect the public.
When not complying with this basic requirement, there are all these fly-by-night reflexologists trying to convince the public that they offer reflexology by offering them cheap services or some are offering extremely expensive services, and then the general public falls for their tactics, go to them for treatment and then they are often very disappointed in reflexology, yet, they have not been to a properly qualified Therapeutic Reflexologist.
Do yourself a favour and go for treatment to properly qualified, registered, and regulated healthcare professionals! You do not go to medical doctors for treatment that is not registered and regulated by their statutory council (Health Professions Council of South Africa), firstly because it is illegal for that person to practice and secondly because you want the best possible medical consultation, so why do you settle for this when it comes to the profession of reflexology? Do not let yourself be fooled; use properly qualified, registered, and regulated Therapeutic Reflexologists regulated by the AHPCSA.
It is always your choice who you go to for treatment, but you deserve the best possible treatment from the best possible healthcare provider, so do not settle for anything less than the ultimate best. You deserve the best, do not settle for less.
We see so-called reflexologists come and go; they appear out of nowhere, flood their area with pamphlets and specials and then one day, they disappear; thus, the term fly-by-night reflexologist.
As a reflexologist, I have been practicing since 2003 so you can be assured of the fact that I’m no fly-by-night healthcare provider.
Fly-by-Night Reflexology Patients
It is not only so-called reflexologists that are fly-by-nights, there are also many fly-by-night reflexology patients. They make an appointment, show up for the appointment, and expect the Therapeutic Reflexologist to either be a magician, a miracle worker, or a fortune teller and when they are not cured of a condition they have been struggling with for decades after only one session, then they disappear and never go for follow-up treatments, or they run to the next Therapeutic Reflexologist or another type of healthcare provider.
Fly-by-night reflexology patients show up once and then disappear instead of realising that a few sessions may be needed, but they usually just want miracles in one session and if they do not get it, they unfortunately disappear and never continue treatment and lose out on any possible benefit they could have. As a Therapeutic Reflexologist, I have your best interest at heart and will never continue treatment if I do not think it can add benefit to you (and yes, that is a discussion I do have with patients at some point in time without continuing providing treatment just for the sake of earning income; ask my previous patients), but you need to give Therapeutic Reflexology a fair chance and cannot expect everything to happen in just one treatment session. That is illogical. You usually go for a few sessions to a physiotherapist, or a chiropractor, or even a beauty therapist or your hairdresser, so why would you not use the same common sense for Therapeutic Reflexology treatments? Is it possibly because you have been burnt in the past by a fly-by-night reflexologist? It may be time to overcome the hurt of the past and to give your future a proper chance.
As a Therapeutic Reflexologist, I do see patients on a short-term basis if they want to deal with specific signs and symptoms, although it should be made clear that Therapeutic Reflexology assists the body to heal itself, or at least attempt to balance itself, and that may take a few sessions; only one session is an unrealistic expectation. I also work with patients on a long-term basis, especially if patients want to deal with ongoing conditions like high-stress levels, ongoing anxiety and emotional turmoil, or chronic conditions. Then I also work with patients that want to deal with infertility and once they fall pregnant, I can continue treatment throughout the pregnancy, delivery and after the birth, but many patients discontinue treatment once they fall pregnant. That is the choice of the patient and that is not what is meant by fly-by-night reflexology patients; those patients wanted Therapeutic Reflexology for a specific purpose and once they receive what they wanted, they sometimes choose to discontinue treatment; others, choose to continue treatment due to the added benefits they receive from Therapeutic Reflexology.
Conclusion
Therapeutic Reflexology is a formally regulated and recognised healthcare profession in South Africa so do not waste your time by using fly-by-night reflexologists, instead, use properly qualified and AHPCSA registered Therapeutic Reflexologists, but give yourself a fair chance and get a few treatment sessions and discuss progress and the way forward with your Therapeutic Reflexologist instead of becoming a fly-by-night reflexology patient.
Make your appointment today with a Registered Therapeutic Reflexologist and experience the benefits offered by this amazing healthcare therapy.
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Christo A. Scheepers: Therapeutic Reflexologist
Dip.T.R.(Cum Laude) [IARAMT]
AHPCSA: A11945
Pr. No.: 1080000737453
Tel. 072-800 7243