Introduction
Therapeutic Reflexology is a holistic modality in the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) healthcare industry. It is an emerging non-invasive therapeutic modality gaining popularity as a natural healing therapy of choice in Western society. Therapeutic Reflexology is a holistic therapy working mostly on a patient’s feet, but sometimes also on other parts of the body like the hands or the ears.
Reflexology vs Therapeutic Reflexology
Globally the modality is known as Reflexology, but in South Africa distinction is made between Reflexology and Therapeutic Reflexology. Reflexology is seen as a foot massage as used in the health and skincare (beauty) industry in South Africa.
Therapeutic Reflexology is a professional profession in the healthcare industry formally regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) in terms of the Allied Health Professions Act, 1982 (Act 63 of 1982) alongside other professions like chiropractors, homeopaths and naturopaths, making it illegal to practice reflexology without being registered and regulated by this statutory council. The reason for this is due to therapeutic reflexology being offered as a therapy in the healthcare industry and it is important to protect the public, just like medical doctors have to be registered and regulated to practice to ensure protection to the public.
The benefit of Therapeutic Reflexology being formally regulated by a statutory council in the healthcare industry, is that a registered Therapeutic Reflexologist may apply for a practice number (Pr. No.) from the same organisation where medical doctors obtain their practice numbers, making it possible for medical aids to reimburse therapeutic reflexology sessions (depending on the medical scheme and medical aid option/plan the patient belongs to).
What is Therapeutic Reflexology?
Therapeutic Reflexology is a non-invasive therapeutic modality based on scientific principles where it is believed that the feet (and other parts of the body) represent the entire body due to the numerous nerve endings. Therapeutic Reflexology is seen as a science, because it is based on the study of physiology and neurology, but it is also seen as an art, because it is very much dependent on the skill of the individual reflexologist.
How does Therapeutic Reflexology work?
Therapeutic Reflexology works by means of the nervous system. When the foot is touched, it is felt due to a complex nervous system connecting body parts and similarly when the feet are stimulated, it has a positive effect on the whole body by inducing deep relaxation.
The specific part stimulated on the foot has a positive effect on the associated body part by means of the connected nervous system and the transfer of energy along associated pathways. When talking about energy, some people may immediately think it is referring to airy-fairy beliefs, but that is not true; everything in the universe has energy (as taught in science at school level already) and matter vibrates at a specific frequency (that is what differentiates materials according to scientific principles). This scientific energy is what is referred to when talking about energy in Therapeutic Reflexology context.
Therapeutic Reflexology is ideal for stress relief and as stress is reduced, bodily functions improve and gives the body the opportunity to heal itself and to return to a state of balance. During this process the body produces endorphins which makes a person feel good, but also reduces pain as it is a natural pain killer.
Calcium crystal deposits are sometimes felt in the feet (the end point of bodily circulation) and during reflexology these crystals are broken down and toxins released through improved circulation. Therapeutic Reflexology stimulates overall health and wellbeing.
Legislative Restrictions
It should be noted that a Therapeutic Reflexologist works within a Scope of Practice provided by the AHPCSA to ensure that boundaries are not overstepped and to ensure proper referrals are made when a reflexologist reaches the end of their expertise. Being part of a multi-disciplinary healthcare team, the Therapeutic Reflexologist is able to effectively refer to other healthcare professionals.
Therapeutic Reflexologists are therapists and not diagnostic practitioners and therefore they will never diagnose any illness, but they are allowed to provide therapy to already diagnosed conditions within their scope of practice by working on the entire foot which represents the whole body and then focus a bit more time on specific areas which represent different organs in the body in order to assist the body to heal itself.
Therapeutic Reflexology does not cure or heal a specific condition, but assists the body in functioning optimally and stimulate its own innate healing abilities. Therapeutic Reflexology deals with the root causes of disease by inducing deep relaxation and reducing stress in order to enable all bodily systems to function at its best while improving circulation which delivers important nutrients and oxygen to all the body organs, glands and systems. When the body functions at its best, it has the ability to naturally deal with disease, conditions and discomfort.
Conclusion
Therapeutic Reflexology is a great modality to use when patients want to accept responsibility for their own health and it is not without reason that it is seen as one of the most popular CAM modalities in the world.
When considering the services of a Therapeutic Reflexologist, always ensure that the therapist is fully qualified and professionally registered with the AHPCSA. Never be afraid to ask to see the Therapeutic Reflexologists qualification and registration certificates; professionals will not be offended and they should clearly display such documents in their therapy rooms as per AHPCSA regulations.
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Christo A. Scheepers: Therapeutic Reflexologist
Dip.T.R.(Cum Laude)[IARAMT]
AHPCSA: A11945
Pr. No.: 1080000737453
Tel. 072-800 7243