Are my standards/expectations too high for reflexology?

[Weedodenaiz]

Hi everyone

Just wonderingwhatisexpected in a reflexology treatment, just had a treatment as I am nearing the end of my course, I believe it helps keep me informed as a client what to expect. I felt that the reflexologist didn't warm my feet up basically going straight in to working the zones of the feet, lighting was awful without any relaxing scentor music in the room - is this the norm once I have passed, I have high standards so is it just me expecting too much or not ?

 

[carpenterslavemoney]

Are you not working on each other on your course?



No this should not be the norm. Mind you I use relaxing music, but would never use scent as in candles or joss sticks as this can be very bad for asthma and also can be very overpowering. Stick with your high standards people will quickly pass that on to their friends. Best of luck to you.

 

[LadyMady]

Hi Healistic

Yes we are working on each other but I didn't know what the norm was when qualified as the reflexologistI had a treatment with had qualified 7 yrs ago, it just seemed so rushed and not enjoyable !

Thanks lots Sue x

 

[Sub-Zero]

Hi Sue

There's the rub.
As a Teacher IMO it is the difference between a therapist that is committed to holistic healing and a therapist that just considers it a Job.

 

[shadowweavers]

Hello,

The asthetics of the treatment room and the warm up techniques are important, but I have been doing case studies and, sometimes, you just don't have that. I have worked on people in various different types of chair, sometimes having to sit on the floor myself, used different types of cream, and had various types of background 'music' from the roadworks outside to trance music that one client considered relaxing.

I think that treatments are more about the intention of both the client and practitioner: to work together to encourage the body, mind and spirit to rebalance.

Melissa

 

[bandittt x3]

Hi Melissa

Very much agree

Sue

 

[Say]

This is a very good question Sue. When I was training to be a reflexologist, Louise Keet always used to advise us to ask clients 'How can I meet your needs today?' Such a simple thing but so important that I have never forgetten it. You felt that your needs were not being met by your treatment, and that's a pity.

Going to a therapist for the first time is a bit like a blind date, don't you think? We have our expectations and that person may not live up to them. All therapists have styles that differ from one to the next, and of course different clients have differing tastes and expectations too. It's hard. As Melissa pointed out, there can be challenges to us therapists too. Rising to those challenges is what makes the difference between an OK therapist and a brilliant one I think I know a reflexologist who is recently qualified. She does some work with severely disabled people, and is finding all sorts of ways to make her treatments work for her clients. I take my hat off to her.

When I'm taking a history I use the time to try to get to know my new client and figure out how I can offer them the best treatment and an experience they will like and find beneficial. Sometimes they don't come again and you may never know why (hey, that's life!), but most of the time it works fine and you know from their response that you've done a good job for them. I try to remember to check whether they like music, although I've yet to find someone who asked for no music to be played. I check that the seating position is comfortable, that the person is warm enough, that the lighting is suitable and so on. I have no smellies at all in my treatment room as some smells can make people feel sick or give them headaches (I'm not good with people wearing strong perfume, myself). And then I give them what I think (and hope) is a great treatment!

Sorry if this is a little disjointed, but sometimes I have trouble getting all my thoughts to hang together in a nice and logical way! Yes, I have certainly had experiences like yours, and have come away thinking 'Yikes, don't make me go back there again!'. I've simply moved on and found another therapist who was able to 'meet my needs' better. That therapist you saw may have a booming clientele but may just not be the one for you. It's a funny old game, isn't it?

 

[Ahmed E]

Hi At-one

Agree with everything you say, I have now found another therapist, who is lovely she is also, helping with advice when I qualify, she is kind and takes time to ask, how can I help you today, which is similar to what you said, it really does make a difference.

Many thanks & interesting.

Suex

 

[Fireater989]

Hiya Sue and Piggy

It's such a pleasure for me to share my experiences when I can, as others have done with me here on Healthy Pages. I've learned heaps from all the friendly and knowledgeable people here.

I will try to remember to talk to my friend to see if she has any pearls of wisdom to pass on, Piggy. You might want to do a separate post on here about working with kids who have additional needs to consider, so others will notice the title and respond. Working with children is quite different to working with adults, and of course adding to that each child's special requirements introduces a further dimension. I believe at least one person on here has posted about working with youngsters with special needs (sorry to keep using the word special but I can't think of another one just now!) so you may get some really good insights. Does your professional association, if you are a student member, have any advice about working with different client groups? And your tutors?

Piggy, I have some very ancient editions of the AoR journal, Reflexions, which has write ups by reflexologists who used to go into a school to treat a number of the pupils there. I don't know where you live, but if it's the other end of the country and you can't just pop down the road to borrow them, I could try to be clever and maybe scan the relevant pages for you. PM me if you are interested.

Karin Mittiga runs a centre for giving reflexology to parents and children, and she and another lady run workshops on working with kids with reflexology. Google might be able to provide more information, I think.

Right, I think that's everything I have to impart about that particular topic