the all-important reflex

[sirrobbie]

Hi All,

I have a query which has been bugging me for ages now, I would really appreciate being 'put straight' on this. It's the matter of that all-important reflex - the spine!
Although I'm qualified and have been treating for a little while, I feel uncertain about whether its ok to actually travel down (and up) the medial side of the foot passing through the bladder reflex which is where I find the reflex takes me, if you see what I mean! On going down from the base of the big toe I thumb-walk in an 'arch' which includes going over the top of the bladder, on down to the heel. And then on returning, I thumb-walk just under the spinal reflex (as we were taught) which includes the bottom bit of the bladder. I can't see how you could avoid it, anyway?? But these are the things that worry newbies!!
I feel a bit silly asking about what amounts to basic technique, but the books aren't much help as the illustrations seem to vary a lot, and the fact of passing through the bladder reflex is never mentioned. Am I just getting too hung-up on this? Please help!

Always Trying

 

[Kaio j]

Hi,

I suppose when you work the spine you are effectively working all the reflexes in the body, well, the nerves anyway. Is there a special reason you do not want to cross the bladder reflex? You will naturally overlap on many reflexes throughout a treatment.

When I work the spine I don't find I do go over the bladder reflex. It will depend on the client's foot and where you work the bladder as methods do vary.

I will be interested to hear what others think.

Maggie

 

[KAP]

Hi Mog,
thanks for your reply - I did say I felt silly asking, but it does help a lot to air things. The training I did, though good, wasn't overly 'hands on' (if you'll forgive pun!) so we had to arrive at some conclusions ourselves. However, have had ok results from treatments so far, so must be aiming fairly near the mark?! Need to just get on with it, I guess.

Good wishes
x

 

[Riley]

Hi ya Always Trying

When I was training in reflexology, we thumb walked over the medial edge of the foot along 3 imaginary lines slightly overlapping each other to be comprehensive. The reality of reflexology is that most reflexes overlap each other and the spinal reflex and the bladder are a typical example (depending on what chart you use) .

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view, the bladder/kidney organs have a relationship to the back. An interesting energetic connection.

Reflexology is a means of stimulating healing within the client, not a diagnosic method. Reflexology can only be an art not a science.

You are not silly in asking this question. It's a question I'm sure plenty of reflexologists have asked themselves before. Too many practitioners think that the charts are like the 10 commendments, cut in stone .

Best Wishes

Reiki Pixie

 

[silvaking77]

Thanks for your help, Reiki Pixie (do love the name!)
I like the idea of the 3 overlapping lines - that's a broad sweep of spine to work on and if it includes part of the bladder reflex that's all to the good, as you say. So no hard and fast rules!

Best wishes,
Always Trying
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