New clients are often interested in what their progression will be when they incorporate a complementary and alternative (CAM) therapy, like reflexology, into their personal health routine. With that interest often comes a mixed understanding of how to schedule reflexology sessions to the client’s optimum benefit.
After 11 years as a reflexology practitioner, I have developed a protocol to help both my clients and myself feel confident that reflexology offers them the right help at the right time – and for the right reasons. With so many healthcare options available, it is reassuring for my clients when they feel that reflexology will make a positive change in their health. If this change is not seen within a modest number of treatments, they are assured that I will refer them on to a doctor or therapy that I feel will be more beneficial to them.
Adhering closely to the International standard, I recommend a primary and secondary series of treatments over six weeks for all new clients. The primary series includes four sessions in the first two weeks. The secondary series includes four additional sessions, one per week, for the next four weeks.
A small number of clients will have noticeable, sustained changes in their health circumstances within during the primary reflexology sessions. More often, clients report feeling relaxed, sleeping better and a general feeling of well-being that lasts for 24-48 hours after the first several sessions. But the body’s ability to sustain therapeutic levels of change usually require six to eight sessions to become apparent. It is secondary series of treatments where more noticeable changes typically take place.
By the end of the first six weeks, both the client and I have a sense of how reflexology therapy may be most helpful to them. We discuss how they may continue given their healthcare needs and their scheduling flexibility. A client who has more complex health issues may find it useful to schedule another six to eight treatments over several months.
Maintenance is an important part of follow-through when using reflexology as a CAM therapy. Whether a client’s health concerns are related to genetics, stress or lifestyle, the importance of maintenance follow-through cannot be overstated. If a client finds that reflexology brings positive changes to his or her healthcare routine, regular treatments scheduled four to six weeks apart can help to alleviate or slow the progression of many health issues. Reflexology is a proactive health therapy – by itself or in combination with other treatments.
Contact Amy Petersen for more information about CAM therapy