In this class, students will learn the basic techniques of foot reflexology through the Four Theory approach. The whole-hand technique that is taught makes it a gentle practice on both practitioner and client. This technique can be applied as a complete treatment or as a palliative enhancement for massage therapists and other health care providers.
Introduction to Integrative Reflexology® requires one textbook, Integrative Reflexology®: Theory and Practice, which is recommended to be purchased prior to any Footbridge Reflexology class.
The Four Theories include:
Zone Theory
Meridian Theory
Psychoneuroimmunology Theory
Instructor: Amy Petersen
Class Format: In-person, with lecture and hands-on instruction. Next Level 1 class will be held Saturday, February 22 & Sunday, February 23 in Ames, Iowa. Register early and receive a $50 discount. Total cost will be $350.
In this class you will learn:
- An Integrative Reflexology® approach to seeing the body in a whole way
- Factors that contribute to health and balance for yourself and your clients
- Cautions and contraindications for reflexology
- Proper body alignment and structural alignment exercises
- Anatomy of the lower leg and foot, as they pertain to reflexology
- Identification and manipulation of specific reflex points
Class includes:
- 16 continuing education (CE) instructional credit hours
- 8 hours are lecture/instructional
- 8 hours are applied/hands-on
- Students seeking to practice as qualified reflexologists may complete additional practicum sessions for additional credit. Please contact The Footbridge if you wish to explore this option.
Note: For all classes with The Footbridge, students are expected to purchase Integrative Reflexology™ Theory and Practice© – Level 1 by Claire Marie Miller, which should be brought along to class.
In this class, students will learn techniques and protocols for clients that have specific challenges associated with: hospice care, autoimmune disorders, neuropathy, and lymphatic system drainage. These clients may present with a broad range of symptoms. Full-body massage often cannot be tolerated or is not the preferred approach for interaction with these compromised populations. Reflexology can offer the benefits of full-body techniques while respecting the client’s tolerance or need for minimal touch protocols. It is also a strong complimentary modality to medical procedures and prescriptions that can be applied to support clients as they seek solutions with their medical practitioners.
The HANL Level builds on the techniques taught in Level I. Specific protocols for each HANL topic are taught. The Psychoneuroimmunological Theory is the focus of this reflexology coursework.
Instructor: Amy Petersen
Class Format: In-person, with lecture and hands-on instruction. This class is not offered in 2024.
In this class you will learn:
- Review basic anatomy as it applies to each of the HANL protocols
- Techniques specific to each HANL protocol
- Contra-indications for care of HANL clients
- Research supporting use of reflexology for HANL populations
- Understanding the ethics of complimentary care
- Responsibility and guidelines for participation within the medical community
Class includes:
- 16 continuing education (CE) instructional credit hours
- 8 hours are lecture/instructional
- 8 hours are applied/hands-on
- Students seeking to practice as qualified reflexologists may complete additional practicum sessions for additional credit. Please contact The Footbridge if you wish to explore this option.
Note: For all classes with The Footbridge, students are expected to purchase Integrative Reflexology™ Theory and Practice© – Level 1 by Claire Marie Miller, which should be brought along to class.
In this class, students will learn the techniques and protocols for clients that have specific challenges associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. It is also a class to bring your specific questions concerning previously covered material involving current and past clients. These clients may present a broad range of symptoms.
Often full body massage cannot be tolerated or is not the preferred approach for interaction with these clients. Reflexology can offer the benefits of full-body techniques while respecting the client’s tolerance or need for minimal touch protocols. It is also a strong complimentary modality to medical procedures and prescriptions that can be applied to support clients as they seek solutions with their medical practitioners. PTSD + Anxiety Reflexology builds on the techniques taught in other certification levels, reviews questions specific to previously taught protocols, and introduces the session work for PTSD. The Psychoneuroimmunological Theory and Meridian Theory are the focus of these reflexology class sessions.
Instructor: Amy Petersen
Class Format: In-person, with lecture and hands-on instruction. This class is not offered in 2024.
In this class you will learn:
- Review basic anatomy as it applies to PTSD + Anxiety Reflexology protocols
- Techniques specific to PTSD + Anxiety Reflexology protocol
- Contra-indications for care of PTSD + Anxiety Reflexology clients
- Research supporting the use of Reflexology for PTSD + Anxiety Reflexology populations
- Responsibilities and guidelines for participation within the mental health community
Class includes:
- 16 continuing education (CE) instructional credit hours
- 8 hours are lecture/instructional
- 8 hours are applied/hands-on
- Students seeking to practice as qualified reflexologists may complete additional practicum sessions for additional credit. Please contact The Footbridge if you wish to explore this option.
Note: For all classes with The Footbridge, students are expected to purchase Integrative Reflexology™ Theory and Practice© – Level 1 by Claire Marie Miller, which should be brought along to class.
In this class, students will learn the basic history, research, techniques and applications of hand reflexology through the Four Theory approach. The whole-hand techniques that are taught makes it a gentle practice on both practitioner and client. These techniques and applications can be approached as a complete treatment plan or as a palliative enhancement for massage therapists and other health care providers.
Instructor: Amy Petersen
Class Format: In-person, with lecture and hands-on instruction. This class is not offered in 2024.
In this class you will learn:
- An integrative approach to seeing the body through the hands
- Factors that contribute to health and balance through the hands of your clients
- Cautions and contraindications for hand reflexology
- Anatomy of the hands and lower arms, as they pertain to hand reflexology
- Identification and manipulation of specific reflexology points on the hands
- Identification and manipulation of specific meridian points on the hands
- Psycho-neural considerations of hand reflexology
Class includes:
- 16 continuing education (CE) instructional credit hours
- 8 hours are lecture/instructional
- 8 hours are applied/hands-on
- Student seeking to practice as qualified reflexologists may complete additional practicum sessions for additional credit. Please contact The Footbridge if you wish to explore this option.
Note: For all classes with The Footbridge, students are expected to purchase Integrative Reflexology™ Theory and Practice© – Level 1 by Claire Marie Miller, which should be brought along to class.
In this class, students learn the foundational history, research, techniques, and applications of reflexology meridians. Based on Claire Marie Miller’s Integrative Reflexology™ four-theory approach to reflexology meridian points, this whole- hand technique is specific and gentle for both the practitioner and the client. These foot and hand meridian techniques can be utilized as a complete reflexology meridian session or as a palliative, or therapeutic, enhancement for massage therapists and other health care providers. This course is intended to inform and educate practitioners in understanding meridian points specific to reflexology and not as a substitute for more comprehensive acupressure course work.
Instructor: Amy Petersen
Class Format: In-person, with lecture and hands-on instruction. This class is not offered in 2024.
- Review basic anatomy and physiology as it applies to each meridian point
- Techniques specific to each meridian point
- Techniques specific to each meridian protocol
- Contra-indications for each meridian point
- Research supporting the implementation of meridian points in reflexology
- Understanding the ethics and scope of practice for reflexology meridian point sessions
- Responsibilities and guidelines for referrals to and participation with the medical community
Class includes:
- 16 continuing education (CE) instructional credit hours
- 8 hours are lecture/instructional
- 8 hours are applied/hands-on
- Students seeking to practice as qualified reflexologists may complete additional practicum sessions for additional credit. Please contact The Footbridge if you wish to explore this option.
Note: For all classes with The Footbridge, students are expected to purchase Integrative Reflexology™ Theory and Practice© – Level 1 by Claire Marie Miller, which should be brought along to class.
In this class, students will learn specific assessments, techniques and protocols for clients that exhibit symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Stemming from a variety of underlying health concerns, reflexology is a strong partner and often the most consistent supportive modality for both acute and chronic foot discomfort and pain. The class utilizes the whole hand techniques and curriculum taught in the Level 1 class and builds on that foundation for enhanced care for these specific populations of clients. Structure of the feet and lower legs is emphasized. Students are required to either take a Level 1 Introduction to Reflexology or submit a Certificate of no less than 16 hours of reflexology education from another school.
Instructor: Amy Petersen
Class Format: In-person, with lecture and hands-on instruction
In this class you will learn:
- Assessments specific to determining the more probable sources for foot discomfort
- Anatomy as it applies to plantar fasciitis difficulties
- Techniques for specific areas of discomfort and pain
- Contra-indications for care by a reflexologist
- Medical model vs. reflexology: similarities and differences in care protocols
- Client homework essentials
Class includes:
- 16 continuing education (CE) instructional credit hours
- 8 hours are lecture/instructional
- 8 hours are applied/hands-on
- Students seeking to practice as qualified reflexologists may complete additional practicum sessions for additional credit. Please contact The Footbridge if you wish to explore this option.
Note: For all classes with The Footbridge, students are expected to purchase Integrative Reflexology™ Theory and Practice© – Level 1 by Claire Marie Miller, which should be brought along to class.
NOTE: This course is only offered through massage educational providers. Please contact The Footbridge if you wish to add this course to your class offerings.
This course is an introductory survey to Reflexology for massage professional interested in the Complementary and Alternative Modality of Reflexology. Using an overview of classic data, current techniques, and research, reflexology is presented as both a complementary therapy and a palliative therapy for a range of health conditions. The course covers basic anatomy and physiology as it relates to reflexology, as well as primary therapeutic points on the feet, introduction to treatment techniques from selected specialists and basic introduction to application of manual reflexology palpation. This class is considered an instruction class (not a certification class) and an introduction to the benefits of incorporating reflexology techniques into an existing LMT practice.
In this class you will learn:
- History of reflexology practices around the world
- The evolution of reflexology techniques and protocols
- What is classic Ingham method reflexology
- Overview of selected reflexology techniques from around the world
- Introduction of basic reflexology zones and foot maps
- Introductory palpation practice
- How massage and reflexology differ
- How to incorporate massage and reflexology
Class includes:
- 16 continuing education (CE) instructional credit hours
- Students seeking to practice reflexology or add reflexology to their theraputic offerings may inquire with The Footbridge about taking additional coursework to become a qualified reflexology practicioner.
Once she has settled in to the knowledge that new life has come to her, she often takes a deep breath and wonders, “What next?” That is where my services become important. I am there to help ease the physical, emotional, and psychological roller coaster ride that she will be experiencing for the next several months.
If she has morning sickness in her first 14 weeks, I can help. In an optimal situation, I would see my client once every one to two weeks, depending on the intensity of her symptoms. After two to four treatments, as the symptoms subside, she can reduce her appointments to one per month through her 26th week.
As the pregnancy progresses and her body begins to make more adjustments for the coming birth, I encourage my client to come every two weeks during weeks 27 to 34. Moving into weeks 35 to 40, I try to schedule her once a week for her final six weeks, letting she and the baby relax during those final days prior to delivery.
From time to time, new mothers share very private concerns with me about their own health, the health of the fetus, and their concerns about giving birth and parenting. These are times for reflection and reassurance. Pregnancy, delivery, and those first nervous months of mothering are all part of a common bond that so many women share, but we each make the journey in our own way, in an experience that is both familiar and unique.
Reflexology is one of the most comforting therapies I know of for a woman transitioning through pregnancy. The tired back, the sore feet, along with the many other changes, are eased and supported as a pregnancy makes way for a life.
Integrative Reflexology treatments can offer specific help for: morning sickness, retaining fluids, hormone fluctuations, emotional swings, low back discomfort, pelvic structure changes, muscle relaxation, anxiety, bladder pressure, and post-partum rebalancing. A woman should always consult her physician for any serious concerns she has regarding her pregnancy, but for sheer body comfort and transitional support, Integrative Reflexology is a helpful, nurturing therapy.
]]>Much of my Integrative Reflexology practice consists of clients who come to me with a specific concern that can be addressed in an anticipated protocol. A few of my clients are simply satisfied to enjoy the relaxing and regenerating techniques offered in a reflexology spa session. But the most consistent group of clients I work with are those who experience chronic health issues. This group rarely “no- shows” for office appointments. When traveling, they typically schedule treatments both before and after their upcoming travel. They often call me from the hospital when they are recovering from a procedure. They aim to minimize the side effects of new medications or dosage changes. And they refer their friends to me.
I practice Integrative Reflexology as a complementary therapy. This means I don’t encourage people to use reflexology, or any other modality, as a replacement for the care of a board-certified physician and the diagnostic tools that are available from the medical community. I believe correct diagnosis is a logical and beneficial place to begin to understand how to manage one’s own healthcare. What I have also come to appreciate is the necessary and comforting role that palliative therapies may play.
There is an ongoing, controversial discussion concerning the impact of palliative therapies and their usefulness in alleviating the symptoms of illness, disease, disorder, and the side effects of pharmaceutical therapies. If my clients are unaware of this conversation, I strive to educate them before they begin treatments with me. If they come to me with a chronic disease, I am careful to explain that reflexology will not relieve them of their disease. If they come to me with a disorder, I refer them to the research that is available concerning reflexology treatments and the effects on specific disorders. If they come to me with an illness, we discuss whether or not reflexology is an appropriate therapy to help alleviate their symptoms.
Integrative reflexology is a tried and tested complementary therapy for helping someone with a health issue to ease their mental, physical and emotional condition. In specific circumstances, it can also reduce or relieve symptoms that may otherwise become as debilitating as the disease itself.
If you are considering reflexology as therapy for a chronic disease or disorder, please discuss your therapy options with a certified reflexologist who has at least 300 hours of training and five years of experience. Also, remember that the efficacy of reflexology is enhanced by consistent and timely treatment sessions. And lastly, consider making the choice to educate yourself about the importance of Complementary and Alternative (CAM) therapies as a low-cost, preventative measure in maintaining your current health.
Contact Amy Petersen for more information about CAM therapy
]]>Acute sustained stress erodes the very fabric of our being, while acute trauma can tear it. Whether prolonged or sudden, traumatic life experiences wound a person in body, emotions, mind, and soul, and can result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that affects more than 5.2 million Americans every year. Compassionate bodywork, including reflexology, can help heal the body and the person.
Everyday life can create sustained stress. An unstable economy can affect our ability to provide necessities, such as clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. Physical stress (inadequate nutrition, pollution, sleep, and so forth), emotional stress (how one feels about what is happening), and mental stress affect all aspects of our lives. Daily, sustained stress undeniably disrupts physiological and energetic processes at the cellular level, creating stress patterns that have devastating short- and long-term effects.
The primary difference between a person experiencing the everyday stresses of living and one experiencing PTSD is that the person suffering from PTSD has been exposed to extreme trauma…
Read the full article in Massage and Bodywork Magazine, the March/April 2013 issue.
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