Reflexology Techniques

1
Reflexology Techniques

• Part 4 of the Reflexology Presentations

2
Basic Techniques

• Reflexology consists of many techniques and
  movements. Within this section we are going to
  see a variety of Basic movements and some
  advanced movements.
• The first movement we are going to see is called
  Effleurage, this movement is a stroking
  movement used to apply the oil and begin to warm
  the foot and relax the client. Effleurage is used
  within the treatment many times, usually at the
  beginning and at the end of the treatment.

3
Basic Techniques

• Another basic movement we can see is called
  Thumb walking also known as Caterpillar Walk.
  We use this movement for the majority of the
  actual treatment, when we are actually
  manipulating all the body areas.
• The movement can be carried out by imagining you
  are watching a caterpillar crawling and you
  imagine your thumb to be the caterpillar crawling
  over the foot. This movement often needs practice
  as it is not a movement we familiar with to begin
  with.

4
Basic Techniques

• One other basic technique used within the
  treatment is Friction circles.This movement is
  carried out by the use of the finger tips,
  applying a small circular movement on the top of
  the foot and using the thumbs on the soles of the
  feet.
• The movement is usually used at the beginning of
  the treatment in the warm up stage, whereby we
  are beginning to warm the area and relax the
  client and can be used in the final stage of the
  treatment.

5
Advanced Techniques

• One of the advanced techniques we can use is
  called Spinal Twist.
• This movement can be used at various stages of
  the treatment. It can be used within the warm
  stage and final stage, but can also be used when
  working on the spine area.
• The action is as wringing a cloth, the hands are
  placed down the spine on the foot and a wringing
  action is carried out. This movement can be used
  if work on the back area is required.

6
Advanced Techniques

• Another advanced technique that we use is called
  the Lung Press. This movement again can be used
  in various stages of the treatment. It is a nice
  movement to use at the beginning along with deep
  breathing and also at the final stage of the
  treatment It could be repeated up to three times.
• The movement is carried out by placing the fist
  over the lung area and gently easing the foot
  towards the client and then back. Whilst the
  foot is being eased towards the clients the
  client can inhale and then exhale on the return
  of the movement.

7
Advanced Techniques

• The last of the advanced techniques we are
  looking at is Hook and back up. This movement
  is carried out during the actual treatment.
• It is used when you are locating a deep or a
  small reflex area or point.
• It is carried out by using the thumb applying
  pressure on the area then pulling the thumb back
  and across the reflex point pushing back in and
  back up.

8

• Is effleurage used in the warm up stage?
• a) No b) Yes
• Thumb walking is used on the spine area?
• a) True b) False
• Friction circles is a basic technique?
• a) No b) Yes
• Is spinal twist an advanced technique?
• a) No b) Yes
• Hook and back up is used on small reflex areas?
• a) No b) Yes
• Answers can be found in section 7.