As a copywriter and editor, I specialise in natural health and wellbeing. I’ve written about this subject for nearly 15 years now and have tried almost every complementary therapy you can think of. So, for today’s blog post, I thought I’d write about my favourite complementarity therapy: reflexology. It’s one of the more conventional therapies I’ve tried but it’s one that I’ve got the best results from.
The most unusual reflexology treatment I had was when I was travelling in Thailand and I was basically tickled to within an inch of my life. But more about that in a bit.
What’s it all about?
Here’s a quick overview before I go into my experiences:
Generally, most reflexologists use their thumbs and fingers to apply pressure to the various reflex points on the soles of the feet, which correspond to different parts of the body. Some practitioners believe that stimulating the various reflex points on the feet encourages a better flow of energy along the meridians, or energy channels, which run between the reflex points and the various organs in the body. This helps to bring balance to the body and promotes self-healing.
I’ve had reflexology numerous times but the best and worst experiences were when I was in Thailand.
A wonderful experience
The best: a very sweet, humble guy gave me a wonderful reflexology massage in his tiny treatment room in Bangkok, whereby my feet were washed, soaked in herbs and then massaged for an hour. This blissful experience was only slightly marred by the fact that he had to keep shooing out his cat who kept leaping onto the treatment couch. I left in a blissed-out haze, went for a lie down in my hostel and slept for 12 hours straight. I’ve never felt so refreshed.
Therapy or tickling?
The worst: during a stay at a fancy spa in Phuket I decided to treat myself to a reflexology massage. Now, I know that some practitioners in Thailand use sticks rather than their thumbs and fingers in order to give a very firm massage. This particular therapist, however, used what felt like a lolly stick and proceeded to torment me for a full hour by teasing and tickling my feet in the most merciless fashion. The language barrier proved to be slightly problematic as I tried to ask for firmer pressure, in between squeaks of discomfort. I left feeling mildly traumatised.
Personally, I think reflexology is extremely effective for helping to ease stress and can really help with insomnia. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve fallen asleep, complete with twitching and drooling, whilst on a treatment couch.
It’s one of my favourite therapies. How about you? What have been your experiences?