Blog Layout

What is Reflexology?

October 24, 2024

Reflexology is one of the most popular treatment methods for natural healing within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Before your reflexology appointment, a health evaluation and consultation will be carried out to identify your health needs and concerns for treatment.

It is very common for clients to be treated with a foot massage. However, although this treatment option can be effective, it can also be limited. The reflexology approach that is often used for the foot massage can also be applied to the rest of the body. The basic theory behind the treatment is the Hologram theory, which treats the body as an interconnected system.

The treatment approach to reflexology that works best for you will be determined by your health consultation. Practitioners use different techniques and areas of the body for reflexology to balance chronic physical, emotional and mental concerns. Although foot reflexology has become popularised, the ear, face, head, spinal column, back, abdominal area, hands, and feet all have reflecting points to massage and stimulate, and thus can be treated with this approach.

Reflexology is a concept based on energy flow. Different units of the body are connected to different pressure points. When these points are targeted and massaged, they can assist in helping the balance of qi within that area. Through reflexology, blockages in qi can be targeted and prevented, and this can help in relieving stress or discomfort.

Example: Treating a Tight Calf

For example, if a client came in with a tight calf, practitioners will work with the calf to bring the energy flow to the local area, however the qi flows from other areas of the body. Therefore, massaging and stimulating other parts of the body, and specific pressure points, can help to move energy to the local area that requires treatment. This is a natural holistic method which uses the interdependent body network to treat concerns and prevent long-term issues.

Regions of the body have certain charts and maps which practitioners follow to optimise the benefits of the treatment. These charts can be found on the internet, however clients often ask which chart they should follow. Although these images can be useful in understanding your treatment, as well as the interconnectedness of your own body, it is also important to keep in mind that your body isn’t just a 2D model of a body, but instead a complex 3D system in which your angles and sides should be considered.

Starting Your Reflexology Journey

Although this treatment can be effectively carried out by our practitioners, clients can often become confused by what points of the body should be targeted. So, some clients, to avoid confusion, like to start with a point that is fairly approachable, and then work from there. Many clients like to choose reflexology on the feet as the first step as it is fairly comfortable and convenient.

There are many methods which practitioners can use to individualise treatment and provide the best service for clients.

For more information contact us or call us at 02 6282 8898

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Understanding Pain: A Holistic Approach to Managing Chronic and Everyday Discomfort

March 26, 2025

Pain is a natural part of life and a common experience for many people. It often serves as a signal from your body, indicating that something needs attention. This signal may come in various forms—changes in temperature , blood pressure , breathing patterns , or physical discomfort. While pain can be unpleasant, it can also be useful in helping you understand your body better and take proactive steps toward healing. These changes within your body that can be observed through the feeling of pain, can help you to become aware of what is happening with your body, so that you have the opportunity to take notice of your symptoms, and seek help. This means that pain can assist you in making you feel more open and connected in understanding how your body and mind are feeling and changing over time. This is the philosophical level to explaining pain, which can hopefully provide you with a grounding feeling, and less of a hopeless feeling, as you can understand that your body is presenting these symptoms for a reason.

What is Moxibustion?

March 3, 2025

Moxibustion, or Moxa, is one of the traditional therapies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This therapy has existed even longer than acupuncture, as the needle for acupuncture needed to be developed . Moxa works by applying a specific herbal remedy with heat to target certain points in the body for different therapeutic functions. It is not just the heat itself that makes this treatment effective, but rather it is how Yin and Yang and the energy force are worked through selected points, encouraging the qi to further circulate in the body, relieving tension, and removing specific symptoms of illness or discomfort. This treatment is also beneficial as the warming sensation is essential for comforting and improving cold, weak, or chronic conditions, as well as enhancing qi or yang deficiency patterns in patients by moving the energy through the body’s 12 meridians . This therapy also focuses on the prevention of diseases and the maintenance of overall health and well-being.

Herbal and Food Combined Therapy

November 18, 2024

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a combination of good foods and Chinese herbs is essential for overall health and wellbeing. A small amount of traditional herbs can be eaten daily alongside a healthy diet, for additional nutritional support and for maintaining balance, and good health. This is known as food therapy and medical diet therapy in TCM, and this helps to balance the Yin and Yang through a combination of nutrition and exercise. Traditional Chinese herbs are an edible type of medicine that have been used in TCM for many years. The herbs are used for healing, and for providing many health benefits. Herbs often have a bitter taste, putting off some people from trying this simple way to improve your lifestyle. A core feature of TCM is the belief that a combination of the five flavours in our diet supports our vital organs and overall health, which are Sweet, Salty, Spicy/Pungent, Bitter, and Sour . So, herbs can often be eaten in combination with special fruits, nuts, and seeds to make for a more pleasant, and slightly sweet taste. This can also help you to gain additional nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This combination of food and traditional Chinese herbs is a remedy that can support your immune system and vital functions. These small portions of combined seeds, fruit, and Chinese herbs, can be eaten daily and through a variety of methods. It is common for these to be eaten in bread, porridge, or through forms of steaming.