Reflexology

Background

After finishing with yoga and pilates, we had our first experience with reflexology. Reflexology involves manipulation and massage of the hands and feet in order to reduce stress, combat certain illnesses, and improve organ function. As you can see from the diagram above, different spots on the foot are said to correspond to different parts of the body. Practitioners of reflexology view the foot as a 'mirror' for the rest of the body. For example, when the practitioner presses on a certain part of the foot said to correspond to the liver, it is supposed to stimulate the production of bile and detoxify the blood. It is also believed that reflexology improves circulation, balances the system, and revitalizes energy, and is therefore often uses as preventative health care. Reflexology is also supposed to produce a calming effect, which is why some practitioners add in relaxation techniques such as a foot soak in hot water.

Our Experience

For our reflexology treatment, we went to J.F. Foot Spa in Millbrae on Tuesday. The spa offers services in reflexology and various types of specialized massages.

When we arrived, the two practitioners, one male and one female, immediately led us from the empty lobby to a private room, where we sat side-by-side in two lounge chairs with blankets on our lap and our feet soaked in near boiling water. Without any explanation, they left us alone and told us to relax. Little did we know, there was no way we could relax ourselves enough for what was about to occur.

When the practitioners came back, they assured us that the treatment wouldn't be much different from a pedicure. They told us not to be scared, that they knew what they were doing. I don't doubt that they did in fact know what they were doing, we just didn't expect the pain that came along with their expertise. To start, they rubbed each one of our 10 toes, and we understood the pedicure reference. Moments later, each toe was revisited, and not left alone until the fatal sound of a cracked toe could be heard. Ouch. As we winced in pain, the practitioners looked up and saw the horror on our faces. Rather than trying to console us, they smiled and continued.

They began to apply pressure throughout our feet. Sounds like it'd be a pleasure, but really, it was torture. With their magic fingers, they managed to find the most sensitive areas of our feet. However, they pushed so hard that we were flinching in pain. Our reflexes told us to pull our legs away and kick, but we knew we had to maintain composure and endure the endless amounts of pain. The male practitioner asked how we were doing, and when we responded with "it's a little painful", he so kindly assured us that it was "good pain". It wasn't good pain at all. For the entire hour long session, we constantly clenched our fists, dug our fingers into our seats, and squeezed our eyes shut, but the pain would not subside. For an hour, our feet were poked, prodded, rubbed, and beaten to death. When they had finished, there was no comfort in knowing that we were already half way done, because that meant we had to go through the pain all over again.

Regardless, we went back today for round two, hoping this treatment would be better. It was less shocking because we knew what was coming, but still excruciating. The practitioners told us we would be "lighter on our feet", and maybe we will be. But in the future, we'd rather sacrifice a little heavy footedness in order to spare ourselves the agony. In the final post, we will discuss our beliefs on the effectiveness of this practice, as well as yoga, acupuncture, and herbal treatments.

Comfortably awaiting our reflexology treatment... How misleading this foot soak was.