Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1060121
READER FORUM REGARDING REFLEXOLOGY In response to the recent refl exology article "Body & Soul" [November/ December 2018, page 56], the three national refl exology organizations would like to take this opportunity to educate and raise awareness about the organizations, their respective purposes, and refl exology as a standalone, specialized profession. REFLEXOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (RAA) RA A, founded in 1995, is a membership association open to refl exologists, refl exology schools, and to those outside the fi eld who wish to support refl exology. RA A's primary goals include but are not limited to: • Advancing its members' interests and acting as a national referral board for its members • Sponsoring a biennial conference • Encouraging the establishment and development of state refl exology associations that complement the purposes and goals stated herein and invite affi liation • Educating the public on refl exology and its benefi ts AMERICAN REFLEXOLOGY CERTIFICATION BOARD (ARCB) In order to be a profession, every fi eld needs a body of certifi ed practitioners. ARCB was established in 1991 as a national testing agency. In maintaining its independence, ARCB is not affi liated with any school, instructor, business, or association. Its primary aim is to protect the public by certifying the competency of trained refl exology practitioners through a comprehensive examination process. A second objective is to aid the public in locating ARCB-certifi ed practitioners in their area through a national referral directory found on their website. NATIONAL COUNCIL OF REFLEXOLOGY EDUCATORS (NCRE) NCRE emerged in 2016 with the intention of supporting the needs of refl exology educators. NCRE's mission is to meet the diverse needs of the refl exology educational community by bridging the gap between the individual's desire to teach By Marc Zollicoff er REFLEXOLOGY FOR THE FEET BODY & Se The feet are my favorite part of the body to work on. In massage school, the foot refl exology class carried my biggest "aha" moment and I knew I would massage the feet of every client I touched from that day forward. The fi rst person I worked on after graduating was the owner of a destination spa during a job interview. During that treatment, he said in his European accent, "I like what you're doing on the feet; do some more." I knew I had the job. Twenty-seven years later, I still love massaging feet and refl exology is the foundation of that aspect of my work. Here, I off er a brief overview of this technique I love, and share my favorite refl ex points to address with clients during a massage. Yo u r M & B i s w o r t h 2 C E s ! G o t o w w w. a b m p . c o m / c e t o l e a r n m o r e . 57 Let us know your thoughts about the magazine! Email editor@abmp.com. and evolving standards, and to give a voice to experienced teachers and those who provide instructional aids. Refl exology as defi ned by RA A, ARCB, and NCRE: • Refl exology is a protocol of manual techniques, such as thumb and fi nger walking, hook and backup, and rotating on a point, applied to specifi c areas predominantly on the feet and hands. These techniques stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems supporting the body's efforts to function optimally. • Refl exology is a specialized discipline utilizing specifi c techniques that vary from massage • National certifi cation includes a written and practical examination, along with submission of documentation • Refl exology is exempt from massage in 32 states DEBORAH HITT PRESIDENT, REFLEXOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA WWW.REFLEXOLOGY-USA.ORG MICHAEL RAINONE PRESIDENT, AMERICAN REFLEXOLOGY CERTIFICATION BOARD WWW.ARCB.NET BRENDA MAKOWSKY PRESIDENT, NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR REFLEXOLOGY EDUCATORS WWW.REFLEXEDU.ORG 12 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 9