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APPLICATIONS OF HAND REFLEXOLOGY BENEFITS & PROTOCOL By Meade Steadman Massage therapists who perform foot reflexology, most likely also offer hand reflexology. The reasons for choosing to do reflexology on the hands rather than on the feet can be varied, but are most often based on the client's preferences, medical conditions, and comfort with touch. Reasons you may choose to work on the hands instead of the feet include: • It is easier—shoes don't have to be removed and clients can wash their hands. • The client's feet are overly dry or contain open wounds. • The client is diabetic and has little or no feeling in the feet, or another pathology exists. • The client is older and has paper-thin skin on the feet that can tear easily. • The client has an aversion to having his or her feet touched. Do not assume that hand reflexology is always often with massage, to help relax the client and improve the circulation and flexibility in the hand; a full-body reflexology technique over all the zones of the hand; reflexology for specific issues expressed by the client; and finally a warm down to leave the client relaxed and allow the procedure to be its most effective. Your process should always include a warm up, Do Hand Reflexology? Not necessarily. As with most therapists, I was trained in a specific technique, where the body regions and systems were clearly mapped out and the pressure and movements to use were very clearly delineated. What I have found, both teaching and practicing Is There One Correct Way to reflexology, is that a little creativity and a strong connection with the client's emotional state goes a long way in helping develop the right technique for me. You will likely find it is the same for you. a necessary alternative to foot reflexology because of problems with the foot. There are other major benefits to doing hand reflexology, including the fact that the therapist often is working eye to eye with the client, creating a connection beyond touch alone. Hand reflexology can be a prelude to foot reflexology or even to other types of therapeutic massage. Preparation and Technique Doing reflexology on the hands requires at least as much care as it does on the feet. Proper preparation includes a medical history and a clear understanding of any problems clients currently have with their hands, such as arthritis, recent surgeries, broken bones, or circulatory problems. Proper technique is essential to effectiveness Do Not Diagnose Finally, it is extremely important to protect your client and yourself by remembering where you fit into your client's overall health picture. While zones of the hands do correspond to parts of the body, remember that, as a massage therapist, it is not your place to diagnose. Finding a knot or tightness or any other abnormality in a particular zone of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is a problem with the corresponding organ or system of the body; it might just be a problem with the hand. Resist the urge to tell the client that you have found something that suggests there is a problem with his or her stomach or liver, for instance; you will only cause undue stress and in some states, you might be breaking the law. Remember, above all, we are here to help people and to protecting both the client and the massage therapist from unnecessary discomfort or fatigue. The primary concerns of the therapist when preparing to perform hand reflexology safely and comfortably are: • Proper positioning on a chair, stool, standing, or squatting on the floor (if this is comfortable for you). • Correct body posture, including neutral spine position. • A relaxed, calm, yet assertive disposition. • Clean hands, short nails, and properly moisturized skin to avoid damaging the client's skin, as well as your own. and make them feel better, not to worry them with problems they may or may not have. and instructor for the Myotherapy College of Utah and the Myotherapy Institute of Massage. He has a full-time practice, teaches continuing education workshops, and has produced 14 educational DVDs through Aesthetic VideoSource. If you would like to learn more about reflexology techniques, Comprehensive Reflexology & Massage: The Hand and Comprehensive Reflexology & Massage: The Foot are award-winning DVDs available at www.videoshelf.com or by calling 800-414-2434. Meade Steadman is a licensed massage therapist 50 massage & bodywork july/august 2011