Thai foot massage V reflexology??

Hi Kelly

Welcome to HP 🙂

If you are getting enquiries about reflexology, you like working the feet and get good responses, then progressing into reflexology would be the logical step forward (if you pardon the pun).

As someone that has trained in both techniques, I would say that there is pros and cons in both methods.

1) Western training in reflexology is more indepth theory and treatment ideas, but has the tendency (depending of the school of thought) of using the same repetitive thumb technique, which can cause repetitve strain to the thumb. Aslo it is very fixed on working the feet & ankles, and doesn't usually cover the lower leg.

2) Thai foot training has more comprehensive palpation/massage techniques (as I was taught in Thailand, can't speak for UK training courses) but lacks the understanding of how and why to treat.

For me being trained in both systems, I have the knowledge (Reflex) and the skill (Thai), and prefer to blend the two together. West meets East - East meets West - for the best of both worlds!

Best Wishes

RP

I would say they are pretty similar - they are both based on the same root - the belief that the macrocosm (the whole body) can be viewed on the microcosm (the two feet). The idea of mapping the body and internal organs on to the feet probably comes from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) who also do the similar mappings on the ears and the hands.

I guess that the main difference is the techniques used - with the Reflexologist often doing a kind of thumb caterpillar crawl, and Thais often opting for the dreaded stick. There are certain ways that the Thais use their knuckles to apply pressure that are absolutely genius, (as they do in full body Thai Massage) these techniques alone make the training worthwhile (think of your fingers and thumbs!)

And, of course the more kinds of foot massage you train in, the wider your grasp of the subject will be. And the better you will be at helping your clients.

Hi all!

I have trained in thai foot massage, which incorporates reflexology, and have found it extremely beneficial to my clients. However, I do have enquiries from prospective clients for reflexology and wondered if it is worth training in this therapy also? Would I be wasting my time as I am already qualified in thai massage? would training in reflexology just be the same as thai foot massage?

Thanks

Kelly

Massage is just a rubbing skin and work over muscles without specific aim except to release tension in muscle, increase blood supply etc
Foot reflexology - specific treatment and specific zones for a specific condition (including understanding How to choose depth of massage for specific reflex zones etc)
So, it will be not a waste of time for you to learn and study (very shocked from this your approach).

I would say they are pretty similar - they are both based on the same root - the belief that the macrocosm (the whole body) can be viewed on the microcosm (the two feet). The idea of mapping the body and internal organs on to the feet probably comes from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) who also do the similar mappings on the ears and the hands.

I guess that the main difference is the techniques used - with the Reflexologist often doing a kind of thumb caterpillar crawl, and Thais often opting for the dreaded stick. There are certain ways that the Thais use their knuckles to apply pressure that are absolutely genius, (as they do in full body Thai Massage) these techniques alone make the training worthwhile (think of your fingers and thumbs!)

And, of course the more kinds of foot massage you train in, the wider your grasp of the subject will be. And the better you will be at helping your clients.

Very good advice and understanding.
Small correction: idea of mapping came from ‘before TCM was organise as a medicine’. The main idea was systemised and explained by I Ching who is a la creator of TCM .... (further I will not explanation to not disappoint some people)