Meaning of ticklish feet?

Hi Redribbon,

. Does anyone out there have thoughts on what ticklish feet mean, based on the language of feet?

Over the years I have come across quite a few people who have had very ticklish feet. I feel that it tends to be used by the person as a defense mechanism and is often their way of discouraging physical contact for whatever reason.

A very firm touch and getting them to change their focus away from the ticklish sensations to concentrating on their breath usually shows them that it can be prevented.

It can be the same with massage and can usually be dealt with in the same way.

Hi Gaiaholistix
Thanks for that. Sounds very likely - he definitely is defensive particularly hating the 'label' he now has of being clinically depressed. The last two treatments have been interesting because as he learns to trust me, he's less ticklish. We do lots of breathing and solar plexus work at the beginning and end of each treatment and he now seems able to relax.
Thanks for your input - much appreciated
RedRibbon

Hi Redribbon,

That sounds good 🙂 It is very rewarding when you can build up a rapport with the receiver.

Yes the danger with a "label" is that the receiver can take on the traits or persona of it if they are not careful.

He just needs to accept himself and focus on stopping judging himself and just allow himself to be.

Hi Redribbon,

Over the years I have come across quite a few people who have had very ticklish feet. I feel that it tends to be used by the person as a defense mechanism and is often their way of discouraging physical contact for whatever reason.

Maybe I am the exception that proves the rule but I have very ticklish feet - but I am about as touch feely as you can get

Hi Tashanie,

Maybe I am the exception that proves the rule but I have very ticklish feet - but I am about as touch feely as you can get

Nothing is written in stone - everyone is different 😀 that is the fascinating part!

By believing that you have very ticklish feet perhaps you are setting up an expectation that it will tickle - have you thought of changing your belief from "my feet are ticklish" into one where "they no longer tickle?"

Hi Tashanie,

Nothing is written in stone - everyone is different 😀 that is the fascinating part!

By believing that you have very ticklish feet perhaps you are setting up an expectation that it will tickle - have you thought of changing your belief from "my feet are ticklish" into one where "they no longer tickle?"

I don't believe I have ticklish feet I KNOW I have ticklish feet lol. As a hypnotherapist I totally accept the power of the mind to affect our reactions. But I will still be who I am whether I have ticklish feet or not. I will still be a very touchy feel person . My ticklish feet are not a problem .
🙂

Hi Tashanie,

As I say everyone is different 🙂 It is all down to perceptions and beliefs.

I think it is a shame that people with ticklish feet often exclude themselves from receiving Reflexology. A firm hold and touch can lead to some people releasing their emotions and concerns with a lot of laughter initially, followed by deep relaxation.

Happily I have managed to help people to transform their ticklish beliefs of knowing and experiencing ticklish feet into a state where they no longer perceived being touched as being tickled, so are happy to receive Reflexology without the pre-judgement of being tickled. 🙂

Would you ever consider receiving a Reflexolgy session yourself?

Hi Tashanie,

As I say everyone is different 🙂 It is all down to perceptions and beliefs.

Would you ever consider receiving a Reflexolgy session yourself?

Actually yes because I know reflexology uses a firm touch. I just wanted to debate the idea that ticklish feet mean you are not open to be touched

Hi Tashanie,

I just wanted to debate the idea that ticklish feet mean you are not open to be touched

In my experience that has often been the case but I agree that there are no hard and fast rules 🙂 It is not forced to just be ticklish feet they could be ticklish in other areas which could restrict their relationships with others. It is after all our job to help people resolve this sort of thing, whether it is tickling, too much pain or any other belief which is causing them distress.

I don't believe I have ticklish feet I KNOW I have ticklish feet lol. As a hypnotherapist I totally accept the power of the mind to affect our reactions. But I will still be who I am whether I have ticklish feet or not. I will still be a very touchy feel person . My ticklish feet are not a problem .

I am interested in your definitions of "belief " and "knowing".

So what would happen to that knowing if the belief that you have ticklish feet were changed so that you no longer perceived that you had ticklish feet so the feelings of being tickled no longer arose when your feet were touched?

This has nothing to do with changing the person, they will still be the same person it is just their belief in the tickling which has changed and now allows them to do something which they were unble to do before.

To us this would be addressed the same as any other belief which is creating an inner conflict.

In my experience people with ticklish feet often prefer hand reflexology as an alternative option. That is the option I offer and they usually are happy for that. Some people are embarrassed of their feet and will say they are very ticklish so again the option is offered. Works for me:)

Hi Tashanie,

In my experience that has often been the case but I agree that there are no hard and fast rules 🙂 It is not forced to just be ticklish feet they could be ticklish in other areas which could restrict their relationships with others. It is after all our job to help people resolve this sort of thing, whether it is tickling, too much pain or any other belief which is causing them distress.

I am interested in your definitions of "belief " and "knowing".

So what would happen to that knowing if the belief that you have ticklish feet were changed so that you no longer perceived that you had ticklish feet so the feelings of being tickled no longer arose when your feet were touched?

This has nothing to do with changing the person, they will still be the same person it is just their belief in the tickling which has changed and now allows them to do something which they were unble to do before.

To us this would be addressed the same as any other belief which is creating an inner conflict.

What inner conflict? I recognise the idea you are putting forward - but how I react when my feet are touched does not affect my daily life . It is not a self limiting beleif since it is not stopping me doing anyhting I want (or need) to do. So I feel no need to 'de-sensitise' me feet to touch - which I know I probably could do if I really needed to.

I repeat ALL I wanted to do was show the theory originally forward (tickish feet mean a dilsike of being touched at all) did not seem to be valid in my view.

In my experience people with ticklish feet often prefer hand reflexology as an alternative option. That is the option I offer and they usually are happy for that. Some people are embarrassed of their feet and will say they are very ticklish so again the option is offered. Works for me:)

I didn't know hand reflexology even existed

What inner conflict? I recognise the idea you are putting forward - but how I react when my feet are touched does not affect my daily life . It is not a self limiting beleif since it is not stopping me doing anyhting I want (or need) to do. So I feel no need to 'de-sensitise' me feet to touch - which I know I probably could do if I really needed to.

I repeat ALL I wanted to do was show the theory originally forward (tickish feet mean a dilsike of being touched at all) did not seem to be valid in my view.

That is fine as many people say that they do not have a problem until they need something doing ie podiatry or reflexolgy or massage for other areas than require attention.

Perhaps I should have asked if you had actually received reflexolgy rather than would you consider it as contemplating and doing something are quite different things? 🙂

An inner conflict is when 2 or more opposing thought patterns or beliefs arise at the same time to take away our harmony and create disharmony.

The belief that is creating the knowing of being ticklish surrounds something which has been and no longer exists outside the ties of consciousness that they have created around something which has happened in the past.

To resolve the inner conflict and have inner harmony has got nothing to do with desensitisation at all, it is to do with changing the belief surrounding a past event and removing the ties of consciousness that is maintaining the belief surrounding being touched and tickled.

As a hypnotherapist I totally accept the power of the mind to affect our reactions.

We look at it in a different way. To us, the physiological reactions and emotions that arise in the body are being created by our underlying thought patterns and beliefs. If we wish to change the reaction of somebody we change their underlying thought patterns and beliefs rather than utilising distraction and desentisation techniques.

How Sad...

I found the response to this as very sad...for the most part. How sad to be so narrow minded when it comes to the creation and magnificence of our intricate bodies to try and negatize (I know, not a real word) the (can be) and healing benefits that ticklishness can offer. But I have noticed that though completely natural and proven healthful, ticklishness is demonized as a negative stigma.

I would agree, many people have very adverse and most often learned feelings of ticklishness, but how sad and empty it would be not to have that wonderful sensation. Studies have show that the more uptight a person is, the LESS ticklish they are! The reason why babies and children usually love tickle games and as we get older we resist and fight...and demonize it...yes, I am being repetitious. And while ticklish feet are not ideal for a deep relaxing massage or reflexology treatment, it does provide many healthful benefits: stress relief, release of endorphins and dopamine, lowering of blood pressure, and healing laughter.

Some of us are ticklish because that is how God made us and we relish in that fact, not despise it or try to change it. Because some people have their negative view, it is sad to see them try to impose or change what we hold as healing and natural. I have used this technique on others and have had it done, giving into the sensations, laughing heartily like a small child and letting that laughter wash away all the tension and stress and yes, my feet are extremely ticklish and I am a very open loving person. No, its not for everyone, but it is for many who have had it introduced in a positive and very natural healing light and perspective. It is simply fascinating and something that scientists are still trying to figure out. But tickling the feet for health dates back to Egypt if not before.

I could go on and on with this, not just the therapy, the experiences, the history, but the upside of all this...certainly the sad opposite of what is taught in the textbook...so sad to be limited by what we are told and not by what we can discover 🙁

Some interesting points MG7. Being ticklish doesn't necessarily mean a bad thing and may be a door to connect to the "inner child within".

One of the problems of the reflexology/holistic/newagey scene in general is that they want to create "meaning" out of everything. May be sometimes things are just are as they are 😀

Negativity Taught?

I almost didn't reply to this, though I DO want to thank Reike Pixie for the positive reply. And I almost considered starting a new thread, but kind of because of what RP replied thought there probably wouldn't be enough interest from anyone out there. I wholly agree, that ticklish feet do not have to mean anything; some people just are and so are not. But I do think the reaction...not the physical reaction, but the emotional mental reaction is taught. On the negative side unfortunately are those who were tortured by a bullying sibling, cousin, etc. and were "taught" that tickling is negative. But there are many who see it as bonding, positive and even healing. Many, most children love tickling and often ask for it but as we get older, more reserved, more inhibited, we withdraw and either become less ticklish or in many cases, because it may put us out of control, AND are even told it is a bad thing...pent up tension, etc., etc., etc. perceive it that way. Massage schools for the most part teach ticklishness as a negative bad thing. Avoid it at all costs! SOOOOOO closed minded. Tickling is one of the first bonding experiences between a mother and child. It can be a very positive AND healing experience lowering blood pressure, muscle tension, anxiety etc...IF it is applied correctly AND the recipient accepts it correctly. Ticklishness is one of the senses of touch and is a mystery today...still being studied and learned from. But for some reason, therapists rather than embracing and using and exploring it, do their best just to eliminate it 🙁 Again, it is sad we cannot learn from what is right before us and rely rather on what we are told.

I think the key to this is two-fold and would challenge anyone to try this. One, let it happen and don't resist. Lay down relaxed and LET someone lightly tickle your feet. LET them, ask them to. Second, give into it and just laugh. Don't fight it, don't reisit it...just let whatever happens happen and LET yourself laugh. Lay there and focus on what it feels like.Believe me, I have had this done for therapy and it is very stress relieving and has helped with a list of personal issues...knee pain, allergies, and just general well being. One a few occasions, after I left the therapy, I hit bumper to bumper traffic on the way home adn just floated through it with an almost giddiness that lasted a few days. And YES< I KNOW this would not work for everyone, nor is it for everyone, but neither is any modality. And for those who say, "But these results can be achieved through..." Yes, and you just proved my point. Maybe they can, but why be so closed minded and limit yourself. I always here the claim how open-minded holistic therapists are, yet rarely sit it. Laughter is a great thing, and tickling can be a great way to achieve it. Let the negative comments commence! :p

Hi musicguy7,

You won't get any negativity from me, it is more a case of what is 😀

I could not agree with you more on many of the points that you have made on your last post.

The original question came from a Reflexologist who was wondering how ticklish feet fitted into Chris Stormer's book "The language of feet" - are you familiar with this? My answer was aimed at giving Redribbon some confidence.

I treat many people who enjoy the sensations of hands on therapies, whether they find it ticklish or not, but it is a shame when people will not entertain reflexology or body massage because they have a problem with being tickled.

Are you a hands on therapist and how would you deal with people who would love to receive a successful hands on session without pulling away or over tightening their muscles to such an extent that very little is achieved?

As I said in several of my replies to Tashanie

As I say everyone is different 🙂 It is all down to perceptions and beliefs.

I agree it is a shame that people will not try a modality for fear of being tickled, and while I would gently encourage someone, I wouldn't force the issue. Some people have an issue with ticklishness, not necessarily with the sensation, but with the embarrassment of laughing or feeling foolish. I would encourage that its natural and a natural release. As far as technique I would hold the feet and use the firmer pressure, but again, that is after the fact. I think you would have to agree ( I checked out other links here on the subject ) that ticklishness is demonized...that its a result of tension, or some other negative trauma...instead of that its a very natural and could be cherished sense and reflex. I think so much of this is transference...when a child falls down, it the parent makes a big deal, the child cries, because they get that cue from the parent. If the parent smiles and makes it silly (and I am obviously only talking where a child is not hurt) then the child actually laughs...because they receive that cue from the parent. When the therapist acts like ticklishness is a negative thing when they could be embracing it and USING it, that, to me adds more stress to the person being massaged. I actually feel sorry for people who are not ticklish to some degree. And again, I know everyone is different...it just comes across in the field as very negative. There is so much positive to it.:p

As for Chris Stormer and other authors of books about mind-body connections, I find them slightly limited. Huge assumptions are made and are unfortunately taken as some kind of gospel truth. They are really generalisations to help to have a open mind to the potential psychology behind the illness. Hints for investigation not necessarily actual truths.

It is unfortunate that many reflexologists have fallen into this trap of "reading" people and making the most incredible leaps of guess work masked as some kind of divine revelation or holistic principle not to be questioned.

I hear this BS on a regular basis from clients and reflexologists. It has turned what is a noble healing art into some kind of parlour game. Which leads me to Chris Stormer's book, Language of the Feet. When I read it, I treated as a comic and had a bit of a chuckle 😀

As for my own therapy insight into mind-body connections, suggests can be made with open questions and allow the client to explore and discover their own truths, not the reflexologist/therapist who says because of "this" it means "that" like simple mathematical equation A+B=C.

Hi RP,

I seem to recall that we have covered The Language of Feet in other posts here on HP 😀

IMO reflexology is an intuitive healing system, but I do not reject or judge any tool which might help someone to open up who otherwise might possibly not have felt able to do so.

Hi musicguy7,

You make some good points, I agree every person is different.

Gaiaholistix, I am sorry if all this came off as a personal attack and I apologize; that was not my intention and I do appreciate your response. I'll be honest, it didn't hit right and even reading back over, I can't say I agree with everything, but I do agree with you conclusion and as been said, everyone is different.

I find this particular modality absolutely fascinating, first having it done and knowing first hand the results and then sharing it with others, and I will admit, I don't understand it all...I just know it works. I can pretty much guarantee the majority here would poo-poo at even trying it. (Sorry, that just came to my head 🙂 But it is a loss. I truly wish holistic therapists were as open as they clame to be...not referring to you 🙂 Its a truly unique and fascinating modality...and has been even noted as a fun type of therapy by both the giver and receiver. That does not make it silly or not legitimate...its just that laughter or causing laghter is contagious and makes one smile.

Finding the root cause, hidden belief, hidden perception may seem like an intelligent notion, but isn't that intelligent. Logic tells you-find the root where it all started. We do that in our daily life to solve problems naturally and organically.
But therapy world has taken this to dizzy heights. The detective work, how to find the hidden, unravel the beginnings of a belief to get rid of the issue has been down to several therapies eft does that, Louise Hay, several other authors of similar works. Mostly when one book gets attention, many thousand similar works flood the market....Your direction has been highjacked so to speak. Then everyone is bought and sold that to heal go to the root....Then many many start working, therapies of that nature come into being. All looking for beliefs to get rid of issues
It is the age of therapy and headings etc how much is actually healed? More and more people going into therapy, analysing their problems, recognising their problems....if it worked those people would be done with help. But more issues are created, more to unravel more to heal. More clients more therapists...the world goes on exactly the same...

Therapy has created issues out of normal things. This thread just accentuates that. Therapy takes away grace from small idiosyncrasies, small glitches, normal tendencies, habits are made wrong then therapy offers you help to get rid of them.
The belief that everything is down to a belief, is a belief....yet therapist propounds that with some panache!

Life does not need analysing, digging, healing, sorting as opposed to the principles of mind therapies. Most things find their natural flow if you allow them. Rather than going digging for hidden beliefs, perceptions, root causes...if we allow with open heart whatever is taking place...the hidden reveals itself, should you need to see it, if not, you just change, no matter whatever was causing it....It comes into awareness from the unaware ness by staying open. When you are settled more comes into awareness.

Wrong end of the stick...find, detect, hunt down causes more issues and makes many a normal things wrong. Then obliged to find cure for it...endless therapy happens.
Therapy inadvertently perpetuates issues.

50, 60 years ago there was hardly any therapy in the form we have today yet people were more together, more graceful in their good times bad times, problems. Now everyone has so much knowledge (both client and therapist are well versed in what is what...), yet so little acceptance and allowing. Therapy has taken grace out of normal by branding it as something that needs resolving.

Life lives itself beautifully if you don't condemn things, your own labelling them bad( with a little help from your therapist) throws you in the quagmire of endless working on yourself...

(RP, your signature filled with insight)

Hi Jnani

If you examine the systems like eft etc, then you will see that they are all about acceptance and then instigating change through that acceptance, discerning what needs accepting is just a means to an end, not the end, the end is the change that comes through the acceptance of self and the things that we create for self within self. 😉

Hi Jnani

If you examine the systems like eft etc, then you will see that they are all about acceptance and then instigating change through that acceptance, discerning what needs accepting is just a means to an end, not the end, the end is the change that comes through the acceptance of self and the things that we create for self within self. 😉

In acceptance what else needs doing?
Tapping, working on it, finding root cause? Is that acceptance? Or a phrase even if I have this....I accept myself
In the moment your heart has accepted, the issue becomes non issue. It does not matter if it stays or goes.
The fact that you are still trying to resolve it is because it does matter. It better be gone. I will tap until it goes....acceptance?

Hi Jnani

If we have decided that we are not good enough or worthy at some point and have embraced that as a core belief, then that is what we are and what we are creating for self within our life experience, if we are guided through whatever means is used to discerned the root of the problem so that we can acknowledge and accept that we have chosen to be unworthy and not good enough, then the core underlying problem has been reveled, but nothing has changed.

We will remain unworthy and not good enough as a core way of being, until we choose to do something about it and transform the core belief from accepting that we are not worthy or good enough to be into accepting that we are good enough and worthy to be, then the underlying core problem will be healed, without change there is no healing, healing is simply the change from one state of being into another state of being.

Hi Jnani

If we have decided that we are not good enough or worthy at some point and have embraced that as a core belief, then that is what we are and what we are creating for self within our life experience, if we are guided through whatever means is used to discerned the root of the problem so that we can acknowledge and accept that we have chosen to be unworthy and not good enough, then the core underlying problem has been reveled, but nothing has changed.

We will remain unworthy and not good enough as a core way of being, until we choose to do something about it and transform the core belief from accepting that we are not worthy or good enough to be into accepting that we are good enough and worthy to be, then the underlying core problem will be healed, without change there is no healing, healing is simply the change from one state of being into another state of being.

Being worthy is a life issue for almost everyone. Therapy may or may not heal that.

The point was therapy is making many small things into issues...like ticklish feat. Life needs acceptance. If small things are accepted, bigger things also come into that compass slowly but surely.
But if we start making smallest of things into issues and working on them, the effect is unsettling. Counter productive.
Acceptance is a direction and the way therapy works, it undermines that natural flow of acceptance and imposes itself on the simplicity of life.

Worthiness etc is relatively new area that masses have stated to work on. People were carrying on just fine, just 5, 6 decades ago, without any ado about major life issues.
There was generally more acceptance than we have now
Are we psychologically more sound? Are we emotionally more balanced, now that we collectively know about self worth and core beliefs?

Hi Jnani

Being worthy is a life issue for almost everyone. Therapy may or may not heal that.

That ties in with my understanding, which is why I found a new way of healing the inner divisional conflicts that arise through being unworthy into the wholeness that comes from being worthy.

The point was therapy is making many small things into issues...like ticklish feat. Life needs acceptance. If small things are accepted, bigger things also come into that compass slowly but surely.

Agreed, ticklish feet are not a problem to most people, but for those who have a real issue with being overtly ticklish, to dismiss it as unimportant and to tell them to accept and get on with it, does not help them, they need a solution to the problem that is creating suffering within their life experience.

But if we start making smallest of things into issues and working on them, the effect is unsettling. Counter productive.

The only person who can decide if something is an issue for them or not, is the person who is experiencing the ramifications of making that personal choice, it is immaterial if their problem is an aspect of our own life experience or not, if they say that they have a problem with something, then they have a problem that we should acknowledge and take seriously, if we do not believe that something is a problem, then we can't conceive a solution to it. 😉

Acceptance is a direction and the way therapy works, it undermines that natural flow of acceptance and imposes itself on the simplicity of life.

As I have said in my last post accepting that we have chosen to be something or experience a way of being, does not change anything, there is nothing simple being born into a cast system or bondage or any judgmental system that tells you that you have to accept that you are not worthy of doing or being something, acceptance might help to keep the simplicity of keeping people in their place, but it does little for the individuals who are living their life experience in expression of this way of being!

Worthiness etc is relatively new area that masses have stated to work on. People were carrying on just fine, just 5, 6 decades ago, without any ado about major life issues.
There was generally more acceptance than we have now

The collective consciousness that was around following the experience of the last war requires something different to what is required now, the issues were here, but people were of the opinion that you just go on with it, make do and mend and all that, they just wanted to create normality in place of the destruction that had been in existence. 🙂

Are we psychologically more sound? Are we emotionally more balanced, now that we collectively know about self worth and core beliefs?

That is the whole point Jnani, we now have a choice and a solution to the problems that arise form our core beliefs, we no longer have to put up with things and make do, or try and ignore them like we had to do, we can be whole, we can be healed into wholeness, we can be re-harmonised and balanced, there is a choice and a solution in existence now. 🙂

Kudos JNANI, I think you summed it up well. I don't think the following reply to JNANI was even close to being on tarrget:

JNANI: The point was therapy is making many small things into issues...like ticklish feat. Life needs acceptance. If small things are accepted, bigger things also come into that compass slowly but surely.

Paul: Agreed, ticklish feet are not a problem to most people, but for those who have a real issue with being overtly ticklish, to dismiss it as unimportant and to tell them to accept and get on with it, does not help them, they need a solution to the problem that is creating suffering within their life experience.

JNANI never said, or implied that someone's concern should be dismissed or trivialized. He said accept the fact and work with it...not in those words and JNANI, correct me if I am wrong since you made the original statement, but that is how I read it. The "problem" in many cases is not the ticklishness which can be most often USED or if not, alleviated for a different affect, but the therapist attaching it to a problem or root...you are uptight, nervous tension, etc. Personally, for me the more tense I am, the less ticklish I am and the point is, that's just me. There is no meaning behind ticklish feet. It just is. Some are and some are not. It can be a useful blessing as very very few therapists have yet to accept or discover or a curse which most therapists accept. Remember when reflexology just started to get popular. It was mocked and rejected by MANY therapists and slowly and gradually made its way into acceptance.

Hi Musicguy7

So if you were suffering from sciatica and went to see someone and they told you to just accept the symptoms of pain and work with it, that acceptance is all that is required, then what would you think to that as you struggled to leave their treatment room?

Can you say that there is no underlying cause for anyone who is over sensitised to the sensation of being tickled, regardless of what they have endured to get to that point?

Just because we have not experienced something within our own life experience, does not necessarily mean that no one else has experienced something in a different way, when someone comes with an OCD problem, I probably will not have experienced what they are experiencing, but that does not stop me addressing their problem from their perspective, they are the ones with the problem that needs addressing after all. 🙂