Hand Reflexology: A taster session

this sequence is suitable for therapists learning hand reflexology but also for non- therapists wanting to treat friends and family hand reflexology can be performed anywhere wherever there is a suitable place to rest the hands this can include your lap it is easier to carry out hand reflexology using a little cream although it can be done without start the treatment gently to get used to each other's touch work each part of the sequence approximately three times depending on the length of time available with Palms down stroke firmly from the fingertips and up each arm to Elbow turn hand over and massage the palm of the hand drawing your thumbs across the hand to release tension in the palm the whole forearm can again be massaged another calming move is called the diaphragm sweep this aims to increase depth of breathing Place both of your thumbs on the solar plexus the center point of the palm and draw out to the edges of the Palm Place your thumbs on the so plexus reflex point which is good for calming this is situated in the center of the Palm ask your client to take three deep breaths in through their nose and out through their mouth as they breathe in gently push into the reflex Point perform Zone walking by walking from the crease of the wrist up to the tops of the fingers this is to release the energy through all the zones work the head reflex area to help relax the thought processes the head reflex is the top half of the thumb you can use your thumb or fingers to either walk from the tip down to the Joint crease as shown on the right hand or from the crease of the thumb up to the tip as on the left hand work the brain reflex to improve mood by using the finger knuckle movement over the top of the thumb to encourage deeper breathing firstly thumb walk across the diaphragm line on the palm as shown then walk up the lung reflexes situated in between the bones on the palm the webbing at the base of the thumb and First Finger corresponds to the stomach reflex place your thumb at the base of the V and walk a line towards the base of the thumb draw back to the base of the V and continue to walk in lines to cover the whole area next work the area relating to small intestines this area is the lower third of the palm of each hand use two or three of your knuckles to claw across this area the large intestines are also found in the lower third of the hand the easiest way to work these are to use your knuckles to work in a circular motion in a clockwise direction as this mimics the way the large intestines flow to help calm the nervous system it is good to work along the spine reflex your right hand takes their right hand as if you were shaking hands slightly rotate their hand so you have access to the side of their thumb walk from the tip of the thumb to the wrist following the prominent bone to end the sequence carry out a few gentle massages moves start by massaging all the fingers one at a time then rotate each finger whilst gently pulling away from the hand finish with solar plexus breathing as you did at the start place your thumbs on the solar plexus reflex point this is situated in the center of the Palm ask your client to take three deep breaths in through their nose and out through their mouth as they breathe in gently push into the reflex point then place your palms on their palms gently lift yours away about 5 cm you will be able to feel that energy as gentle warmth hold for a few seconds and then lift your hands away reflex flexology and hand reflexology should not be used as an alternative to medical advice