Advanced ReflexAromatherapist Practitioner

In the holistic health care field many healing modalities have become the subject of interest and study for healthcare providers, holistic practitioners and the general populace alike. Many are finding that the combination of two or more therapies brings quicker, more complete relief from physical, emotional, spiritual and mental maladies than does one modality alone.

This course was developed by professionals in the Holistic Health Care field trained in the following modalities: Aromatherapy, Advanced/Master Aromatherapy, Reiki, Tuning Fork Therapy, Color and Crystal Therapy, Homeopathy, Herbalism, and Advanced Reflexology.

This is a perfect continuing education course for therapists/practitioners of other modalities such as color/crystal therapy, energy medicine, Massage Therapy, Reiki, Sound Therapy, Homeopathy, etc.

WHY COMBINE REFLEXOLOGY AND AROMATHERAPY?

For the purposes of this discussion, we are going to focus on the practice of using Aromatherapy to complement and enhance the benefits of Reflexology.

Many people are aware of the positive aspects of Reflexology. Stress release, total relaxation, and relief from chronic complaints are some areas that this treatment targets. Now, imagine using essential oils to complement the above effects. By combining the healing properties of Aromatherapy with the calming touch of Reflexology, clients undergo a complete holistic experience.

Reflexology massage is derived from a primitive instinct. It is inherent in human nature to use ‘touch’ to comfort and heal. Hugging, patting, even kissing a child’s scraped knee are all instinctive responses ‘to making it better’. Not only does this help to relieve physical pain, but it also makes one feel emotionally secure. Without conscious intent, we generate a small form of holistic care. This, the act of touching, combines the physical and emotional sides of what we consider to be ‘care’.

Essential oils complete the holistic approach by affecting the mind. Due to the fact that these oils stimulate the limbic system, the brain’s own healing mechanism is triggered. By inhaling these fragrances during therapy, the scents’ own healing power enters the bloodstream. When these oils activate the olfactory bulb, it sends electrical impulses to the Limbic system, which affects emotional behavior. This is why people feel invigorated when they smell Rosemary and Basil, and calmed by Chamomile and Jasmine.

This is the main focus of ‘ReflexAroma’ – the term we have coined to signify the combination of Reflexology and Aromatherapy methods: to combine several of the body’s senses in effectual healing. Other orthodox medical practices can temporarily ‘heal the client’ but usually fails to help the client ‘to heal themselves’. This is where ReflexAromatherapy excels as a treatment. By using scent and touch together, the body’s healing is heightened not only by the therapist, but also by the client.

Let’s take a quick look at Aromatherapy and Reflexology.

AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy, sometimes also referred to as aromatic or scent medicine, is the art of healing the body using naturally distilled essences from different parts of plants to improve and enhance your everyday emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. These essences are known as essential oils.

Our sense of smell is about 10,000 times stronger than our sense of taste, but it is truly under appreciated. The olfactory system of your brain has a memory of scents and the longest recall of all the senses.

Just think… does the smell of baking bread bring back vivid memories of visits with a relative in your childhood.. ever catch a whiff of the cologne/perfume of an old lover? Memories that are attached to scent are stronger!!!!

Scent also stimulates the limbic system of the brain which responds by releasing neuro-chemicals. Such as Seratonin and Endorphins. These chemicals calm us.. arouse us… alleviate discomfort.

Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment, the aim of which is to produce a physical, spiritual, emotional and mental sense of well-being through inhalation and massage of essential oils. Essential oils are derived from plants and are chosen for their particular therapeutic qualities that are stimulating, refreshing and sedative.

Aromatherapy is also referred to as the fragrant art of using specially selected aromatic oils for therapeutic purposes. It is one of the fastest growing complementary therapies in the world and is recognized as one of the most natural and holistic treatments available today.

Aromatherapy does not aim to treat disease. Its aim is to release feelings of well-being, harmony and improved mental and physical health.

For the Reflexologist, the feet are a microcosm of the human body and every organ and body part is represented in the feet. Where there are two organs in the body they will be represented on both feet, e.g. lungs and kidney and where there is only one organ, this will be represented on one foot, e.g. the liver will be on the right foot while the heart will be on the left. Where the organ or body part is reflected in the feet, this is called the “organ” reflex, e.g. the heart reflex.

The right foot represents the right side of the body as well as the past while the left foot represents the left side of the body as well as the present and future.

Each foot has over 7,000 nerve endings, 26 bones, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles. This type of drugless therapy creates a physiological change in the body by naturally improving your Circulation, which reduces our body Tension and enhances relaxation. It aids in the elimination of the body waste and restoring the body functions to better health.

By stimulating reflexes on the feet with a type of pressure massage, the organs of the body are stimulated, thus allowing them to start unblocking and healing themselves. In addition to this, the stimulation of these reflexes allows the body to begin detoxing and eliminating poisons which have built up through bad diet, thinking and habit.

Centuries ago, man mapped out a healing energy that circulates through the body on specific pathways. This energy we call “life force” or “vital energy”. This force can be “tapped” at more than 800 points in your body.

Ancient medical philosophy teaches that to obtain and maintain health, which is the balance and maintenance of harmony within the body, there must be a free and unimpeded Circulation of energy flowing through the body’s organs.

Traditional medicine, not only of the Chinese, but from the use of Acupuncture in other countries as well, we learn that traditional medicine is based on the belief that the body’s blood Circulation follows the flow of energy. If this energy Circulation, which follows circulates freely in an endless cycle from the main organs through the channels beneath the skin, is blocked at some point, then the Circulation is impaired.

This blockage results in a deficient oxygenation of the tissues around the affected area and throws the body off balance. This imbalance produces malfunctioning not only of the tissues surrounding it, but, if not corrected, spreads to related organs nearby.

Tapping this healing current can bring prompt and natural relief from practically all of your aches and pains, chronic or acute, by the simple process of working the ‘reflex buttons’ located in your hands, feet and/or body.

Stimulating, pressing or ‘working’ a reflex point (or button) connected to a particular body organ, system or part sends a surge of healing energy for prompt relief of a condition. Working a reflex also loosens and flushes out Crystals and blockages within the body’s energy channels allowing the life force or vital energy to resume its free and natural flow through the channels. This encourages the body to swing back into its normal balance, so harmony and health are again established.

This method of restoring the body to normal functioning involves no expense, no special equipment (although reflex tools can be utilized and do help save wear and tear on your finger and thumb joints!), no drugs or medication. The results are amazingly fast, bringing relief often in a matter of seconds.

Reflexology, which helps a wide range of situations, not only cures specific ailments but can be used to keep you in good health and help build resistance to attacks of disease. In addition, this method often detects health problems before they become serious by you recognizing a sore or tender reflex.

Reflexology is a simple technique that can be applied at any time and practically anywhere. It is Nature’s ‘push button’ secret for dynamic living, abundant physical energy, vibrant health, better living without pain, retaining youthful vigor and enjoying life to the fullest.