Reflexology is defined as "The protocol of manual techniques, such as thumb-and-finger-walking, hook and backup and rotating-on-a-point, applied to a specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands." So, that is pretty much the definition of a foot massage, right? No!
Let's look at a story by massage business educator, and Alliance for Massage Therapy Education President, Cherie Sohnen-Moe:
When celebrating her birthday at a well-known spa, Cherie chose one of her favorite services: a foot reflexology session, described as in the brochure "specialized pressure techniques applied to specific wellness-related reflex points on the feet to release blocked energy, relieve stress and boost circulation."
Unfortunately, this is not the treatment she received. During her session, Cherie began asking the therapist a couple of questions and it became clear that her therapist was not a trained reflexologist.
After a displeasing visit to this spa it was evident that spa and massage therapists are offering foot massage that they call reflexology. So, where did this confusion between reflexology and foot massage originate?
Licensing
In the United States, reflexology is regulated in various ways, depending on the state. Some have separate regulations for reflexology, some do not have a massage law, (and reflexology is also unregulated in those states), while four states plus Washington D.C., require a massage therapy license to practice reflexology. Typically, what happens is a massage instructor, not a qualified reflexology instructor, explains the general theories behind reflexology and points out the general location of reflexes on a large wall chart with instructions to press on those points if the client has health issues with that organ or gland. This approach is similar to asking a sports medicine practitioner to teach craniosacral massage.
With no training in reflexology, yet armed with a license that allows them to practice the discipline, it is no surprise that most massage therapists in those states head out knowing nothing about reflexology. Even without significant knowledge or experience with reflexology, they believe they are still able to offer it or practice it with an inaccurate impression that it is simply the application of pressure during a massage on sensitive points in the feet.
The lack of consistency across the country has arisen in part, because of the broad definition of massage within various state laws. In some way most states define massage as the manipulation of the soft tissue (muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments) of the human body. Since any hands-on application to the body will result in manipulation of body parts, it is easy to see why reflexology has been lumped in with massage, especially since most people lobbying for massage licensing have no formal understanding of reflexology.
A New Definition to Clarify the Differences Between Reflexology & Massage
There are three arms of reflexology in the United States. They are:
- The American Reflexology Certification Board (arcb.net)- a nonprofit, independent testing agency
- Reflexology Association of American (RAA; reflexology-usa.org)- the national membership organization
- National Council for Reflexology Educators- the voice and resource center for reflexology educators
These three branches recently joined and decided it was time for a collective definition for reflexology. Here is the definitive definition:
"Reflexology is a protocol of manual techniques, such as thumb- and finger- walking, hook and backup and rotating-on-a-point, applied to a specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands. These techniques stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems, supporting the body's efforts to function optimally. The effectiveness of reflexology is recognized worldwide by various national health institutions and the public at large as a distinct complementary practice within the holistic health field."
This definition serves to clarify the differences in technique between reflexology and massage, and clearly states how reflexology differs in its intent from massage therapy, a practice that manipulates soft tissue with the intent to relax muscles. This distinction is crucial for states pursuing reflexology licensure separate from massage.
Qualifications
Training in reflexology ranges from one-day introductions to full certification, depending on the individual's level of interest and how he or she plans to incorporate reflexology into a practice. Of course, a one-day introduction does not provide training sufficient to offer reflexology in a massage practice. It can, however, inform the participant of the basics of reflexology and help him or her decide whether to pursue more complete education. Most certified reflexologists offer strictly to their clients, perhaps augmented with hydrotherapy and aromatherapy. They create reflexology-based practices that safely help people of all ages restore homeostasis, optimize physiological functions and address system imbalances and weaknesses. Some massage therapists have discovered that beginning a massage session with reflexology helps relax muscle tension and calm the nervous system enough that the massage portion of the session is easier on their hands and far more effective.
Credentials
The member association, RAA, representing state affiliate and individuals in the United States welcome practitioners with all levels of training. Professional-levels members must provide proof of at least 300 hours of foot or hand reflexology education, 160 of which must have been accrued in a live classroom setting with an instructor. Although membership renewal does not require continuing education, most members have gone on to study various advanced protocols involving the feet, hands, outer ears and face from nationally and internationally recognized educators.
Practitioners with less than the professional level of education are welcomes as associate practitioners. Reflexology students, reflexology schools and supporters also enjoy associate memberships, including discounted admission fees to RAA's biennial conference.
Through ARCB, eligible applicants can sit to take board examinations in foot and/or hand reflexology. To be successful, applicants will have passed a 300-question psychometrically valid test; submitted 90 documented session forms and passed a hands-on practical exam to earn the designation of the National Board Certified Reflexologist (NCBR). Continued status requires 24 hours of approved continuing education biennially.
Reflexology vs Massage
Spas and massage therapists will not be able to pass off foot massages for reflexology much longer, if they want to retain their credibility in the community. Just as reflexologists don't claim to be doing massage, massage therapists and spas should not claim to be offering reflexology when it's just foot massage. It serves neither group to misrepresent their qualifications or mislead the public as to what various services. Foot massage is a valuable service, and so is reflexology - but they are not the same. Just as massage practitioners’ scope of practice should not be infringed upon, trained reflexologists should be afforded the respect that comes from earning specialty certification.
The world needs more reflexologists! If you want to offer this specialty, contact one of the organizations mentioned in this article, or an experienced continuing education provider, and begin your journey into this rewarding and beneficial specialization.
This blog was curated from an article by Karen Ball, NBCR, LMT and published in Massage Magazine, November 2016.
