a community of practitioners

Sequence

In school I was taught to do the left foot in its entirety first, then go the right foot.

In several books I've seen it recommended to alternate feet -- toes and ball of foot on each, then the "waist", then the heel area, or even from one reflex area to the same area on the other foot.

I've been alternating, simply because it makes sense to me.

What do YOU do, and why?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Catherine Roe on August 31, 2009 at 7:41am

Initially, I was taught to treat one foot completely and then the other, like you were. Then I did a training with Ingrid Dougans in person from the International School of Reflexology and Meridians Therapy who recommends to alternate.

I now use my own intuition depending on the client, the symptoms and the treatment plan.

Catherine
www.dublin-massage-therapy.com

Permalink Reply by Novlette G Barnes on October 17, 2009 at 5:56pm

My initial training was to complete the techniques on the right foot, then the left. This I have passed on to my students. However, in my practice I start working on the left foot because the reflex point to the sigmoid colon is located here, and this is where waste matter settles awaiting elimination time. My aim is to work this area first with the intent of clearing any blockages along the intestine.
I can see the importance of working the feet alternately, since the soles of the feet represents a 'mirror image' of the human body with the toes representing the head, the padding of the feet representing the chest area, and so forth. It does seem natural to work both sides of the head - ie., left / right - first then on to the chest area, and so forth.
Which ever method you use, aim to satisfy your client, as this will be rewarding to you in the long run.

Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on October 17, 2009 at 8:29pm

I took my Reflexology from the International Institute of Reflexology. They teach the original Ingram Method. I was taught to begin with the left foot. Complete the left foot and then wrap it in hot twels and go to the right foot and do the same. I think I would get too confused going back and forth.

Permalink Reply by Martha Kay on October 22, 2009 at 11:23am

In school I was also taught to complete the right foot and move on to the left. In most sessions, I will do this once, with my intention on the organs, then make another pass on each foot just focusing on the reflexes with the most congestion, then I will make a third pass with my intention on the endocrine system. I find this works well for me and my clients, so I only change the routine if they are coming in for treatment of a certain pathology. I like Novlette's idea of taking care of the colon first, though... I may steal that... ;)

Permalink Reply by Ruth M. Schopper-Hughes on October 28, 2009 at 8:27am

I start on the left foot and do it entirely, then switch. It seems to flow better for me that way. I have never tried alternating. Is there an advantage to alternating?

Permalink Reply by Ruth M. Schopper-Hughes on October 28, 2009 at 8:29am

Hi. Are you nationally certified? Do you have a website? I also took classes in the Ingram method.

Darcy Neibaur BS LMT NCTMB said:

I took my Reflexology from the International Institute of Reflexology. They teach the original Ingram Method. I was taught to begin with the left foot. Complete the left foot and then wrap it in hot twels and go to the right foot and do the same. I think I would get too confused going back and forth.

Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on October 28, 2009 at 6:59pm

Hi Ruth,

Yes, I am Nationally Certified and Licensed in the State of Florida. My website is linked off of the World Massage Festival website, Young Living Essential Oils Darcy Neibaur. In 2010, I am talking Integrative Reflexology with Claire Marie Miller. She has been highly recommended to me and she teaches a bit different style I understand. She also teaches Hand Reflexology which I have not had in my 32 hours with the International Institute of Reflexology. worldmassagefestival.com.
Ruth M. Schopper-Hughes said:

Hi. Are you nationally certified? Do you have a website? I also took classes in the Ingram method.

Darcy Neibaur BS LMT NCTMB said:
I took my Reflexology from the International Institute of Reflexology. They teach the original Ingram Method. I was taught to begin with the left foot. Complete the left foot and then wrap it in hot twels and go to the right foot and do the same. I think I would get too confused going back and forth.

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Rogers on October 30, 2009 at 1:09am

I follow my intuition. Sometimes I do one foot, then the other and other times I alternate. Each client and each session is different. I enjoy learning from other Reflexologists about their techniques. There is so much information out there!

Permalink Reply by Beth A. King on October 31, 2009 at 12:11pm

The advantage to alternating would be to work one reflex on both feet, then the next, then the next, rather than "going back" and maybe "unbalancing" things later -- at least, that's how I seem to understand it.

Ruth M. Schopper-Hughes said:

I start on the left foot and do it entirely, then switch. It seems to flow better for me that way. I have never tried alternating. Is there an advantage to alternating?

Permalink Reply by Beth A. King on October 31, 2009 at 12:12pm

Dougan's book is where I saw the mention of alternating :) I also like how she ties it in to the Chinese meridian theory -- makes sense!

Catherine Roe said:

Initially, I was taught to treat one foot completely and then the other, like you were. Then I did a training with Ingrid Dougans in person from the International School of Reflexology and Meridians Therapy who recommends to alternate.

I now use my own intuition depending on the client, the symptoms and the treatment plan.

Catherine
www.dublin-massage-therapy.com