By: Gloria Laing – RCRT, MARR

As bright spotlights are being put on Complementary Therapies and an increasing number of people are turning to natural solutions for their diseases, it becomes exponentially more important that Therapists and Associations continue to increase their education levels within their representative therapy.

In recent years, a new breed of Reflexology Therapist has begun to emerge in Canada. One who is keen to make Reflexology their career and is committed to bringing Reflexology up into the ranks of highly respected Therapies like Massage Therapy and Acupuncture. This therapist has spent countless hours beyond the Basic Foot Reflexology course they took in the beginning, researching on the internet, reading book after book, even taking further organized learnings such as Meridian Study. They likely have a website for their business, they have taken some sort of Professionalism workshop or are drawing from previous work experience, they have a clean and aesthetically pleasing treatment room that is a private and safe place for their clients to discuss their 3 levels of health, and they most likely have a charting system of some sort from which they can track and learn what works for their client and what does not.

And further to this new professional Reflexology Therapist, some Reflexology Therapists are choosing to Specialize in a particular area, such as ADHD, PTSD, Palliative, Cancer Care, Fertility & Maternity etc. They are seeking out highly proven Continued Education courses, at no small cost or convenience, so that they can more effectively work with clients who present with specific symptoms to expedite their healing processes, which once again brings Reflexology into a more positive light and into more a more respected standing in the Complementary Therapies Community.

Much like in the world of Conventional Medicine, the General Practitioner plays a vital and effective role in the first line of defense for health and wellness. However, once the patient is out of their scope of practice, they refer on to Oncology, Psychology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. It just makes ethical sense to work in the client’s best interest and protect the practitioner from any liability issues.

As Specializing in Reflexology in Canada becomes more commonplace, it will require General Practitioners to consider whether they are the therapist who is best equipped to deal with the symptoms their client is presenting with, or whether their client might be better served by a Reflexology Therapist who has trained in the most up to date and specific protocols for those symptoms. If we want to be recognized as a serious Therapy with professional Therapists we may need to set certain boundaries and if we do not fall within those boundaries we refer on, so that the client and our professionalism as Therapists is protected This exciting new option of Referring within the Reflexology Community allows us as a community to treat our clients more effectively and efficiently while reinforcing the efficacy of Reflexology to those who may be looking at our Therapy closely and deciding whether they are going to take Reflexology seriously, or not.

For a list of Reflexology Therapists with Specialties in your area, contact your local RAC Chapter.

“Gloria entered the world of Reflexology in 2012 after leaving her career as an Administrative Assistant to a team of Midwives in SE Manitoba. Innately drawn to the world of Women’s Health, Fertility and Maternity, Gloria sought out Continued Education Courses and did vigorous self study work in these specialties, and has been happily able to help numerous families to a successful result in their fertility journey as well as walk alongside them through Maternity and Birth as a Birth Support Reflexologist. Gloria is an RCRT and Member in good standing with the Reflexology Association of Canada and The Association of Reproductive Reflexologists. Gloria has a thriving Reflexology Practice in Landmark Manitoba. You can read more at www.glorialaing.com”