Welcome
Welcome to the Florida Association of Independent Reflexologists – FAIR. It is our intention to provide a site where you are updated about what is happening in the field of Reflexology, find a certified Reflexologist in your area, learn more about the benefits of Reflexology, and lastly, stay abreast of the legal and political environment in which Florida Reflexologists operate. It is FAIR’s intention to not only be a link to the Reflexology community in Florida and the United States, for providers and recipients) but also throughout the world. It is our goal to advance a quality, professional approach to Reflexology services provided in Florida. We are committed to supporting our membership by promoting education and training, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas, creating a network and referral system, and marketing the benefits of Reflexology to the general public.
We welcome your suggestions on how we can best serve you.
Just what is Reflexology?
The International Institute of Reflexology (IIR) located in St. Petersburg, Florida, provides this definition: “Reflexology is a science that deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all the glands, organs and parts of the body. Reflexology is a unique method of using the thumbs and fingers on these reflex areas.” Reflexology is a “reflection” or mirror-image of another part of the body. The feet (hands, ears and face) are a microcosm of the entire human body.
Some Reflexologists look beyond the physical body and incorporate the energetic body as well. They believe that the stimulation of acupressure points in the feet and hands help smooth the flow of Qi (pronounced Chee) energy.
Eastern medicine philosophy (Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM), suggests that a blockage in the Qi energy flow within the meridians is the root cause of any disease. In other words, energy pathways become congested first, and the physical body follows with disease symptoms. Western (allopathic) medicine treats physical symptoms and labels them as “diabetes,” or “high blood pressure,” etc., but does not address the “root” cause. The Eastern medicine practitioner (acupuncturist) sees the imbalances in the different systems, and rather than diagnosing it as “cancer,” “high cholesterol,” “bronchitis,” etc., deems the imbalance in that system as “Qi deficiency,” “Sinking Qi,” “Rebellious Qi,” and “Qi Stagnation.” TCM and Reflexology intermingle since the twelve meridians studied in TCM end or begin on the fingers and toes.
In the same manner as Eastern practitioners, Reflexologists see and interact with the body differently. They do not diagnose, nor treat for specific conditions. Unlike acupuncturists, however, Reflexologists use specific applications of acupressure with thumb and finger-walking, not needles, to engage the innate healing powers of the body “reflected” in the feet, hands, ears and/or face.
A Long History
Reflexology is NOT massage. Totally unique from other body and energy modalities, Reflexology has its own history, vocabulary, theories, and techniques separate from any other profession of touch therapy. Where massage treatments work directly on a particular area of the body to improve the soft tissue’s function, Reflexology is a therapy that works distally (at the farthest point away from the part being worked) on the afflicted area through the feet, hands, ears or face to facilitate relaxation, provide stress relief and improve circulation. For example, in the treatment of a migraine, a massage therapist would massage the client’s head. A Reflexologist stimulates the reflexes on and around the client’s toes, as well as other points in the foot that may serve as the root cause of the migraine.
Although unconventional by modern standards, Reflexology is not the “new kid on the block.” It has been around for 5000 years. Reflexology’s effectiveness and flexibility in providing welcome relief indirectly to body parts too sore, painful or sensitive to touch make it not only unique in body work, but preferable when it is wise to stay off an area of concern.
