Can anyone explain this please ?
I have a query which I hope someone may be able to explain.
I used to have reflexology fairly regulary. Last year my reflexologist was feeling my feet before she started the session and came upon a protrusion near my ankle. She asked if I was pregnant - I said I didn't know - as I seemed to havehad a normal period a few weeks before (althoughI do know you can have a period whilst pregnant - which she seemed to think might have happened). She said this protrusion either meant I was pregnant or had a tilted uterus. She said she didn't think it was the latter as she's never felt it before in my feet. She didn't do a normal reflexology session on me "just in case" I was pregnant but did some lighter less invasive strokes suitable for pregnant women. A few days afterwards I started to feel nauseous and had a metallic taste in my mouth so thought I definitely must be pregnant. However my period came as normal and when I did a pregnancy test it was negative. When I saw her next the protrusion near my ankle had gone. Can anyone give an explanation for this as although it was last year I'm still a bit baffled.
Thank you.
Answers:
Hi Bluebellbelle.
To me it seems a little bit harsh that your therapist would say something like that to you, because on the whole as a profession we are not trained to diagnose.
I'm not sure how much you know about reflex but the area around your ankles correspond to the fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries. It is possible that the area she felt might have been due to your period coming. It could be that she had never treated you at that time of the month before so she didn't feel it before.
Don't let it worry you and don't let it put you off. I have felt bubbles in one of my clients feet before, also in her ankle region. We managed to put it down to ovulation as we knew she couldn't be pregnant.
Take care. I hope this helped a bit.
Claire.
x x
Answers:
Hi Claire,
Thanks for your reply. She did seem fairly certain that I was pregnant though and seemed genuinely surprised when I wasn't. I wasn't ovulating at the time (wasn't the right time of the month and I usually have other symptoms mid month) and she said it wasn't an indication that my period was due. I used to have reflexology fairly regularly (sometimes every week) so she was fairly used to my feet. The way she described it was like a "finger like protrusion" on both my ankles that is only felt on women that are pregnant or have a tilted uterus (she used another word for tilted but I can't remember it). She also said that with a tilted uterus this protrusion is almost always there - whereas she had never felt it before on my ankles. After my period had come and gone this protrusion went down (and has never come back). She was so concerned when she felt this protrusion that,as I mentioned before, she didn't do the proper reflexology and didn't do the usual VRT.
It's still abit of a mystery to be honest. [sm=scratchchin.gif]
Answers:
Well I'm a bit concerned that your Reflexologist told you these things. It's all well and good to ask a client if they might be pregnant,,but to say they're pretty sure, or to say that you might have a tilted uterus is bang out of order and very unprofessional.Even if she wereright she shouldn't be telling you this. It's up to your doctor to find out.
Reflexology is about treatment and never diagnosis. If she had a concern then she should have suggested you see your doctor if you were concerned too.
Couldn't possibly comment on the lump as I don't know your details.
Sorry if I come across a bit miffed but it's not at you. It just pee's me off when I hear this sort of thing. [:'(]
Answers:
Absolutely, and this applies to all therapies. One should never diagnose or offer prognosis. Only suitably qualified medical professionals are allowed to diagnose. This thread is a good example of why it shouldn't be done.
Love and Reiki Hugs
Answers:
Hello again,
When I read your post (Susan52) I realised you weren't miffed with me. I do know that my uterus isn't tilted anyway (from a diagnostic op), so that's OK. However I had been trying to get pregnant so when she said she was very sure that I was pregnant I was so excited. Of course when I took the pregnancy test and it was negative I felt sick to my stomach and couldn't even go to work that day because I was so upset. The reflexologist had 5 children herself so may not have understood what it's like to desperately want a child.
Although she's a fully qualified reflexologist I don't see her anymore because my visits became increasingly stressful for me. I went there for relaxation but she was going through a very messy divorce and so when I went there I just had to listen to her problems all the time.Some days I actually used to come away feeling more stressed than when I went in, so it became a waste of time andmoney for me. I never really found out whether the reflexology itself wasn't working anymore or whether it was because I had to listen to all her issues and tales of woe that caused the reflexology to become ineffectual. It was a shame beacuse I did initially find it very soothing and relaxing.
Answers:
Sounds like your reflexologist was totally unprofessional. We aren't all like that! She should certainly leave her problems at teh door, and not be bothering you with them. After all it's your time whilst having a treatment and if she felt she needed to talk to someone she should have found someone that was in a better position to talk to her about it. I hope this experience hasn't put you off reflex entirely, I'm sure if you found the right therapist for you it would be very beneficial.
And as Susan said, as a profession therapists are trained not to diagnose.
I hope you do get to the bottom of it eventually, and I'm sorry I couldn't be any more help, its the sort of thing I'd want to see before having any suggestions really. Have you seen your GP about it at all?
Good luck anyway.
Claire.
x x [sm=wave.gif]
Answers:
I hope that you're not put off reflexology, because of your experience. There are some very good therapists out there, so if you want to try some treatments with someone else, try to get a recommendation.
Lesley
Answers:
I would love to have reflexology again as I did enjoy it. The reflexologist I went to was fully qualified and was recommended by a friend who had been to her for maternity reflexology. Trouble is a I see a lot of therapists in the Yellow pageswho seem to do "everything" which puts me off slightly (this may be a bit unfair of me I know) as I tend to think "Jack of all trades etc". One reflexologist I spoke to (not the one I went to) didn't even know about VRT which was a bit worrying.
What should I look out for with another reflexologist (qualifications) ? As I mentioned before I don't know if the reflexology stopped working or if it was because I had to listen to all her problems.
Answers:
Assuming that they have a recognised qualification (AOR, ITEC, VTCT, etc.)and are properly insured), I believe the quality of your treatment will depend on the the professionalism and communication skills of the therapist you choose.
So when you call to make an appointment, assuming it's not in a clinic where you speak to a receptionist, have a chat with the therapist, ask them about their qualifications, experience, etc. Pretend you know nothing about reflexology and ask them to explain it to you. This will give you a good idea about the type of person they are and how well they communicate.
If in doubt, ring two or three and compare - hopefully you should get a feel for the right person.
Lesley
Answers:
I'm glad that this experience hasn't put you off and you're looking for another therapist. We're not all like this honest. As suggested, ask about their qualifications but there is so much more to a good therapist than where they trained.
From what you say yourold Reflexologist seemed to be 'up there' with the knowledge and qualifications but had absolutely no clue how to behave in a professional manner. Pouring out her problems to you was a definate no no. This should be your time and your special time to relax. The therapist should treat you as a whole person physical, mental and spiritual, not just a pair of feet andyou shouldn't have to pay to listen to other peoples problems.
As Aromababe says quote:
'I believe the quality of your treatment will depend on the the professionalism and communication skills of the therapist you choose.'
Try not to let the fact that someoneis practicing other therapies put you off as this may just be that they want to vary their work and to give the public the services they want. To be honest some therapists can't earn a decent living just doing one therapy, me being one of them!!
I suppose the only true way of finding a good Reflexologist is trial and error if you don't 'click' move on 'til you're happyand find someone who you like and remember what I said about them treating you as awhole person, infact I'd ask them what the word 'holistic' means, if they don't know then I'd be wary.So good luck. There are a lot of goodReflexologist out there, hope you find one. ;)
Answers:
Hi
Please don't be put off, I agree that the therapist was unprofessional and unfortunately this does happen from time to time. It is important to check out their qualifications.
Good luck and I hope you find a good one again.
Pindy XXX [sm=angel_sm029.gif]
Answers:
I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience. As has always been said, a reflexologist should nevrer diagnose and should never offer false hope, specially when that hope is so important to you. I've experienced swelling in those areas when the client is about to come on, when menopause is coming, when the client is stressed, even when the client has found they've had a mild bladder infection (I can only presume it's had a knock on on the uterus for them). Some findings can be indicative of certain ailments, however, nothing is certain - you can only really attribute a particular thing to an imbalance in an area.
I would say give yourself time, when you feel ready, look them for another reflexologist and to take the advice given with regards interviewing the reflexologist and checking out their qualifications. If you have an concerns, you can always mentioned them here and we can probably give you support in them.
As an aside, I'm one o the jack of all trade therapists. I am one of those simply because I take a firm stand on professional development and have found that each subject I have studied has improved my client interaction, understanding of concepts, principles and illness and given me new insights to help my clients. There is some power in being able to pick and choose your therapy to suit your clients specific needs and to be able to support them in a range of areas, not just during the treatment, but also in diagnostic skills and offering appropriate aftercare advice.
Answers:
Ditto
I also feel you can combine some treatments in that I occassionally combine aromatherapy, reflexology and reiki, depending on client needs. I also have done Hopi candles with a MLD face massage and finish off with reflex of say, the face/sinus/ears/eustachianiary tube areas in a client who has had a heavy cold recently.
Answers:
Poor you, Bluebellbelle. There is no way a reflexologist should make pronouncements such as these. On occasion I've noticed changes in a client's feet and wondered if she could be pregnant, but as the others say here they could be lots of reasons why things feel different. I would not DREAM of asking if they were pregnant. It is not our business on one hand to make what sounds dangerously like a diagnosis to me, and on the other it is insensitive.
Answers:
Everyone is right, I am only training at the moment and it has been said time and time again do not diagnose a condition ! I hope i will be professional and helpful when I qualify, to pour out your own situations to a client when they have come to you for a treatment is beyond belief, I honestly would feel really let down if that was me. I hope you have found new more professional reflexologist by now ! take care luv suex
I used to have reflexology fairly regulary. Last year my reflexologist was feeling my feet before she started the session and came upon a protrusion near my ankle. She asked if I was pregnant - I said I didn't know - as I seemed to havehad a normal period a few weeks before (althoughI do know you can have a period whilst pregnant - which she seemed to think might have happened). She said this protrusion either meant I was pregnant or had a tilted uterus. She said she didn't think it was the latter as she's never felt it before in my feet. She didn't do a normal reflexology session on me "just in case" I was pregnant but did some lighter less invasive strokes suitable for pregnant women. A few days afterwards I started to feel nauseous and had a metallic taste in my mouth so thought I definitely must be pregnant. However my period came as normal and when I did a pregnancy test it was negative. When I saw her next the protrusion near my ankle had gone. Can anyone give an explanation for this as although it was last year I'm still a bit baffled.
Thank you.
Answers:
Hi Bluebellbelle.
To me it seems a little bit harsh that your therapist would say something like that to you, because on the whole as a profession we are not trained to diagnose.
I'm not sure how much you know about reflex but the area around your ankles correspond to the fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries. It is possible that the area she felt might have been due to your period coming. It could be that she had never treated you at that time of the month before so she didn't feel it before.
Don't let it worry you and don't let it put you off. I have felt bubbles in one of my clients feet before, also in her ankle region. We managed to put it down to ovulation as we knew she couldn't be pregnant.
Take care. I hope this helped a bit.
Claire.
x x
Answers:
Hi Claire,
Thanks for your reply. She did seem fairly certain that I was pregnant though and seemed genuinely surprised when I wasn't. I wasn't ovulating at the time (wasn't the right time of the month and I usually have other symptoms mid month) and she said it wasn't an indication that my period was due. I used to have reflexology fairly regularly (sometimes every week) so she was fairly used to my feet. The way she described it was like a "finger like protrusion" on both my ankles that is only felt on women that are pregnant or have a tilted uterus (she used another word for tilted but I can't remember it). She also said that with a tilted uterus this protrusion is almost always there - whereas she had never felt it before on my ankles. After my period had come and gone this protrusion went down (and has never come back). She was so concerned when she felt this protrusion that,as I mentioned before, she didn't do the proper reflexology and didn't do the usual VRT.
It's still abit of a mystery to be honest. [sm=scratchchin.gif]
Answers:
Well I'm a bit concerned that your Reflexologist told you these things. It's all well and good to ask a client if they might be pregnant,,but to say they're pretty sure, or to say that you might have a tilted uterus is bang out of order and very unprofessional.Even if she wereright she shouldn't be telling you this. It's up to your doctor to find out.
Reflexology is about treatment and never diagnosis. If she had a concern then she should have suggested you see your doctor if you were concerned too.
Couldn't possibly comment on the lump as I don't know your details.
Sorry if I come across a bit miffed but it's not at you. It just pee's me off when I hear this sort of thing. [:'(]
Answers:
Absolutely, and this applies to all therapies. One should never diagnose or offer prognosis. Only suitably qualified medical professionals are allowed to diagnose. This thread is a good example of why it shouldn't be done.
Love and Reiki Hugs
Answers:
Hello again,
When I read your post (Susan52) I realised you weren't miffed with me. I do know that my uterus isn't tilted anyway (from a diagnostic op), so that's OK. However I had been trying to get pregnant so when she said she was very sure that I was pregnant I was so excited. Of course when I took the pregnancy test and it was negative I felt sick to my stomach and couldn't even go to work that day because I was so upset. The reflexologist had 5 children herself so may not have understood what it's like to desperately want a child.
Although she's a fully qualified reflexologist I don't see her anymore because my visits became increasingly stressful for me. I went there for relaxation but she was going through a very messy divorce and so when I went there I just had to listen to her problems all the time.Some days I actually used to come away feeling more stressed than when I went in, so it became a waste of time andmoney for me. I never really found out whether the reflexology itself wasn't working anymore or whether it was because I had to listen to all her issues and tales of woe that caused the reflexology to become ineffectual. It was a shame beacuse I did initially find it very soothing and relaxing.
Answers:
Sounds like your reflexologist was totally unprofessional. We aren't all like that! She should certainly leave her problems at teh door, and not be bothering you with them. After all it's your time whilst having a treatment and if she felt she needed to talk to someone she should have found someone that was in a better position to talk to her about it. I hope this experience hasn't put you off reflex entirely, I'm sure if you found the right therapist for you it would be very beneficial.
And as Susan said, as a profession therapists are trained not to diagnose.
I hope you do get to the bottom of it eventually, and I'm sorry I couldn't be any more help, its the sort of thing I'd want to see before having any suggestions really. Have you seen your GP about it at all?
Good luck anyway.
Claire.
x x [sm=wave.gif]
Answers:
I hope that you're not put off reflexology, because of your experience. There are some very good therapists out there, so if you want to try some treatments with someone else, try to get a recommendation.
Lesley
Answers:
I would love to have reflexology again as I did enjoy it. The reflexologist I went to was fully qualified and was recommended by a friend who had been to her for maternity reflexology. Trouble is a I see a lot of therapists in the Yellow pageswho seem to do "everything" which puts me off slightly (this may be a bit unfair of me I know) as I tend to think "Jack of all trades etc". One reflexologist I spoke to (not the one I went to) didn't even know about VRT which was a bit worrying.
What should I look out for with another reflexologist (qualifications) ? As I mentioned before I don't know if the reflexology stopped working or if it was because I had to listen to all her problems.
Answers:
Assuming that they have a recognised qualification (AOR, ITEC, VTCT, etc.)and are properly insured), I believe the quality of your treatment will depend on the the professionalism and communication skills of the therapist you choose.
So when you call to make an appointment, assuming it's not in a clinic where you speak to a receptionist, have a chat with the therapist, ask them about their qualifications, experience, etc. Pretend you know nothing about reflexology and ask them to explain it to you. This will give you a good idea about the type of person they are and how well they communicate.
If in doubt, ring two or three and compare - hopefully you should get a feel for the right person.
Lesley
Answers:
I'm glad that this experience hasn't put you off and you're looking for another therapist. We're not all like this honest. As suggested, ask about their qualifications but there is so much more to a good therapist than where they trained.
From what you say yourold Reflexologist seemed to be 'up there' with the knowledge and qualifications but had absolutely no clue how to behave in a professional manner. Pouring out her problems to you was a definate no no. This should be your time and your special time to relax. The therapist should treat you as a whole person physical, mental and spiritual, not just a pair of feet andyou shouldn't have to pay to listen to other peoples problems.
As Aromababe says quote:
'I believe the quality of your treatment will depend on the the professionalism and communication skills of the therapist you choose.'
Try not to let the fact that someoneis practicing other therapies put you off as this may just be that they want to vary their work and to give the public the services they want. To be honest some therapists can't earn a decent living just doing one therapy, me being one of them!!
I suppose the only true way of finding a good Reflexologist is trial and error if you don't 'click' move on 'til you're happyand find someone who you like and remember what I said about them treating you as awhole person, infact I'd ask them what the word 'holistic' means, if they don't know then I'd be wary.So good luck. There are a lot of goodReflexologist out there, hope you find one. ;)
Answers:
Hi
Please don't be put off, I agree that the therapist was unprofessional and unfortunately this does happen from time to time. It is important to check out their qualifications.
Good luck and I hope you find a good one again.
Pindy XXX [sm=angel_sm029.gif]
Answers:
I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience. As has always been said, a reflexologist should nevrer diagnose and should never offer false hope, specially when that hope is so important to you. I've experienced swelling in those areas when the client is about to come on, when menopause is coming, when the client is stressed, even when the client has found they've had a mild bladder infection (I can only presume it's had a knock on on the uterus for them). Some findings can be indicative of certain ailments, however, nothing is certain - you can only really attribute a particular thing to an imbalance in an area.
I would say give yourself time, when you feel ready, look them for another reflexologist and to take the advice given with regards interviewing the reflexologist and checking out their qualifications. If you have an concerns, you can always mentioned them here and we can probably give you support in them.
As an aside, I'm one o the jack of all trade therapists. I am one of those simply because I take a firm stand on professional development and have found that each subject I have studied has improved my client interaction, understanding of concepts, principles and illness and given me new insights to help my clients. There is some power in being able to pick and choose your therapy to suit your clients specific needs and to be able to support them in a range of areas, not just during the treatment, but also in diagnostic skills and offering appropriate aftercare advice.
Answers:
Ditto
I also feel you can combine some treatments in that I occassionally combine aromatherapy, reflexology and reiki, depending on client needs. I also have done Hopi candles with a MLD face massage and finish off with reflex of say, the face/sinus/ears/eustachianiary tube areas in a client who has had a heavy cold recently.
Answers:
Poor you, Bluebellbelle. There is no way a reflexologist should make pronouncements such as these. On occasion I've noticed changes in a client's feet and wondered if she could be pregnant, but as the others say here they could be lots of reasons why things feel different. I would not DREAM of asking if they were pregnant. It is not our business on one hand to make what sounds dangerously like a diagnosis to me, and on the other it is insensitive.
Answers:
Everyone is right, I am only training at the moment and it has been said time and time again do not diagnose a condition ! I hope i will be professional and helpful when I qualify, to pour out your own situations to a client when they have come to you for a treatment is beyond belief, I honestly would feel really let down if that was me. I hope you have found new more professional reflexologist by now ! take care luv suex