You may wonder why I always ask how you are when I see you for a treatment. It is not just because I am polite; it is important that I know how you are feeling both physically and emotionally.
Are there any health changes?
Have you changed your medication?
Are there any significant life changes, dietary changes etc?
When you initially contact me we discuss on the phone your reason for seeking a treatment. For your first appointment you complete a consultation form and from that we discuss your physical and mental health and your expectations so that I can tailor the treatment accordingly. I explain that, as a complementary therapist, I do not claim to cure and I do not diagnose but it is important that I do know about any existing health conditions and prescribed medication.
As a member of a number of Professional Bodies and for my insurance cover, I am required to adhere to their Guidelines and Codes of Practice and Ethics. As such, there are some circumstances where a reflexology treatment, for example, is not suitable. Our professional bodies provide a list of “Contraindications” where we would not be permitted to give a treatment, or where we would need further information before we can treat, but with caution. For those reasons it is important that you disclose any conditions prior to each treatment. Recently, I had a client booked in for an appointment but was then unable to treat them as they were currently undergoing medical treatment for a condition listed in our contraindications where I cannot give a reflexology treatment, in this instance Deep Vein Thrombosis. This was disappointing for my client and also used an appointment that could be available for someone else.
On a related point, I am frequently asked at the end of a treatment “What did you find?” and then the client proceeds to disclose for example, that they have severe back pain, gall stones or something equally serious and uncomfortable, but didn’t tell me before the treatment to see if I would find it. Although as a reflexologist we often feel areas of “congestion”, a little like a massage therapist may feel a knot, if you make me aware at the start of the session, I can use different techniques to target the area of concern.
So, if in doubt, please contact me prior to your appointment to discuss.
And please, always disclose any medical conditions and provide updates on medication, at the start of each appointment.
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