can i have some advice please

[sal]

hi all
can anyone give me the benifit of their experience please?
during college we were always told not to work the reproductive reflexes when a women is on her period and i have stuck to this since i started work, but another therapist at work who gained her diploma many years ago but has not practiced for a long time and is actually working as a beauty therapist now has told one of my clients (who happens to be another member of staff) that it is perfectly fine to work these reflexes during this time and promtly worked these areas for her after i had given her a treatment. this has upset me a bit because i am the only reflexologist working at the spa and i wouldnt dream of telling someone elses client about a beauty treatment i didnt no anything about.
also this other therapist keeps telling potential clients that my pressure is too light and i cant possiably gain any info with out it being harder, sometimes i feel that this therapist is "ganging up" with the other therapist (my client) towards me, they are both very strong minded and dont seem to want to listen to what i have to say.

am i being over sensitive?
can i work the reproductive reflexes whilst a woment is on her period?
and how hard should my pressure be? ( i think its fine)

any help that anyone can give me would be great

thanks maria

 

[I ? Nutella]

Hi, I can't answer your question as i have only just begun my reflexology course. However the other night our tutor told us to check if our 'client' was on her period and if she was to only work the pitutary (?) gland once. This suggests to me that it is wise to tread carefully.
Also, I read recently that pressure should not be so hard as to cause pain or discomfort. Hardly relaxing and also it would cause the client to tense making it difficult to work the specific areas.
AnywayI just wanted to say that your colleagues behaviour isn't right. Its not professional but more importantly it is very disrespectful. I would feel exactly as you do. I wish i could be of more technical help but I would consider having a chat with a manager maybe, or even the lady herself. Perhaps a firm warning about client confidentiality would do it?
I sincerely hope you are able to rectify this situation, it must make your working day miserable. You sound a lovely, considerate therapist!
[sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]
lots of love

Dixie

 

[Gabby Jolene]

hI Lotus flower,
I have nearly finished my diploma in reflexology and have never been told not to work the reproductive system when a women has a period, also from a personal point of veiw i have found working the reproductive system has been of great benefit to me during a period.
However i do feel for you, if another therapist does not agree withyou surely they would be better discussing itwith you than talking to your clientbehindyour back. As to your pressure surley that is a personal thing and you should ask your client how the pressure is for them. I do feel you, it must be very frustrating for you having another therapist talking to your client behind your back, try to talk to the therapist and vocalise your frustrations to her may be she does not realise what she is doing. hope you resolve your situation.
Rach. x

 

[Colette~]

Hi Lotus flower

Your colleague is being very unprofessional and disrespectful, it seems to me that she isn't feeling very confident herself, otherwise she wouldn't need to do things like this.

As for the pressure, on my course last year we were told to use fairly firm pressure generally, but this year I am doing an advanced course at a different place with a different tutor and we are encouraged to use a much lighter pressure. To me, it still gives a reallylovely (and effective) treatment, but when we practice on each other I can't take too light apressure myself due to very ticklish feet! Hope this helps.

Sandra x

 

[Feliss]

Hi Lotus Flower,

I tend to use caution when treating a woman who is on her period. I will only work over the areas very lightly, using hardly any pressure and sometimes just holding the points at the same time (linking). I find that this generally helps women who experience painful and irregualr periods as it tends to bring about balance of the hormones. However, I dofeel that caution should be exercised when using these reflexes during a womans period, as too much stimulation and pressure can sometimes increase menstrual flow (which i have found when treating two seperate women, as they did not tell me they were menstruating and i did use some moderate pressure on their reproductive reflexes. They found that their periods were heavier and lasted a few days longer than usual).

I strongly disagree with the unprofessional way in which this therapist has conducted herself! She is undermining you and should not be feeding your client conflicting information.
You are entitled to work in the way in which you have been taught, and within your own comfort zone. If you don't feel comfortable treating these reflexes when a woman is on her period, then that is your right not to. I also feel that if you think the pressure you have been using is sufficient, then thats fine. You are the reflexologist and its up to you to decide the way in which you conduct your treatments.

Try not to let this therapist bother you too much. She is the one who looks unprofessional, and clients will notice this.

Kate xxx

 

[Mr McGoo]

thank you all so much for your advice its helped me a lot.
i no the pressure i use is fine and i should stick to what i no and what i feel comfortable with and not let this women get to me, after all she isnt a holistic therapist any more and hasnt been for a very long time, this is why i love this forum every one is so helpful and understanding

thank you [sm=1kis.gif]
maria x

 

[Have Compassion]

Itreat these reflexes whilst the client is having a period. I almost always do. The aim of Reflexology is to bring about balance, so working these reflexes can bring benefit. If the client suffers from troublesome periods then how the heck are you suppose to treat it effectively if you don't work the reproductives, endocrine system included of course.

However, it's important to treat your client as an individual and monitor how the treatment effects them personally. Isn't this what holistic therapy is all about. You just can't treat every client the same. If your treatment is having a detrimental effect then it's time to rethink how you treat the reflexes, so then you might want to leave some things out.

If the clients reflexes are unusually painfully, then use firm pressure but don't overwork them.

As for the pressure thing, I think that again, each client is individual and you need to tailor your pressure for each one. Some of my clients are really sensitive and to use deep pressure would be distressing for them. Whilst others, well I could use a jack hammer and they wouldn't flinch.

I think that your 'colleague' is bang out of order. What a cheek!

I do believe though that you sometimes have to use deeper pressure on some areas if there are imbalancesto work them effectively, but I don't believe in grinding your thumb into someones foot if it's agony for them. If I were the client I wouldn't come back!

The impotant thing is if your treatments are effective and your clients like you and keep coming back then you must be doing itright, and [:'(]to your 'colleague'!!