Cleaning the feet

[aabseotonsvrn]

A couple of weeks ago we had to practice our Reflexology routine on our tutor, during the cleaning of the feet stage, our tutor said you have to hold the foot with one hand and clean the foot with the other hand. I'm slightly confused because our massage teacher had said to us to only use one hand when cleaning the feet to stop cross spreading of bacteria etc. Just like to hear your views and what you would suggest? In my opinion, I would hold the feet with one hand to support, because of health and safety possibly, but I do understand at the same time what they mean by cross infection. x

 

[AlanPalazola]

Hi there Aye, If you wash your hands before you clean the feet any germs will be from the client and unless they have some infectious skin condition on one foot and not the other, i can't see what infection you would be crossing over that would do any harm. If you must listen to anyone, then listen to you Reflexology tutor, he/she is the one trying to get you through the exam at the end of the day. Once you pass however, it's up to you what you do!
It's common sense really!

 

[spakkat]

Our class has been taught to have two cotton wool pads, one in each hand, and clean the foot with both hands at the same time. This gets round the problem. As for supporting the foot, we are using couches so there is no need to rest the feet on anything as the couch is already supporting the feet.

Hope this helps.

 

[The Reindeer]

Hi,

We weren't told we had to clean feet before a treatment unless we felt there was a need.

Personally I would feel insulted if the practitioner felt my feet were so dirty that he/she had to clean them! I do realise that not all people are fastidious regarding their personal hygiene though most will wash their feet prior to their appointment. Why not simply ask them to do this?

Cotton wool and water would not prevent any infection anyway so I feel it is a waste of time unless the weather or room is hot and it may then be useful to freshen up.

If someone has an infection on their feet surely you would not treat them? Or simply avoid the area. Cleaning products simply oppose the purpose of the treatment where we are trying to detox the body. Adding chemicals will negate some of the benefits of the treatment. I only use organic products in order to ensure I do not undo any good I have done.

Regards

Maggie

 

[jieciuceiybirleoh]

I always make a comment to my new clients when cleaning their feet that its more about dusting off any grains of sand etc, so that they dont rub their feet when doing treatment.......it always goes down well rather than them thinking i think they have dirty feet!!

 

[SemandXX]

In my opinion, I wouldn't get offended if they wanted to clean my feet, but then again i'm a student, and understand that I might have sweaty feet, but I can understand your points of view, why clean the feet when, if you are a massaging someone you wouldn't clean them too. But during massage we also clean a clients feet before we start too.

 

[oxxcphyg]

I clean the feet in both Reflexology and Massage. The clients tend to enjoy it, and are not insulted by it. I believe that they feel its the 'start' of the treatment, and as has been suggested, that any specks of dirt that might cause uncomfortableness are wiped off.
I hold the bottom of the heel, and clean with either surgical spirit, if doing massage or baby wipes for reflexology.

Hope this helps

 

[Aamir Zaka Buttar]

We had to wear gloves and clean the clients feet with either antibacterial wipes or surgical spirit. All of my clients have not minded as if you do this they can see you have clean practices and are less likely to pass on any sort of germs from a previous client. We wore the gloves because until we checked the feet for contraindications we didn't know if they had fungal or viral infections which we could get on our own skin. Once the feet were cleansed we took off the gloves, applied the oils or creams and started the treatment. My Mum was paranoid, even if she'd just washed her feet I had to wipe them over with antibacterial wipes incase they smelled!
Claire

 

[SorAleuaie]

If a therapist tried to put surgical spirit on my feet I would leave! That is terrible stuff for the skin. Why surgical spirit? I am a nurse and we NEVER use that in any treatments at work. It is too drying. I suppose it may be an ingredient in some things but we never use it neat. Guitarists use it to harden their skin. Why would anyone want to harden the skin on the feet? Why are these tutors advocating this?

People have become too obsessed by cleanliness. No wonder nobody has any resistance left.

 

[neumnSeique]

I have to agree with Mog on this. IMO, I think the use of gloves and surgical spirit is a little extreme. If you feel the need to clean or wipe a clients feet before a treatment then a simple antiseptic wipe would suffice.

 

[unoriginalady]

I used to walk a lot and I used surgical spirit on my feet to harden them.

I tend to use baby wipes and just say I'm freshening up the feet.

 

[InfonewNuncari]

Hi ya

I agree with Mog, we as a society are completely obsessed with cleaniness. No wonder there is so many people with OCD.

Personally I clean my clients feet in a bowl of warm water with fresh limes or lemons. Both cleansing and deodourising and the fruit can be composed, unlike wipes. It makes it fun for both the client and practitioner, first part of the treatment to gain rapport and stimulate circulation (especially with a good rub down with a towel). This is also professional in terms of cleaniness, when you consider the wonderful cleansing and anti-microbial properties of lemons and limes, and of course working with mother nature rather than working against it. As for rubber gloves, unless there is a serious infection problem, what a load of rubbish. What's next - a quick spray down before a kiss or the shaking of hands??!!

Best Wishes

Reiki Pixie

 

[Bowlinda]

Lemon or Limes sounds lovely and what a great way to start the treatment with them soaking their feet!

I'm going to give this a go!

 

[campus cutie 09]

In the summer I have three sorts of drinking water on offer - a jug with lime, a jug with lemon and a third with cucumber. Reiki Pixie - thank you! Now I know what to do with the left overs - what a lovely idea!

As for surgical spirit! I would run a mile too. I never use rubber gloves. We are offering reflexology and massage - not barrier nursing! I have to agree with Mog - people have become obsessed by cleanliness. So much has changed over the 30 years I have been a therapist - and I am not so sure some of the changes are for the best. What has happened to common sense???

Slightly off topic, but with regard to rubber gloves, a few years ago I treated myself to a cut and blow dry at a 'swanky' London hair salon. I was positioned very comfortably in a reclining chair, and the water was applied at a perfect temperature - and then I shouted! The male 'junior' who was washing my hair was wearing Marigolds - he had got my hair wet, and then started stroking my hair to get the water through to the roots. The pain was excrutiating! I told him to stop and take off the gloves. He said that he couldn't, as it was salon procedure.......... I refused to let him touch me, asked to see the manager, who ended up washing my hair - ungloved!! I didn't stay for the 'cut' - they just dried it and I left, without paying - they probably couldn't wait for me to leave!

 

[caramelcappuccino]

Hi ya all

I'm glad you like the idea of the use of fresh lemons.

It's the way to go in reflexology!

I got the idea while studying in Thailand. But in most Thai foot massage sessions they use soap and scrubbing brushes while soaking the feet, which is ideal in a culture where people wear sandals or flip-flops. In our culture we are more likely be socked and shod, so just a foot soak and fruit cleanse should be fine.

Cheers

Reiki Pixie

 

[Phantom]

I have

 

[amarugian]

I always have to ask (and have done here before) what the colleges rationale is for using surgical spirit. I say...show me the research based reasons for using ss.

I have never, ever had a reflexologist use anything other than a small freshen up wipe. I would go ape-shi* if someone put ss near my feet or any other harsh chemical medium.

I use 2 facecloths soaked in really hot water and essential oils (always do a check re eo's are o.k. with client first). The cloths are boil washed and tumble dried afterwards, they are then popped in a bag with the clients name and kept in my cabinet with my consultation files. I use two towels under my clients feet, one for drying the feet I have just cleansed which I then remove and underneath is the fresh towel for covering and keeping warm the foot I am not working on at the time.

I have to agree with Reiki-Pixie and the rest re surgical spirit use and this almost ocd mentality re cleansing the feet.....why do the colleges advise this...that's what I want to know.

Just a thought.....do all the people who are paranoid about touching clients feet or bodies take their own sheets and towels to any hotels they are booked into? Just think how many bodies have touched them before!! and hairdressers too, how many scalps have those towels been round?



Patchouli

 

[victoria d]

I only use the SS when doing a massage - its how I was taught, but I guess, you guys are right! I have never used gloves - think I'd find it rather impersonal, as well as being OTT.
Loved the cloth & EO idea, brilliant! The citrus is a good idea too - maybe I shall be overhauling my practices......

 

[wdfcolgl]

In our course (AoR accredited) we weren't even told about cleaning the feet.

If someone does have particularly smelly feet, which isn't actually that often, then I just give them a quick wipe with some babywipes.

At the end of every treatment I use anti-bacterial gel on my hands, the type that dries very quickly.

 

[Zaylenn]

My Reflexology course was AoR Accredited, and we were taught to use baby wipes at the start of each treatment.
It was my massage course where i was taught to clean the feet with SS.

I only use anti-bac hand gel if doing an 'event', ie where I cant get to use a hand basin (soap and hot water). I find the hand gel really dries out my hands.