Is Reflexology a form of Massage?

This is a frequently asked question by consumers and bodyworkers. In short the answer is no - Reflexology is a form of bodywork, specifically a form of pressure point therapy, but is not massage.

One of the differences between massage and Reflexology is the training: massage therapists are trained to employ hand, arm and elbow techniques across the entire body while a Reflexologist is trained to employ very specific finger and thumb techniques on the feet, hands and/or ears.

Another key difference is the intention of the modalities: massage seeks to relax muscles and manipulate tissues; Reflexology seeks to bring homeostasis to every organ, gland and body part. Reflexology works through the central nervous system to work on the inside of the body while massage works on the muscles and tissues to affect the outside of the body.

If you are looking for a qualified Reflexologist in Massachusetts that meets or exceeds the national education standards for Reflexology in the United States visit our directory of members.

MAR Board Meeting

The Massachusetts Association of Reflexology will be conducting their quarterly board meeting on Sunday, October 19th in Marlborough. Members of MAR are welcome to attend the meeting. For details contact MAR.

Cranio Sacral Class Graduation

Four Massachusetts Reflexologists participated in the first U.S. graduating class from the Cranio Sacral Reflexology Institute in May 2008.

They are: back row (left to right) 3rd Ellen Hunter of Northfield, 4th Cecelia Bennett of Cambridge, 5th Barbara Strassman of Sharon, 7th Kathleen (Kate) Melvin of Malden.

The students started with the prerequisite of being a professional Reflexologist and took all three levels of Cranio Sacral Reflexology over a four year period.

Stay tuned for details of classes in CSR coming to Massachusetts Spring 2009. For more information on Dr. Martine Faure-Alderson and her method visit her website.

Two Thousand Happy Feet = New Guiness World Record

On July 1st, 2008 the Taiwan Tourism Bureau reported that 2,000 people, tourists and reflexologists, successfully participated in the largest gathering of foot reflexology to date. Held in Taipei in association with several Taiwan Reflexology Associations the goal was to beat the previous Guinness World Record of 448 people receiving reflexology for five minutes. This group participated in a full 40 minute reflexology session preceded by Qigong demonstrations and a drumming performance. Read the article in the Taipei Times.

Father Josef Eugster, a Catholic priest, has been teaching Taiwanese Reflexology techniques for the past 25 years. Several of our MAR members are certified and trained in this specific style of foot reflexology. To find a FJM Practitioner near you contact Irina Breslav at www.fjmreflexology.com or by phone at 203-968-6824.

Introduction to Su Jok Therapy

One of our members will be speaking at the Theosophical Society in Boston later this month on Su Jok Therapy, a Korean style of Hand Reflexology.

Introduction to “Su Jok” Reflexology
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 7 TO 8:30 PM upstairs room
with Deyan Vasilev, 857-413-9074,smiledeyanvasilev@yahoo.com
Underpinning the “Onnuri” medicine is the body of principles
common to all philosophy, notably the Homo-Hetero theory,
Triunit theory (Neutro, Hetero and Homo), Six-Origin theory
(Six-Ki theory, emotion and reason theories), Eight-Origins
theory, and M-particle theory. By virtue of the fact that the
word ONNURI intrinsically carries the meaning of what can
be described as the “whole world,” the notion of Onnuri
medicine would involve any number of therapies developed
on the basis of the above mentioned theories. Donation:
$10/$5 TS members. THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION ONLY
TO THIS FORM OF REFLEXOLOGY. Individual
treatments need to be scheduled with the practitioner.
Deyan has attended the New Bulgarian University-Bachelor in
Environmental Protection-and the National Comprehensive
High School “Sofia” Health Prophylaxis with Natural
Remedies.

For driving directions and details on the Theosophical Society visit their website.

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