why reflexology for foot pain?

I was trained as a massage therapist and have spent the last 25 years trying to better understand the body with a focus on the feet. Because of this my approach to reflexology is based more on the structures of the foot and how reflexes and foot tension/shape relate to your whole body.

My work is not often as painful as you might suppose, I tend to focus on allowing the structures of tendon and ligaments to melt with specific pressure and techniques I have picked up through the years.

Suggested protocol to eliminate foot pain

Weekly sessions for 3-6 weeks

Followed by bi weekly session for 1-2 months

Followed by tune ups as necessary

Remember your body and feet grew into a shape over the years and we are returning it to a healthy shape again, but it will want to go back if you do not continue exercises and routine maintenance.

foot pain sucks

Below are some foot exercises to add to your daily routine to help wake up and stretch the plantar fascia, the calf muscles, and all of the many foot muscles.

Throughout my “thoughts on stuff” page you will find other sources of information on shoes, more exercises and research. Please utilize and practice.

Foot pain didn’t just arrive one day, even if it feels like it. It may (probably will) take weeks or months to figure out the source of the dis - function and to get back to “normal”.

The more I work with foot pain clients the more I see and understand that many times foot pain originates higher up in the knees, hips or low back. Many times in a session with me I will work further up the chain to reduce tension and expedite healing.

While I do not bill insurance directly I can easily provide a super bill so you can seek reimbursement.

foot exercises

The following are a list of exercises I suggest all people do all the time, however they are especially helpful to those experiencing foot pain to stretch the muscles and strengthen the foot structures. If you come to me for a session do to foot pain, these are your exercises. Everyone else can throw them in once in a while to maintain healthy, happy feet.

The 4 most important ways to move your foot are:

Ankle circles: slowly rotate the ankle in both directions 10-15 times. Ankle circles stretch and strengthen all the major muscles that move your foot and will release tension from overuse, standing, exercise, and lack of use (sitting). Really great to do before getting out of bed to warm up the feet before putting weight on them.

Point and flex: slowly point your foot as much as you can, gently hold this extreme for 2 seconds, release. Flex your foot as much as you can, again hold at this extreme for 2 seconds and repeat 10-15 times per foot. If you find yourself starting to cramp, gently ease off and reverse movement and with the next repetition do not go to such an extreme.

Inversion and eversion: slowly rotate the arch of the foot towards your head and hold this movement for 2 seconds. Then reverse motion so the arch faces away. I like to call this one “conducting the orchestra” as the movement in the foot resembles arm movements used in conducting. Again repeat this exercise 10-15 times and if your foot is starting to cramp gently ease off and reverse the movement.

Calf Stretching: the easiest calf stretch is to lean against the wall putting one leg back until you have a nice stretch in your calf muscles. Straighten and lengthen the leg to get the deeper soleus muscle.

Another option could be holding on to the railing of the stairs, drop your heel off the stair and allow calf muscles to stretch. Hold for 10 seconds then raise up on to your tippy toes (to reset the muscles) and slowly drop down again into a stretch. Repeat this process slowly moving in and out of active stretch 5-10 times. Please be very careful to not overstretch with this.

ABC: Spell the alphabet with each foot to get all the above movements in. I like to do this while watching TV.