Working as a reflexologist has been one of the most rewarding parts
of my life other than watching the accomplishments of my children unfold. Up until 1968 I
had worked as a Cosmetologist while caring for my six children. In September 1968 I was in
a terrible, life-threatening motorcycle accident. My husband and I were on our way home
when a car came around a curve and hit us. I had multiple compound fractures to the left
leg and pelvic region, a crushed right hand, broken arm and elbow, broken ribs, and
paralysis to the left side of my face and neck. I hade internal injuries and bruises to my
kidney. The doctor’s prognosis was amputation of the left leg and right hand and they
gave little hope of any recovery. I remained in a coma for approximately six weeks, and
during that time gangrene set in a portion of my leg. Well, six months later, nine
operations on my leg and two to the hand finally gave me the results that I was hoping
for. The doctor was still skeptical that I would ever walk without a brace or some other
means of support, but I knew that I would be whole again. It took three years before I
would experience full recovery and be able to walk without crutches or a cane.
My life changed dramatically after the accident. It was as though I had been reborn into a
sharper awareness of the value of my existence here. The new understanding of
how magnificent my body was and how it was capable of restoring itself after the
abuse and trauma that had been done to it was quite a revelation to me. I was not only
healed physically but emotionally as well. Something spiritual happened to me as I lay
there in that hospital bed for so long. I began to know God personally. When I woke up, it
was as though I was already healed, and all I had to do was wait for the
process of the healing of my body to take place. On several occasions I heard the
expression, “when you know that you know, that you know,” it became very
clear to me, because I knew that I knew that I would be whole again. There was no doubt
what so ever. However, convincing the doctor and my family of this certainty was another
story.
Each time a surgery seemed to have failed, amputation of my leg was discussed; but I stood
firm. I would tell the doctor to try again. I knew that the answer was there and that he
would find the formula that was right for me. Eventually my recovery was truly miraculous.
Since then I have ran in 5K and 10K runs to help raise funds for charities, and up until a
couple of years ago, I was a pitcher on my church softball team. I love snow skiing,
tennis, golf, and rock climbing. I think some of my children would like to be as active as
I am.
Also, because of my experience I became aware of the importance of bodywork. I learned to
love having my body worked on. I have been pummeled, pressed, pulled, walked over, and
more. I’ve had treatments ranging from the traditional Swedish massage to a petroleum
jelly massage under running water. I’ve experienced bodywork done with aromatherapy,
crystal healing, and Shiatsu. The one method that stood out for me, however, was
reflexology.
Reflexology is a science based upon a complete system of internal body
“controls” that deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the
hands and feet which corresponds to all of the glands, organs, and parts of the
body. Reflexology is a unique method of using the thumbs and fingers on these reflex
areas. When properly applied to the appropriate “control points,” a vibration of
healing energy is released to heal, to relieve all pain, and to remove the symptoms as
well as the causes of illness. This reflex system of controls encompasses the entire body
and mind, releasing all kinds of tensions, congestions, and maladjustments.
There is a similarity between reflexology and the ancient art of acupuncture. It has been
known and used in many parts of India and the Orient as acupressure; in this form, finger
pressure is applied rather than inserting of needles into the body.
The reflexology system works similar to a computer made by man only more efficiently and
more accurately. You might consider it as having a divine intelligence within us that
works automatically, constantly on the alert, constantly making repairs,
corrections, necessary changes, growing, eliminating the old to rebuild with new.
In my studies of reflexology, I have created a system that uses the full body, not
just the hands and feet. I have put together a training manual called Full-Body
Reflexology: An Illustrated Guide. My goal is to teach, professionals and lay people
how to apply pressure and to eat right to maintain a healthier life style. I feel a need
to teach responsibility and direction to a pill-oriented “cut it out, who
needs tonsils anyway”, society. As we become more knowledgable about health,
exercise, and nutrition, bodywork therapies are seen as useful and affordable tools for
achieving and maintaining physical and emotional well being.
The results I have seen are too amazing to discount. Once I administered reflexology and
massage to a patient who had had surgery to remove a portion of her lung and
had become respirator-dependent. Within one week she was able to breathe without
the respirator up to seven hours daily; and, within two weeks, she was
breathing independently up to twelve hours and sometimes more. By the third week she
was transferred to another hospital because she no longer needed the respirator and
would soon be able to go home.
While receiving a good reflexology session, a person usually falls into a mental-physical
state, retracing past experiences which are difficult to describe. As pressure
is applied to each reflex point, the patient will usually respond
immediately. It could be described as being like entering a special room which
until now has been locked and hidden away, a room the very existence of which is
likely to be familiar only to those who practice some form of meditation.
By itself this state is a gift. In its essence Full Body Reflexology is quite simple. It
makes us more whole, more fully aware of what is taking place in our lives.
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