Unlike a normal reflexology treatment which works on pressure points on your feet that correspond to organs and body systems, nerve reflexology focuses on the nervous system.
Vertical Reflex Therapy (VRT) is a powerful but brief reflexology technique that was discovered and developed by reflexologist Lynne Booth in the early 1990’s and is applied to the dorsal weight-bearing feet (or hands) and has been taught to over 7000 reflexologists internationally.
Reflexology is an ancient non-intrusive complementary health therapy dating back 5,000 years, based on the theory that different points on the feet, lower leg and hands correspond with different areas of the body. Qualified reflexologists are highly trained and work holistically with their clients and aim to work alongside allopathic healthcare to promote better health for their clients.
Reflexology UK writes that In 2011 VRT received a Highly Commended Award for its Outstanding Contribution to Complementary Medicine by the Institute of Complementary and Natural Medicine (ICNM). VRT is ideally incorporated into a classical reflexology session at the beginning and end of a session without increasing the appointment time but is also used in shorter sessions and self-help.
VRT, also know as Vertical Reflexology, is versatile and can be used in semi-weight bearing positions on small children and babies, for palliative care and older people, for sports injuries, general treatments and in the workplace. The anatomical explanation for VRT’s efficacy is that the nerves on the passive feet are naturally de-sensitised but, when weight-bearing, these nerves become sensitised and appear to send a stronger healing impulse to an organ, gland, muscle or vertebra.
The therapeutic response from VRT is often quicker, especially with orthopaedic problems. Advanced VRT techniques can often help intransigent conditions. VRT can also be used as a brief first-aid treatment or as part of a comprehensive 25 minute treatment for hospices, the work-place, schools, sports centres, etc.
Booth VRT writes that a VRT trained reflexologist will work on your weight-bearing feet and hands for a few minutes per treatment to accelerate the healing processes brought about in conjunction with early reflexology treatments. The client then lies on a couch and relaxes for their classical reflexology session which also incorporates new techniques from the VRT repertoire.
Since the early 1990’s Lynne Booth has held a weekly reflexology clinic at the St Monica Trust, Bristol which is a large sheltered housing and nursing home complex for older clients. She found it was often it was impossible to work the reflexes on the soles of the feet so, out of necessity, she began to work the top or dorsum of the feet as they rested on wheelchair foot supports . She began to notice some wheelchair-bound clients reported that they they felt generally more relaxed and some commented on other general health improvements on an individual basis.
Lynne Booth has written two books on the subject for hands and feet, including the best-selling Vertical Reflexology, and she lectures on VRT internationally, as well as running a private practice in Bristol. In 2011 the Institute of Complementary and Natural Medicine (ICNM) presented Lynne Booth with a Highly Commended award for her Outstanding Contribution to Complementary Medicine. In 2018 Lynne was the winner of the prestigious AoR Excellence in Reflexology Innovation award. She has also run a clinic at the St Monica Trust for older people for 25 years and worked as reflexologist to a Championship Football team for 15 years.
Always remember to check with your GP first before booking an appointment for a VRT treatment.
BACK PAIN BLOG UK... 