To clean or not to clean?

[delphispolaris]

I have just read Delphin's post regarding what happens during a treatment. I am a Reflex Touch practitioner and was trained never to clean the feet before a treatment. I would be interested how other practitionersfelt about this subject?

 

[David Nelson]

Hi Fairyfoot,

Ooooooh I always clean using antibacterial wipes ~ nicer for me and nicer for the client ~ especially thesome of the ladies who come wearing sandles and have maybe managed to attract little bits of grit etc and lets face it some people no matter how clean they are have sweaty feet !!

Cleaning the feet for me is just another part ofmyroutineand also gives me a chance to look over the feet for any possible localised contra-indications.

Meridianmoon x

 

[Don S]

I'm not a reflexologist, but when I go for a session my reflexologist now sets up a footspa with some peppermint oil and lets me sit and relax for 5 minutes - that way we start off with me relaxed and she has apair of clean and sweeter-smelling feet to deal with!

 

[Kirsty M]

I was always trained to treat my clients au naturel, as the scent of the foot was another diagnostic tool. Also by using harsh anti-bacterial wipes I would be setting up a barrier between myself and my client and may be making them feel a little embarrassed. I was even trained to use perfume free soap to wash my own hands.

I have to say that 99% of my clients' feet are clean. Very occasionally I have used an unscented baby wipe. I do have anti-bacterial wipes, but was told by the person who sold them to me at a complimentary therapy school that they weren't terribly anti-bacterial anyway, and just meet ITEC's requirements.

Lesley

 

[wvebmuezikniqteos]

Hi, I was taught to clean the feet first using an cotton wool pads soaked in an antibacterial fluid such as dettol (weak dilution). However, the majority of the time i have just used warm water. I feel better knowing i've cleaned their feet first and i'm sure the client feels more at ease too. I can't count the number of times that people have apologised for the state of their feet (which may not be that bad) and i think it makes them feel more at ease to know that i have clean them before commencing, leaving them to just sit back, relax and enjoy the treament, safe in the knowledge that their feet are clean enough for me to handle.

 

[samra]

I agree with staranise ~ my clients seem to like the fact that their feet are cleaned prior to treatment. I think many people are slightly embarassed at first about having their feet touched and imagine that they are dirty/smelly even when they're not. Cleaning the feet generally puts their minds at rest. As for using the scent of the feet as a diagnostic tool ~ sure, but I don't need to smell it for an hour !!!

The antibacterial wipes I use are not "harsh" and are actually designed for children so they don't strip or dry out the skin and they smell lovely. I've just started using Tui wax as a medium and it'sreally nice~ leaving the feet soft and moisturised at the end of a treatment.

Meridianmoon x

[link=http://www.meridiantherapies.co.uk]www.meridiantherapies.co.uk[/link]

 

[RagElmuuoa]

I always clean a clients feet before a treatment.....even if they look clean. I do this because i feel that reflexology is very cleansing, it cleanses the body of toxins. I feel that to help the body to cleanse itself i need to start by cleaning their feet. I also wouldn't fancy sitting for an hour with pongy feet in my face!!!

I use unscented baby wipes on most of my clients, but a few of my regulars like me to use diluted tea tree oil on cotton wool to cleanse their feet before a treatment. I don't think any of my clients would like it if i didn't cleanse their feet before a treatment. Its a big part of my routine.

I am a mobile therapist at the moment, but when i finally manage to set up my own treatment room i plan to have a foot spa for my clients to use before a treatment. Its a great way to relax the client and get them into the right frame of mind for the treatment. The use of aromatherapy oils can also help with this.

Kate

 

[daisyrose]

Hi
I agree with the last two replies (staranise & meridianmoon) for all the reasons mentioned and besides its nice for someone else tojust fuss over your feet. Thats also what they are paying for ...isn't it! How many times have any of us been standing on our feet for ages and just wanted to plunge them into a warm bowl of water too to ease the aches and pains? I feel its just part of the 'feel good' factor (unless your client is particularly against it).

I use tea treeas it copeswith all the bacerial, odour, anti-septic etc, problems. You can use this as a wash or soak. I like the Tui range as well. I just love the way it mealts as it warms up. Nice medium to use.

When you do give your clients a foot soak I feel it gives your client some time to just settle and relax without even a word being said and I think they also get more out of the whole treatment.

 

[rjpvhijs]

Hi Kay,

Just wondering where i can buy Tui? I have never heard of it before, but now i'm really curious. I currently use a combination of oils but i find these far too slippery. I used to use atrixo but i hate the smell!!!

Thanks
Kate

 

[Francois Le Clerc]

Hi Kate

The UK distributor is on this website
[link=http://www.tuibalmes.co.nz/retail/ukdistributors.htm]http://www.tuibalmes.co.nz/retail/ukdistributors.htm[/link]

plus the whole range is on there too. As you can see they orginally come from New Zealand. The guy that runs it has done one or two fayres in Milton Keynes and Aylesbury.

They do large pots and tiny pots so you can trial one or two and when you are confident with them buy the larger more cost effective sizes.

Let me know how you get on.
Regards
Kay

PS love your signature statement!!!!

 

[Ruth .H. <3]

Hi Kay,

Thanks for that.....gonna have a look on the website straight away!!!

Have a great day!

Kate
xxxxxx

 

[ali-babaa]

I clean my clients feet, and agree with Staranise also, I feel that once consultation is done, they put their feet up, have a clean, remove any gritty bits or bits of socks. My clients have commented in the past that it makes them feel much cleaner and less self-conscious. It helps them to relax. I normally do my observations just before I start treatment, if there's an odour or if the feet are clammy, I can work this out before I start treatment, it doesn't mean I have to leave them like that.

 

[zoeqergw]

exactly !!!!!!!

 

[Praxis]

Having had Reflex, before I trained, I think it is important to clean the feet in whatever way you like best! I remember always climbing on the bed and apologising for the state of my feet, and if I could have washed them myself I would have done. As a client I found it refreshing, and a start to my relaxing! As a Reflexologist, as others have said, I look at the feet during the consultation, but find cleaning the feet a good start, and allows me to get inbetween the toes, allowing the client to feel my hands too.(This way there's no surprise bits of fluff either!!)

I guess it's each to their own!

Tj

 

[Naomi C]

i have to agree, i to clean clients feet, gives me chance to look at the feet etc. and i totally agree from a clients point of view i love having my feet cleaned, makes me feel more relaxed, comfortable and also that the therapist knows about health and hygine etc, as i would feel (personally) that if they didnt clean my feet i would wonder if they washed their hands? if that makes sense?

 

[Louise C]

Hi All

Thank you all very much for your input. There are a lot of pros and cons. Its strange we tend to carry on the way we were trained, but I think we all need to be open minded about issues, and do what is best for our clients. A lot to consider and may be change about my routine. I was also trained not to mix to types of treatment, during my Reflex Touch training, for example Reflex and Aromatherapy, as both are very powerfull treatments. This is hard for me as I am also a qualified Aromatherapist and lovedifferent aromas and what they can achieve when used correctly.

Again, thank you.

Les

 

[ohhlalaS]

Hi Everyone
I was at a make-up party recently. The lady who organises the parties also does reflexology. Well, there was a little bit of spare time at the end of the evening so sheoffered to give a couple of people some reflexology (which was very kind of her). The thing is....she never washed anyones feet and when she had finished she never washed her hands.....then proceeded to help herself to nuts, etc. [:'(]Yuk! Yuk! Yuk![:'(]
Tracey.xx

 

[grable]

Hi Mystic,

That is really disturbing behaviour!!!!

I was taught to always wash my hands before and after a treatment in front of the client. Its just good hygiene practice!!! I also always carry a gel handwash with me when i visit clients in their homes.

Was this lady a properly qualified reflexologist? If she was then this is very yukky and unprofessional behaviour indeed! And eating nuts without washing her hands first......thats just plain stupidity.

Yuk!!!!!!![:'(]

Kate
xxxxxx

 

[Mad Tinkerer]

Hi

I agree with Mystique and Reflexkate, not only is that unprofessional but also goes against our duty of care to ourselves and the clients we treat.

Les

 

[offerfyi]

YUCK!!

If anyone is in the position where they are treating people back to back and have no access to hand washing eg at a show, there are a number of hand cleaning gels around that you can use. So there is no excuse not to!