| Question #1. ARE YOU NATIONALLY CERTIFIED by | | | | presence and cost effectiveness. There are also |
| the AMERICAN REFLEXOLOGY CERTIFICATION | | | | businesses that offer reflexology exclusively. |
| BOARD*? | | | | Note: pedicure foot massage is definitely NOT |
| *For international subscribers - check for your national | | | | reflexology - remember, they can call it reflexology |
| organization by going online, or polling your local | | | | when it really isn't. |
| reflexologists. | | | | |
| Check whether your reflexologist is ARCB certified. | | | | Question #4. WHAT ARE YOUR FEES AND |
| This one question will best help you separate the | | | | CANCELLATION POLICY? |
| amateurs and the pros. Reflexologists who want to | | | | The fee schedule should be listed, easy to |
| be professional, become nationally certified. In order | | | | understand and fair (as in consistent with quality |
| to be certified, you need to have at least 200 hours | | | | bodywork fees in your area). |
| of qualifying reflexology training, and successfully | | | | Your practitioner should make it clear what their fees |
| complete a series of tests. That's the minimum | | | | are. You also need to be informed of any additional |
| standard for the whole country. It's also the best. | | | | costs and what the cancellation policy is, should they |
| Lots of people call themselves reflexologists when | | | | have one. Most will require 24 hours notice in the |
| they're really not properly trained. You've probably | | | | event that there is a need to change the |
| already found this at the nail salon or at a spa. It | | | | appointment time. |
| happens because anyone can use the term | | | | A reflexology practitioner is usually a solo |
| reflexology. That's right. The word reflexology can be | | | | entrepreneur. That means that they pay their own |
| used by anyone for just about anything! Shocking | | | | bills and all the costs of doing business. |
| isn't it? | | | | For example, these costs can include; laundry, lotions, |
| Note: As a reflexologist, if you are ARCB certified, | | | | rent, lights, advertizing, preparation time, |
| you should be shouting it from the highest tree - or | | | | documentation time, conferences, continuing |
| at least have "American Reflexology Board certified" | | | | education, and more. Because a reflexologist sees |
| on your business card. | | | | every client as unique, they're also spending time |
| Hint: Don't have cards? | | | | between appointments doing research to make the |
| Question #2. HOW MANY UNIQUE HOURS OF FOOT, | | | | session better for you. |
| HAND AND EAR REFLEXOLOGY TRAINING DO YOU | | | | If you're the client and you don't show up for an |
| HAVE ABOVE and BEYOND THE STANDARD | | | | appointment, you've:a) denied another client who |
| 200HRS? | | | | needs the session the opportunity to receive it. I only |
| Find out if your practitioner's equally trained and | | | | book one person for the time we agree upon. If |
| comfortable practicing Hand and Ear, as well as, Foot | | | | someone else wants that appointment time I have |
| reflexology. | | | | to say no. They lose out on a session time that's |
| Although hours of training does not a great | | | | best for them and their needs.b) cost the practitioner |
| reflexologist make, someone who's dedicated to the | | | | money. And, it's not just rent and lights. There have |
| field will have many more training hours than the | | | | been times when my next client has canceled after |
| minimum requirement of 200 hours. | | | | I've raced to my office from a home appointment |
| You need to know that reflexology can be | | | | downtown. In order to be on time, I've payed out of |
| effectively done on the hands, ears and face (also | | | | pocket for the cab fare. |
| practiced using the map of the body) as well as the | | | | If you're the practitioner, you need to tell your clients |
| feet. And your reflexologist needs to know this too. | | | | what your cancellation policy is. You can't expect |
| In fact, the earliest reflexology charts, by Dr. Joe | | | | them to understand your unique position as a |
| Riley, confirm that the body's systems and organs | | | | solo-preneur if your policy is not made clear. |
| can be "reflexed" on all these areas. | | | | 5. DO YOU FOLLOW THE NATIONAL STANDARDS |
| Did you know that reflexology on the hands can be | | | | OF PRACTICE? |
| more effective than the feet for supporting certain | | | | You can expect the same professional standards and |
| respiratory issues? The ears correspond powerfully | | | | ethical practice from your reflexologist as from any |
| to the skeletal system and the face has an incredible | | | | holistic health practitioner. |
| impact on the whole nervous system. | | | | In fact, we keep our standards very high. |
| A large percentage of my students have 300 - 500 | | | | There's a lot more than the "look and feel" aspects |
| hours of unique reflexology training. This covers the | | | | of our business. Yes, you should expect to be |
| Foot, Hand, Face, Ear and electives, ie: meridian | | | | comfortable in a clean and neat office. And, expect |
| reflexology. If you want to train professionally, you | | | | that your practitioner will work within your "comfort |
| should look for a program that offers at least 350 | | | | to pressure level". |
| hours. | | | | Also, remember that the information you give your |
| All ARCB nationally certified reflexologists are required | | | | reflexologist is confidential. Your practitioner might |
| to take continuing education credits. | | | | talk anecdotally about another client situation to help |
| Question #3. DO YOU HAVE AN OFFICE OR WORK | | | | you understand your own, but if in any way, you |
| FROM HOME? | | | | could possibly identify that client... you need to find |
| Look for a professional presence, i.e., an office. | | | | another practitioner. |
| Yes... you can receive reflexology at home or... at the | | | | You can also lodge a complaint with the ARCB if a |
| home of your practitioner. That's okay, but this | | | | nationally certified practitioner acts unethically. (As a |
| reflexologist is probably working casually, part-time. | | | | bodywork practice, reflexology is the least prone to |
| If you want a professional practitioner with a lot of | | | | any misconduct.J) |
| experience, a good sign is they have an office or | | | | Of course, working with a reflexologist is a very |
| work at a reflexology based business. | | | | personal thing. Finding the right one will allow you to |
| Most reflexologists are self employed. This means | | | | enjoy the relaxing and stress relieving benefits that |
| they do the marketing and the cleaning. Pooling | | | | are inherent in the practice. |
| resources in a common practice and sharing the | | | | If you receive reflexology over time, you'll reap the |
| costs of office space and maintenance offers some | | | | additional benefits of stress management and health |
| of the best solutions for both a professional | | | | maintenance. |