{"id":85350,"date":"2015-04-02T08:15:00","date_gmt":"2015-04-02T06:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/85350\/relax-and-remember-to-breath\/"},"modified":"2015-04-07T12:56:23","modified_gmt":"2015-04-07T10:56:23","slug":"relax-and-remember-to-breath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2015\/04\/02\/relax-and-remember-to-breath\/","title":{"rendered":"Relax, and remember to breathe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reflexology is an ancient science which works on the premise that there are reflexes on the feet which are energetically connected to the organs and various body systems.<\/p>\n

With this in mind I travelled to Ackermans Health and Beauty Centre, located behind Ackermans Pharmacy, in Rietfontein Road, for a reflexology appointment with Hariclia Tsousalas.<\/p>

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Hariclia has been involved in reflexology for the past 20 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been working full time for just over a month, working my passion,\u201d she explained after a warm greeting.<\/p>

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The death of a beloved uncle sparked Hariclia\u2019s interest in complementary therapies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen my uncle was diagnosed with cancer he was told how long he had before he died.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe started going to a complementary therapist for treatments, and it gave him hope and helped prolong his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know what reflexology was at the time, but I knew it made my uncle feel better and that was enough,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Hariclia explained that the positive feedback she receives from her clients is the best part of what she does.<\/p>\n

I was asked to sit on the bed in an upright, but comfortable position, before Hariclia explained a bit more about the origin of the treatment I was about to receive.<\/p>\n

The treatment focuses on the ancient Chinese meridian theory combined with the five elements.<\/p>\n

The meridians are a network of energy channels or electrical pathways covering the body, that are similar to the zones that are traditionally know in reflexology.<\/p>\n

There are 12 major meridians, each passing through the one side of the body with a mirror image on the other side of the body.<\/p>\n

Reflexology therapists will work on a client\u2019s feet, hands and, as an addition, ears.<\/p>\n

The auricular therapy however, is only offered as an additional treatment on top of a manual treatment.<\/p>\n

The treatment involves small magnets being placed on areas of the ear that focus on areas that the therapist and\/or client feel needs more attention. An example of this is dealing with extreme stress.<\/p>\n

The first treatment with Hariclia will be a manual exercise, giving her an opportunity to get to know the client and assess the clients over all condition.<\/p>\n

During my manual treatment Hariclia identified a number of problems with which I was suffering, without prior knowledge of my medical history.<\/p>\n

This included picking up on a kidney infection I had suffered only a few weeks earlier.<\/p>\n

Next I was treated to a boot treatment, which is given in conjunction with a cupping treatment.<\/p>\n

The Vacuflex Reflexology System is used to create a suction in these treatments.<\/p>\n

The boots are left on the client\u2019s feet for five minute, with the therapist adjusting the pressure slowly throughout the treatment.<\/p>\n

When the boots are removed from the feet they will display four primary colours for between 30 \u2013 40 seconds, which indicates the thermal energy in the body.<\/p>\n

The therapist will use this information in a manual treatment.<\/p>\n

There are four different size cups which are used to stimulate the reflexes in the body; the cups are used in a sequence over the body.<\/p>\n

Your first visit to a reflexology therapist can last up to an hour, with follow-ups ranging between 30 to 40 minutes.<\/p>\n

Hariclia recommends monthly appointments for maintenance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are always surrounded by electro magnetics, so the body will always be trying to balance itself,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

When leaving the treatment clients can expect a number of different reactions, which could include yawning, sweating, a restless night\u2019s sleep or a deep sleep; these vary from person to person.<\/p>\n

Hariclia is a qualified reflexology therapist which means she is registered with the Allied Health Professions of South Africa. She has studied and met all the criteria set out for her.<\/p>\n

Therapist are expected to have a valid and\/or up to date first aid certificate, as well as reaching a set number of continuous professional development (CPD) points.<\/p>\n

I left my appointment feeling light and relaxed and look forward to returning in the future, to find out more about this ancient practice.<\/p>\n