08/08/2026
HARNESSING THE ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL OF REFLEXOLOGY
One of the most common complaints I have received over the years is from people who are disappointed with the reflexology treatment they received, as it was too light, never that it was too hard.
This is a subject that I have covered a number of times. However, the focus of this article is whether a more painful or sensational treatment brings about a more positive therapeutic outcome.
To understand this, I need to define what I mean by pain. Importantly, in my view, a treatment should be administered with authority, not brutality. The pain or sensation should be experienced by the recipient as a sweet pain or a good hurt, as some people describe it.
The problem is that, because the techniques, purpose, and recognition of reflexology have largely evolved into something akin to a gentle foot massage over the years, the subject of this article may not be understood by those who are relatively new to the therapy.
The techniques of classical reflexology were based on ‘working out’ a reflex. This was achieved through sustained contact on the disturbed reflexes.
Put simply, this sustained action reminds the nervous system that something is out of balance in the body, thereby harnessing the body’s healing processes to produce the appropriate biochemical responses needed for healing.
From an electrical perspective, applying sustained pressure to a disturbed reflex sends an electrical message to the brain, which responds by sending the appropriate level of current to stimulate healing.
Also, when the disturbed reflexes are treated in this way, and in a sequential order, the pain (or sensation) experienced will gradually change into a therapeutic, strangely relaxing, and stimulating sensation.
Although a gentle oil-based massage of the feet may be relaxing and valuable, it will not produce the type of response described.
Tony Porter
www.artreflex.com
