SERVICES
Announcement from Dwight C. Byers
Dwight C. Byers, President of the International Institute of Reflexology® has much pleasure in announcing the appointment of Mrs Vicky Laws as National Director of the International Institute of Reflexology®(UK).
Mrs Jennie Levick will continue as an honourary IIR Director, with the added title “Principal IIR(UK) Schools”, following accreditation by City and Guilds awarding body for the Level 3 Reflexology Diploma.
I wish them well and thank the IIR(UK) Directors for all their work for the International Institute of Reflexology®.
Vicky Laws
Qualifications; IIR MAR, Advanced Reflexology Technique, Vertical Reflexology Technique, Precision Reflexology Technique
Reiki Master, Indian Head Massage VTCT, C&G 7302 Teaching
Vicky is a qualified reflexologist of ten years and has been teaching for the IIR since 2003.Vicky has a busy practice with clients being seen at her place of work and in their own homes where appropriate. Experience of working with many differing groups of people has been maintained through her teaching with the womens projects workshops and courses that Vicky has taught for the last 12 years.Some of this work has had to be cut back due to the commitment to the IIR teaching and students that now take precedent.Teaching the OIM for the IIR became a natural progression in a career that Vicky enjoys and has great satisfaction from watching students grow and develop into professional reflexologists who are proud to belong to the IIR.
Reflexology Courses
IIR Diploma Course
To educate and train students to a standard of competence and confidence that enables them to work upon members of the public, safely, ethically and professionally to the benefit of the patient’s quality of life, general health and well-being.
To provide a thorough training in practical techniques of the Original Ingham Method® of Reflexology as applied to the feet and hands.
To provide a basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology to a competence level commensurate with the efficient and safe practice of foot and hand reflexology and enveloping the interdependence and balanced working of the body systems listed under the sub-headings below.
The Course- 1 year duration
- Leads to an International Institute of Reflexology® Diploma
- Graduates are eligible to join as a full member of the Association of Reflexologists and use the letters IIR, MAR
- IIR Graduates with AoR full membership are recognised by all major insurance companies, the NHS and many private healthcare companies.
Introduction- The history of reflexology. What is reflexology?
- Do’s and Don’ts of the therapy
- Anatomy of the foot and of the hand
- Natural health philosophy and practices, ie. where reflexology fits amongst other therapies
- Relationship between anatomy, physiology and reflex areas relative to reflexology of the feet and hands
- Basic techniques and relaxation techniques applied to the feet and to the hands
Anatomy & Physiology
The following body systems are studied. There are study handouts for each topic:
Digestive system, Immune/Lymphatic system, Central nervous system and autonomic nervous system, Endocrine System, Urinary and reproductive systems, Musculoskeletal system, Sensory system, Cardiovascular system, Respiratory system
Additional Topics
Hygiene, Chiropody for reflexologists, An introduction to nutrition, An introduction to dermatology, Tax planning for private practice, Marketing and public relations, Starting a private practice – public liability/professional indemnity – why it is essential, typical costs, quality of cover etc.
Practical Training
Great emphasis is placed upon the acquisition of the correct holds and thumb and finger techniques that, together, form the Original Ingham Method® The Institute’s tutors are the only people licensed to teach this method – to safeguard its originality.
At each seminar, approximately half the time or more is spent perfecting these practical aspects of competent reflexology treatment. The tutor/student ratio does not exceed 1:10 – to enable personal attention to be given at all times.
Students are encouraged to buy Dwight Byers’ instruction DVD’s I and II which provide a ‘home tutor’ backup between attendance at the respective seminars.
What is Required of You
We require your genuine desire to improve the health and the quality of life of other people through Reflexology. You will have to study anatomy and physiology and the skills and techniques of the therapy. The study is broken down into a step-by-step approach that assumes no previous knowledge, although applicants with a nursing background are especially welcome.
Our standards are high and training requires time and commitment. The Institute is keen to sustain a long-established, excellent reputation. The tuition is designed for the person who aspires to reach the highest standards of a true professional. Training combines intensive hard work with rewarding enjoyment and satisfaction.
Attendance at 100 tuition hours, one/two-day seminars spread over twelve months. (Note that some courses are held over weekends, others are held over individual one-day seminars either during the week or at a weekend).- Attendance at a one-day First Aid Certificate course (“Appointed Person” level)
- 8-10 hours of home study per week
- 6 case studies are submitted for assessment
- 100 Client studies (all written up)
- 3 hour written examination at the end of the course
- 1 hour practical/oral examination at the end of the course
- Our minimum pass mark is 80%. Our standards are high and the training intensive, but our reputation is second to none. Our tuition is designed for those who aspire to reach the highest standards of a true professional. Training combines intensive hard work with rewarding enjoyment.
- Minimum entry age is 18 year. There is no upper age limit.
IIR graduates can become full members of the AoR and are eligible for entry onto the NHS Register of Reflexologists, used by Primary Care Trusts.
IIR Bridging Course
Our Bridging Courses are run across the UK regions and cater for each individual enquiry depending on previous qualifications and experience. This means that each Bridging Student will work individually with an IIR tutor to identify the areas of the course material they need to attend and once this has been established a learning plan will be put into place and required attendance to the relevant sections of the course will be agreed. This is done on an individual basis depending on each individuals requirements. Potential Bridging Students should contact the tutor of the region most suitable to their location to discuss their individual requirements.
Overall Aim:
To educate and train qualified reflexologists in the practical techniques of the Original Ingham Method® of Reflexology as applied to the feet and hands.
To provide a basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology to a competence level commensurate with the efficient and safe practice of foot and hand reflexology and enveloping the interdependence and balanced working of the body systems listed under the sub-headings below.
The Course:- 6 months duration
- Leads to an International Institute of Reflexology® Diploma
- Graduates are eligible to join as a full member of the Association of Reflexologists and use the letters IIR MAR
- IIR Graduates with AoR full membership are recognised by all major insurance companies, the NHS and many private healthcare companies.
Introduction:
The history of reflexology. What is reflexology?
Do’s and Don’ts of the therapy
Anatomy of the foot and of the hand
Natural health philosophy and practices, ie. where reflexology fits amongst other therapies
Relationship between anatomy, physiology and reflex areas relative to reflexology of the feet and hands
Basic techniques and relaxation techniques applied to the feet and to the hands
Anatomy & Physiology:
The following body systems are studied. There are study handouts for each topic:
Digestive system, Immune/Lymphatic system, Central nervous system and autonomic nervous system, Endocrine System
Urinary and reproductive systems, Musculoskeletal system, Sensory system, Cardiovascular system, Respiratory system
Additional Topics:
Hygiene
Chiropody for reflexologists
An introduction to nutrition
An introduction to dermatology
Tax planning for private practice
Marketing and public relations
Starting a private practice – public liability/professional indemnity – why it is essential, typical costs, quality of cover etc.
Practical Training:
Great emphasis is placed upon the acquisition of the correct holds and thumb and finger techniques that, together, form the Original Ingham Method® The Institute’s tutors are the only people licensed to teach this method – to safeguard its originality.
At each seminar, approximately half the time or more is spent perfecting these practical aspects of competent reflexology treatment. The tutor/student ratio does not exceed 1:10 – to enable personal attention to be given at all times.
Students are encouraged to buy Dwight Byers’ instruction DVD’s I and II which provide a ‘home tutor’ backup between attendance at the respective seminars.
What is Required of You:
We require your genuine desire to improve the health and the quality of life of other people through Reflexology. You will have to study anatomy and physiology and the skills and techniques of the therapy. The study is broken down into a step-by-step approach that assumes no previous knowledge, although applicants with a nursing background are especially welcome.
Our standards are high and training requires time and commitment. The Institute is keen to sustain a long-established, excellent reputation. The tuition is designed for the person who aspires to reach the highest standards of a true professional. Training combines intensive hard work with rewarding enjoyment and satisfaction.
Attendance at 50 tuition hours, one/two-day seminars spread over six months. (Note that some courses are held over weekends, others are held over individual one-day seminars either during the week or at a weekend).
Attendance at a one-day First Aid Certificate course (“Appointed Person” level)
4-5 hours of home study per week
3 case studies are submitted for assessment
60 Client studies (all written up)
2 hour written examination at the end of the course
1 hour practical/oral examination at the end of the course
Our minimum pass mark is 80%. Our standards are high and the training intensive, but our reputation is second to none. Our tuition is designed for those who aspire to reach the highest standards of a true professional. Training combines intensive hard work with rewarding enjoyment.
Minimum entry age is 18 year. There is no upper age limit.
IIR graduates can become full members of the AoR and are eligible for entry onto the NHS Register of Reflexologists, used by Primary Care Trusts.
Course Training Regions
Yorkshire, South (Sheffield)
The IIR runs a 1-year Diploma in Reflexology and a 6-month Bridging Course in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. The course is led by our regional Course Director Vicky Laws.
Yorkshire, West (Wakefield)
The IIR runs a 1-year Diploma in Reflexology and a 6-month Bridging Course in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The course is led by our regional Course Director Vicky Laws.
New courses will be announced soon. For further information about these or any ongoing courses please contact Vicky Laws directly.
About Reflexology
Foot Reflexology
Foot reflexology is by far the most popular form of reflexology practised in the UK.
It is based on the principle that there are reflex points on the feet that correspond to every organ, gland and part of the body. For example, the toes represent the head and the ball of the foot represents the chest and lung region.
A reflexologist will begin a foot reflexology treatment by undertaking a thorough health, diet and lifestyle consultation. Following this, they will examine your feet and may ask further questions. The treatment will then begin with some general relaxation techniques, followed by a precise thumb and finger walking technique aimed at applying pressure to every reflex area on the top and bottom of the foot.
A reflexologist will always work both feet as part of a full treatment. The left foot represents the left side of the body and the right foot represents the right side of the body.
Reflexology is not ticklish as a firm pressure is used. If a particular part of the body is out of balance, the corresponding reflex may feel tender or sore during the treatment. It is important that you let the practitioner know so that steps may be taken to rectify this discomfort. Generally people describe any areas of tenderness as a ‘sweet pain’ which is both bearable and beneficial.
A full foot reflexology treatment will generally last 45-50 minutes.
Choosing a Reflexologist
There are lots of different Reflexology qualifications around and each represent different standards and levels of experience.
In the UK, there are currently no laws or regulations, therefore anyone can set up a business and call themselves a “Reflexologist”. Thankfully, an organisation has been set up called The Reflexology Forum, which is working towards self-regulation of Reflexologists and creating National Occupational Standards for our industry.
When looking for a Reflexologist who can help you with particular health conditions, it is important to find a Practitioner who has undergone a minimum of 100 hours of tuition over at least a year, plus 100 hours of case studies. There are many schools that offer short courses in Reflexology and all they are really teaching is how to give a relaxing foot massage, which whilst lovely, will not bring about benefits to the client’s health other than relaxation.
The International Institute of Reflexology® is the oldest Reflexology School and in the UK, our Practitioners have to achieve the highest theory pass mark of any Reflexology School. Our courses cover in-depth study into anatomy and physiology and lots of practical work to ensure that our members are very competent and experienced before they pass their examinations.
Members of the International Institute of Reflexology have all trained directly with us in the Original Ingham Method® of Reflexology – in fact, we are the only Reflexology school to teach this method.
You will find our graduates using the letters IIR after their name. Once qualified, our graduates are eligible to join the Association of Reflexologists and will be listed on the practitioner directory.
It is important to ensure that you choose a practitioner who is fully insured, holds a First Aid certificate and is committed to regular post-graduate training.
Here are some of the questions you might want to ask before booking an appointment. A professional practitioner will have no problem answering all of these questions.Who did you train with?
What qualifications do you hold?
How long have you bee practising?
Have you treated people with the same condition as me previously?
Do you hold professional indemnity insurance?
Do you hold a First Aid certificate?
What do you charge for a treatment?
How long does it last?
Do you do any special offers?
Do you accept credit/debit cards?
Can I buy gift vouchers?
Do you have a website?
Do you offer a mobile service?
Do you have a cancellation policy?
What To Expect
If you have never experienced reflexology before, you may be a little nervous prior to attending your first appointment. A professional Reflexologist will soon put you at your ease and will give you the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.
You will never be asked to undress for reflexology. The only clothing to be removed is socks or tights and your shoes. It is best to wear lose comfortable clothing so that you feel relaxed.
At the start of your first session, a professional practitioner will conduct a thorough health, diet and lifestyle consultation. This will involve finding out about any medication that you take, recent operations and illnesses and your reasons for trying reflexology. Do ensure that you tell the Reflexologist everything, no matter how minor a symptom may seem.
Having built up a picture of your current state of health, the practitioner will explain how reflexology works and will then examine your feet and/or hands. You will be asked to put your feet up on a special foot stool or you may be reclined in a chair or asked to lie on a couch.
The practitioner may play gentle relaxing music during your treatment or may burn oils or candles to add to the tranquil atmosphere.
The treatment will begin with some gentle relaxation techniques followed by applying pressure to each of the reflex points. You may wish to close your eyes and relax or you might prefer to chat during your session, this is entirely up to you.
Your Reflexologist may apply a small amount of cream or powder to help them to work their fingers and thumbs across the reflex points on your feet. They usually work on one foot at a time. The pressure should be firm but not painful.
Different reflexes spark different sensations, some might feel like a sharp pin sticking into the foot – this is not the Practitioner’s nails, but crystal deposits under the skin where an area is imbalanced.
During the first treatment, it is quite common not to feel anything, although the Reflexology will still be effective. Often it takes a couple of treatments to ‘awaken’ the reflexes. You may find that during subsequent treatments your feet will become more sensitive. Be aware that certain medication, serious illnesses or nerve damage can dull the sensations but not the effectiveness.
Do tell your Reflexologist if and when you feel anything that is sore, tender or sharp, as they will be able to work this area in many different ways to help rectify any problems.
The Reflexologist will work both hands and/or feet during the course of a full treatment and may revisit certain areas repeatedly to help balance particular reflexes.
Your practitioner will make notes following your session so that improvements can be noted at future appointments. All information recorded will be treated in accordance with the Data Protection Act and will remain totally confidential.
After your treatment, you will be advised to drink plenty of fresh water (ideally at least 8 glasses in 24 hours), to help flush toxins from your body. It is also recommended that you avoid alcohol and eat only light meals.
A typical treatment will last 45-50 minutes and it is generally recommended that you have 4-6 weekly treatments initially, although reflexology is safe to have more frequently if required.
Treatments provided for children or anyone seriously ill may be shorter and more frequent. With all appointments, the practitioner will customise the treatment plan to meet the client’s needs.
Service Categories
Reflexology, Reiki
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