Treatments that are not up to standard

[Raghu]

Hello All!
My resolution this year was to come clean and introduce myself (which I have done) so, this post makes me officially an ex-lurker
The first questions of many - be warned its a long one!

As a reflexologist how often do you get on the couch and have a treatment?
If you do, do you visit someone you know/dont know, do you tell them that you are a reflexologist and do you ever come away disappointed?The reason for the grilling is that I decided to treat myself over Xmas and had a full reflexology treatment and I came away very, very disappointed. I'm not having a go at anyone and wont reveal even which country it happened in

I didnt reveal my experience in reflexology etc as I didnt want to let the Reflexologist feel as if she was on the spot being graded or become nervous etc - I just wanted the standard treatment in order to relax.
What I got was somewhat different I had to remind her to wash her hands before starting my treatment, there was another person in the room laid on a couch post treatment - snoring!
Didnt ask me any allergy info & proceeded to use a Cologne?? to cleanse the feet pre-treatment.
Advised I had 'hammered' my liver over Xmas which was situated on the nail plate of my big toe (it must have moved) when I dont really drink.
Stuck all of her overgrown & sharp nails into my feet at some point.
Didnt follow a routine of any kind and staged a pretend psychic experience ever time she thought I was looking at her (had to close my eyes to retain laughter).
I paid & put the treatment down to experience - but, this would have put a lot of people off of reflexology as it was so dire
Now, the more I think about it, the more cross I get that someone could visit a relexologist wanting a 'real' treatment and get a fake who is obviously more interested in the ££'s (£30 for 45 mins) than providing a good treatment/service and this gives us good guys who have trained properly and know our stuff a really bad name and a wonderful treatment is belittled.

What does everyone think and does anyone else have a similar experience to share?

Thank you

ThreePeaks
x

 

[.Me.]

Phew, enough to put anyone off for life.[:'(]

Where did you find her and what qualification does she claim? Sounds as though she hasnt had any proper training at all. and to charge £30 for 45 minutes.

Just shows that you should probably ask for proof of qualifications really. I've got mine on permanent display.

I swap with girls I trained with and get a lovely treatment, as I hope they do too, no complaints so far and they come back for more, which is a vital testimony. I bet the person (wont call her a reflexologist) doesn't get people coming back.

Did you look for someone with a recognised qualification?

Better luck next time, dont give up, have alook on the therapist register on here to find someone. Also the NHS directory of complementary and alternative practitioners checks out proples qualifications and has a directory. (I'm on it, seems to help when talkinf to GP's and consultants)


Jan

 

[Deaner 2.0]

hi threepeaks,

i keep meaning to go get some treatments from local therapists... just to see!! good for you for trying it. mind you, go on, gis a clue... it was not in uk?

i see you do thai foot so you would have known had you been getting the pointy stick treatment... sharp nails ref!

i think you have a very valid point and yes, many people *try* these treatments at spas etc and overseas, and i dont think they are necessarily getting the *best* they can. i used to work at a hotel (freelance) offering treatments... lol i considered the clients fortunate if they got me, as i believe i am good! BUT, in the time allowed, no way could one do a comprehensive consultation... i ended up mostly just asking if they had any allergies, had they had the treatment before and did they have any pre existing medical condition/ on meds. not exactly ideal.

when it comes to reflexology, it does need to be done by someone who knows what they doing, is willing to talk it through with client and answers questions (if required) and no BS!!!!

must do my own little survey....

 

[Serghey]

Hi Jan

She was properly qualified with her certificates on the wall and they were genuine, I checked !

[sm=sad2.gif][sm=sad2.gif]

I just dont understand where she went wrong except to jump on the £ train and forget the training!

 

[TaeD]

Hi Rosie

I will only say that it was a specialist complementary clinic in the uk.[]

 

[Debisforeverfree]

Not had a bad treatment yet with a qualified therapist, but then, since qualifying have only done swaps and have had no problems (Jan - I'll cover my ears, if you want !!) I have had a few bad massages though in local clinics and at health farms

I think as therapists, we are more critical. I know before I qualified, I didn't look too closely at the details, as long as the room was warm enough and I came out more relaxed, so the public are not always as aware as we are of bad practice.

I have had students practice on me (massage and reflexology) and find it harder to criticise them, as they are usually nervous, so try to be constructive and not give them too many criticisms. I do, however, have one client, whose personal hygeine has a lot to be desired and is training to be a reflexologist herself. When she practised on me, she sneezed in her hand before the treatment and then gave them a cursory rinse under the tap for ten seconds, without using soap. She'd been learning for a few months and this is basic stuff, but I did let it pass, although I know I wouldn't have if I had been paying her...

Lesley

 

[Joni ?s Chachi]

That sounds like a terrible treatment [:'(] poor you!

It sounds as if I know more than her and have only been doing my course for 3 months

 

[Tita]

This is really gob-smacking.

I was going to say that perhaps this is example of why therapists should be very careful about who attends their ' friend and family ' workshops. There are at least two 'therapists' in my area that I know have learnt their 'craft' at short workshops and there is nothing in law to stop them. However, if this one had certificates on the wall then obviously not the case.

 

[lizzedess]

You give a lovely treatment, Lesley and massage.

I dont know how people manage with long nails, thats one of my bugbears. A fellow student when training had acrylics and was very loth to lose them, at our expense.

Jan

 

[Bad Radio]

sounds horrendous and I get so angry when I hear this as it affects the rest of us hardworking caring therapists....tut tut...

T
x

 

[jmau]

Jan, a student with acrylic nails shouldn't technically pass the qualification.

Lesley

 

[b_brownell]

Sounds like more of a spa or beauty treatment to me....

We make any therapist who wants to work with us give us a treatment and won't take them on unless they pass MY rigorous standards! I have got two great ones recently and they are getting repeat bookings which speaks for itself. I want our clients to know that they will get a great treatment whoever they have, despite their preference.

I know I give a good treatment because people tell me (sorry if that sounds very big-headed, but there you go and they always come back). They often comment on past experience and say things like 'you have a good firm touch and I like that' and they complain about treatments not being firm enough and lots of stroking going on.

My only advice is that you should not really have to pay for treatments. I get mine from friends and other therapists and I know who is good and don't bother now with others, though I have had to in the past. I will wait and grab what I can when I can. I've had the nails stuck in me too and they weren't acrylic, just rough and she was one of our therapists who thankfully has moved on. I was shocked really and just thought 'this isn't what I want our clients to experience.'

You need to network with other therapists, which is quite easy in this line of work as they are mostly friendly and keen to pal up. Start asking around, try them out and when they give you a good treatment offer a swop.

Good luck!

 

[brighteyes76a]

How often do I have a treatment? Well, I had one a fortnight ago. The reflexology treatment I had before that was the week before my exam, so that would be about two and a half years ago [&:] although I've had other treatments since, like acupuncture, shiatsu and cranial osteopathy. Still, very infrequent.

The treatment I had just before my exam was awful. The reflexologist had learnt a completely different sequence from me (probably not a good idea to have a treatment from a stranger right befre an exam) so it really threw me. I probably spent too much time and energy on concentrating on what she was doing rather than trying to relax, so my fault. But also, the room was so small (with no windows so no natural light) that the couch had to be put it on the diagonal. It was cramped and closed in and I left that treatment having breathing problems and a panic attack due to claustrophobia. Shan't be going there again.