Currently only reflexology is recognised by health insurance companies. Check the details of your cover with your provider to see how much you can claim.
In general, you can expect to feel relaxed and soothed, or even energised and invigorated. Holistic treatments look at the bigger picture to see how your lifestyle, etc may be affecting your health and well-being.
It is not a tool for diagnosing health issues, but it can work well alongside standard medical practice as a complementary treatment.
Reflexology treatment involves sitting on a treatment couch, fully clothed, shoes and socks removed, trouser legs rolled up to allow for gentle massage of lower legs, but otherwise fully clothed.
After a brief consultation we begin with some relaxation exercises then move on to your treatment.
Reflexology involves pressing on reflex points in the feet to activate the corresponding organs in the body, using the feet as a mirror of the body and its organs and systems.
Reiki involves lying on a treatment couch, fully clothed, under a cosy blanket. Reiki helps to balance chakras. The body has energy flowing through it in much the same way as blood circulating in our veins.
Blocked energy can cause symptoms of ill health and releasing them can allow the life force energy to flow unimpeded through the body.
As you lie on the couch, I hold my hands in particular positions over you or sometimes place my hands on you to help flow the movement of the reiki energy.
Holistic Massage involves lying on the treatment couch while dressed in your underwear and draped in towels to always preserve modesty and decency.
Only the part of the body being worked on, i.e. legs, arms, back, is exposed at any time.
All the classic Swedish massage movements are used i.e. effleurage, petrissage, friction and percussion.
Indian Head Massage involves sitting on a chair, fully clothed, wearing a light t-shirt or top to allow for massage of the shoulders, upper back, and arms.
As most of us hold tension in these areas this massage treatment is very relaxing and soothing.
It is also possible to add an oil treatment to the head massage and a patch test would need to be carried out 24 hours in advance.
I’m Barbara Lanigan O’Neill owner of Bluebell Holistics.
I’m an ITEC qualified Reflexologist and Holistic Massage Therapist and a certified Reiki Practitioner with QQI qualifications in Indian Head Massage.
I’m located on the outskirts of Waterford City, Ireland.
