What a Good Foot Rub Can Do For the Body
“I was living a lie, I was not happy and I ended up with depression. Reflexology was a beacon light for me in the process of healing.”
Therapeutic foot massage, or reflexology, has been around for centuries as a practise that assists the body to align itself with health and wellbeing. The concept behind reflexology’s success comes from the fact that every organ in your body has nerves that run from the organs to your feet. The goal of Reflexology is to trigger the return to a state of equilibrium or balance in the body and this is accomplished through relaxing the body and stimulating the nerves associated with certain body organs and parts. This stimulation causes for the body to activate in its own healing process.
One woman, Lizette Strauss is passionate about reflexology for the relief it offers her clients and has offered her. 99FM’s MYD Heart sat down with former banker turned reflexologist to talk about the freedom that comes from following your calling as well as what this therapeutic treatment can offer patients.
99FM’s MYD Heart asked:
How did you become a reflexologist?
“I was working at the bank and felt that I had reached my ceiling. I felt confused and wanted out. It was not something easy to resolve though, as a lot of things were dependent on this decision. So I went to see a woman who advises people on how to realize their goals at work. I went on the advice of a friend of mine. This woman suggested I see a reflexologist and as soon as the reflexologist spoke to me, it struck me that this is what I should be doing. It took me three years and a lot of prayers to finally make the decision to become a reflexologist. I handed in my resignation, on my birthday which was the best birthday gift I could have given myself. I had been dragging myself along in work and I felt that I wasn’t being true to myself. It is so important to be true to yourself and not live a lie. I was living a lie, I was not happy and I ended up with depression. Reflexology was a beacon light for me in the process of healing.”
“Going back to study was the best time of my life. I felt like a child again and coming out of depression, it felt like a whole new world was opening up to me. Every day in the class I was in awe. It was amazing every day.”
Tell us about reflexology?
“Our nerves are connected to our organs, all the way from the brain. Each nerve is connected to a specific organ and ends on a specific place on the feet. So when we apply pressure to the nerves the message gets sent to the organs to secrete their own medication which is called endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for balancing the body. Endorphins improve blood circulation, boost the supply of oxygen and nutrients to our muscles and tissues and this promotes the removal of toxins and waste. This is how we feel good and healthy again. The medication, or endorphins, being released is how we feel well and optimal again.”
“There are a lot of contributing factors to our health such as our environment, our lifestyle and of course stress. But we, reflexologists, believe that stress originates internally. It starts inside because we are unbalanced. When we are balanced we are more able to cope with stress in life. Reflexology helps us to find our balance.”
What has the response been like to reflexology here in Namibia?
“Not many people know about reflexology in Namibia but they are slowly opening up to it. When I first started my business, I went to corporate businesses to do demonstrations about what reflexology is all about. Reflexology is about health, and also, it teaches you to take responsibility for your health. As clients have come for sessions they have seen the benefits and so it is growing.”
If you want to get in touch with Lizette Strauss you can reach her on +264 (0)81 331 8770 or by emailing lezaanst@iway.na