The scope and limitations of treatment. An interview with Ann Lett - and "A distinction between Reflex Therapy and reflexology"

Ann Lett was born in Johannesburg South Africa and trained as a nurse in1953, and subsequently as a midwife in London. In1977 she was treated with reflex
zone therapy following a road traffic accident, and subsequently pursued a career in reflex zone therapy by undertaking training with many European practitioners.In1979 she trained with Hanne Marquardt in Germany, and in1981was asked to develop the British School of Reflex Zone Therapy at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases in London. Shortly after this, she and Ms.Marquardt established schools of reflex zone therapy in Israel and Barcelona.

Her book Reflex ZoneTherapy for Health Professionals, published in 2000 by Churchill
Livingstone (ISBN 0 443 060150), is the culmination of 23 years of expertise in reflex zone
therapy, and 47 years of nursing experience. She is presently Principle, British School --Reflex Zone Therapy of the Feet, Wembley Park,UK.
In this interview, Ann discusses the scope and limitations of reflexology and how she sees this profession developing in the future. 

Q. Anne, we are keen to explore your views of the scope and limitations of reflexology with particular reference to diagnosis.

A. The statement that reflexology can be used to make a diagnosis is untrue and not to be
found in any published text. Since reflexologists claim to treat their clients holistically, rather than treating a named disease or syndrome, it is surprising to hear claims of being able to make a specific
diagnosis.
Q. In your view, what can reflexology not do?
A. Let me take you through some of the published literature on reflexology. In 1917
Zone Therapy was published by Fitzgerald and Bowers (Fitzgerald & Bowers 1917).
Fitzgerald argued that ‘pressure applied upon the zones corresponding to the location of the injury will tend to relieve pain and if pressure is applied for long enough it can produce an analgesia or insensibility to pain’. But they noted that this is of course not an infallible or inevitable result.
Marquardt’s book Reflex Zone Therapy of the Feet in 1983 (Marquardt 1983) was a major contribution to the subject. She claimed that abnormal reflex zones should not be interpreted as indicating disease, nor provide a basis for making an ‘interesting diagnosis’. Diagnosis is the prerogative of the doctor. When a doctor is familiar with this method he will certainly take into account diagnostic indications arising from abnormal zones on the feet and may use these to assist in drawing up a differential diagnosis. However, she argued that there was often a great temptation to lay too much emphasis on the
abnormal reflex zone found, particularly when the patient asks what this or that painful area signifies. I agree with Marquardt when she says that a good practitioner, whose sole interest is the patient’s progress, will only allude to the possibility of malfunction of organs or systems in that zone, and not declare the presence of specific disease. The therapist will not therefore ‘create
anxiety or a neurotic response in a patient who has a hypochondriacal tendency’.

In my latest book, Reflex Zone Therapy for Health Professionals (Lett 2000) I again emphasize that it is important to remember that assessment is not a diagnostic tool except in the hands of someone who has been trained to make a diagnosis. I emphasize that ‘it must be reiterated that a medical diagnosis cannot be made on the feet, except by a doctor’ (Lett 2000, p. 75). This, I feel, is very important.

The following report  was published back in 2014, imagine if this distinction ever went through and there association flourished and prospered. Reflexology in the UK might not have been the same.

Report on a membership audit of the Association of Chartered
Physiotherapists in Reflex Therapy (ACPIRT)

A distinction between Reflex Therapy and reflexology was proposed at the inception of ACPIRT. It was suggested that as an allied medical professional, upon whom there is an obligation of diagnosis and outcome measurement, a physiotherapist practices Reflex Therapy rather than reflexology. Yet, the audit showed that ACPIRT members do not universally support this distinction and many refer to themselves as physiotherapists practicing reflexology. Findings from the audit suggest that a distinction may, indeed, be valid and findings are presented in Table 1.

TWO NEW DATES for the Orthopedic Reflexology 3 day training in Athens 2025!

I am very pleased to announce the next two dates for training in Athens. 

 

This training over the years has gained popularity and the satisfaction rate of the participants    has always been high to very high. 

This 3 day training is offered in the English language to international students. It is a great opportunity to combine a vacation in Greece with one of the most popular and successful
reflexology trainings offered at the moment.

Besides the training, and only for those who wish, in the afternoon, an added valuable benefit is the small sightseeing tours in Athens and late dinners, just as the locals do. In general we will spend time together so as you get the most out of your trip to Greece.  

(Admission fees to museums and meals are at the participant’s expense.)  

The course will be held between 9:30am – 16:30pm so this will give you more than enough time for sightseeing in downtown Athens or to enjoy the Athens Riviera which is very close to the venue. During our 3 day course I will be your host and you will have my full attention  so as to accommodate your stay and make sure you get the most from your visit to Athens.

Included in the price, and only for the trainings in Athens, are the following extras 

- The Pythagorean cup, or the “Cup of greed", this is a wonderful souvenir of Greece and will prove helpful for your training in pain education.

- and the OR training video!

The normal price for purchase is 100 euro.

For persons who have already completed the OR training, and wish to attend again, a 50% discount applies.

Coffee, tea, fresh fruits will be offered at the breaks and are included in the course fee.      One evening dinner at a local traditional Greek taverna is on me!

Spring training Friday 11^th- Sunday 13^th of April 2025

Investment: 430€

Early bird booking by 15/01/2025 offer price 350€

Deposit: 100€ (non refundable in the case of cancellation, but,                          you will receive the OR training video - sample here) 

Indian summer training Sunday September 28^th-Tuesday 30^th  2025 

This training is scheduled the next day after the ICR conference in Athens which will be held
from on the 26^th and 27^th. I have chosen this date to accommodate those possibly interested in OR training and will be attending the conference. And because it will be World Reflexology Week, an extra discount (50 euro) on the early bird fee is added.

Investment: 430€

Early bird booking by 01/01/2025 World Reflexology Week offer price 300€

Deposit: 100€ (non refundable, in the case of cancellation, but, you will receive the OR training video - sample here) 

 

For enquiries or to book your place please contact: spirosreflex@gmail.com

Or +30 6936163040 Viber or WhatsApp

See you in Athens!

ORTHOPEDIC REFLEXOLOGY

In the Orthopedic Reflexology approach, we learn in detail the anatomy of the lower limb. This means the bones of the foot, the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the foot, the arteries, veins and lymph vessels, the peripheral nerves of the feet, the ligaments and tendons.

We do this because, as Reflexologists, we apply various manual techniques to the feet in order to affect the reflexes there. Our techniques are not only superficial skin deep but can go deeper much deeper, right to the bone. A better understanding of the anatomical structures where our reflexes are embedded will enlighten us on choosing and applying correctly the most efficient techniques and finally doing an even better job.

Different manual techniques have different results, and up to date research is informing us of exactly that. Hippocrates in the 5^th century BC seems to have been ahead of his time. This is because he wrote back then a specific paragraph describing the variety in manual techniques based on the amount of pressure applied and the duration of the application. Importantly he also wrote down for us the effect each application has on the tissues. And it is a definitive fact, that today’s research findings, agree with his from back then.

In Orthopedic Reflexology training, we learn and understand this paragraph, and we utilize it through our techniques on the intrinsic muscles and other structures in the feet, where the reflexes are embedded, where they exist.

In order for nature to heal everything must be in moderation which is best.

By utilizing the experience one has obtained in discriminating the reflex areas or the condition

of the foot’s tissues and then applying the correct technique, the proper amount of pressure for the appropriate amount of time, to achieve the “medium” as taught by Hippocrates in order for nature to heal. Orthopedic Reflexology practitioners use the present condition of the tissues of the feet as a guide to proceed in applying our techniques.  Anatomical charts to understand the reflexes, Dr. Fitzgerald’s zones, the Chinese meridians and fascial continuities, as well as to effectively work on the feet.

In Orthopedic Reflexology we also learn how to alleviate, complementary to standard care, a number of foot issues such as hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis and hammer toes, which in turn reflexively affect and help treat disorders found in other parts of the body.

Hippocrates describes in detail four main “veins” that are considered the forefather of the Chinese meridians. These veins or meridians have striking similarities with the modern therapeutic concept of myofascial chains which are continuous lines of connective tissue that run through the body. The Hippocratic veins will be outlined theoretically in detail and compared to Tom Myers myofascial chains and the Chinese meridians and approached practically until the knee and elbow respectively.

During this 3 day course attention is also given to understanding modern concepts of pain and the “science” behind Reflexology and utilizing this knowledge in our every day work. The history and origin of reflexology is also reviewed.

Please note – Orthopedic reflexology is open to all who wish to have a better understanding of the lower limb and Reflexology, and not only to Reflexologists. Upon completion of the course everyone will be able integrate the techniques learnt immediately into their practice.

In short…

– if you ever wanted to specialize in the lower limbs (anatomy physiology),
– if you ever wondered why what you already do with Reflexology is helpful,
– if you ever wonder why you are NOT helping,
– if you ever wanted to be introduced to the sphere of Greek medicine

Then this course is for you!

The majority of the course is focused on the practical applications of the Orthopedic Reflexology techniques. There are many structures in our feet and each one requires a unique technique.

Orthopedic Reflexology 3 Day Course

• Hippocrates and Galens guide on the effects of “rubbing” Anatripsis
• Anatomy of the foot
  
• Hippocrates 4 pairs of Veins (meridians)
• Muscle chains/ Zones/ Chinese meridians/ Nerve pathways
• Orthopedic Reflexology Maps
• Hippocrates Holistic approach
• The ‘science’ behind reflexology
• Effective techniques for local foot problems such as hallux valgus and hammer toes
• Explain Pain-understanding the modern concepts
• Referenced Reflexology History – Why is this important for the outcome of your treatment and for our future as a profession?

This link leads to search for accomodation near the venue. The location is pinned yellow 

https://www.airbnb.gr/s/Pandrosou-31--%CE%A0%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%B1%CE%B9%CF%8C-%CE%A6%CE%AC%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%BF--%CE%95%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%AC%CE%B4%CE%B1/homes?tab_id=home_tab&refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&flexible_trip_lengths%5B%5D=one_week&monthly_start_date=2024-12-01&monthly_length=3&monthly_end_date=2025-03-01&price_filter_input_type=0&channel=EXPLORE&query=Pandrosou%2031%2C%20%CE%A0%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%B1%CE%B9%CF%8C%20%CE%A6%CE%AC%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%BF&date_picker_type=calendar&checkin=2025-04-10&checkout=2025-04-14&source=structured_search_input_header&search_type=user_map_move&price_filter_num_nights=4&zoom_level=16.712863264897518&place_id=ChIJ42YkvzC8oRQRgIoo3hMd_88&search_mode=regular_search&ne_lat=37.933641515372464&ne_lng=23.712861259842754&sw_lat=37.92941823596214&sw_lng=23.696509977501364&zoom=16.712863264897518&search_by_map=true

 TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT:

The Athens International Airport (ATH) is officially named “El. Venizelos” and known as AIA. It is located 33km/20.5 miles from the Athens City Center.

Follow transfer Options from Athens Airport to Athens City Center and back to the airport again.

 (the pricing information below is a guideline only, and maybe subject to change)

Depending on your budget there are several options available:

Athens Airport to City Center by Taxi

The most convenient, and the most expensive option. The yellow taxis can be found at the official taxi rank outside Exit 3 of the Arrivals level. It is a flat fee of 40€/42€ during the daytime (05:00 am – 00:00 am) and 55€/58€ during the nighttime. The trip to Athens city center takes 35-40 minutes under normal traffic conditions.

Athens Airport to City Center by Metro/Train

The Athens Airport Subway is a five minute walk from the terminal and is located on the Departures level. It is connected to the main terminal via an elevated passageway. There are also elevators leading to the connecting bridge, that can be challenging if travelling with luggage. Follow the “Train” signs to get to the subway. Tickets can be purchased at the station’s ticket office or from automatic vendors. Cost is 9€/10$ for a one-way ticket (4.50€/5.22$ for students and elders) and 16€/18.56$ for a return ticket. 

The train trip to Syntagma Square is about 40 minutes from Metro Line 3, departing every 36 minutes between 06:10 am to 11:34 pm. If you will be using public transportation during your visit to Athens it is recommended that you purchase Tourist Tickets and ATH.ENA cards.

Athens Airport to City Center by Bus

The most affordable option is the Athens Airport bus. At a cost of 5.50€/6.38$ (2.70€/3.13$ if under 18 or over 65), the Bus X95 will take you to Syntagma Square in downtown Athens in about 60 minutes, depending on traffic. During peak hours, this trip could take more than 90 minutes. Buses run every 40 minutes. Tickets are available from the airport ticket offices or on board, and the bus stop is located at the Arrivals level, between Exits 4 and 5. Tourist tickets and ATH.ENA cards can also be used offering lower fares for multiple public transport journeys. 

If you wish to hire a private driver at the same price as the yellow cab I can offer a suggestion.