World Reflexology blog based in Athens Greece by Spiridon Dimitrakoulas, Orthopedic Reflexologist. "All people should learn the art of medicine, Hippocrate, especially those who are educated and have experience with words, because this is beautiful and at the same time usefull in life." - - Democritus
Google Website Translator Gadget_________ ATTENTION "Αγγλικά" is ENGLISH !!!!!
Τετάρτη 11 Φεβρουαρίου 2026
How does Reflexology work?
Τρίτη 16 Σεπτεμβρίου 2025
NEW MASTERCLASS "Pouring Wisdom into Practice with the Pythagorean Cup"
A One-Time Masterclass for
Reflexologists
Join us for a unique and enriching masterclass that blends modern pain science with the timeless clinical insights of Hippocrates.
This session is designed specifically for Reflexologists who want to deepen their understanding of pain, refine their clinical reasoning, and confidently educate clients dealing with chronic discomfort.
Discover the power of the Pythagorean cup, patient history, and pain science—all in a single, practical session for reflexologists.
- Why understanding pain matters for reflexologists
- How to educate clients in pain neurophysiology
- Clinical reasoning inspired by Hippocrates
- The “Cup of Pain” – a powerful tool for client conversations
Perfect for experienced
reflexologists who are passionate about truly helping clients with
chronic pain.
This course includes:
- 1 downloadable powerpoint used in the presentation
- List of resources
- Certificate of completion
- This is more than just a
class—it’s a deep dive into the art and science of healing.
If you’re a Reflexologist, or any other therapist, on a path to continuing education, looking to integrate wisdom with modern science, this is for you!
Watch the promo to get an idea...
Τρίτη 30 Ιουλίου 2024
Pedes Anatomia online training course
"Pedes Anatomos"
(Foot Anatomist).
The video lessons are broken down into topics and it is suggested you follow them in the order as follows.
1. Practical application of techniques according to Hippocrates Paragraph 17 (Theory)
Duration 17:53
In this very
important paragraph, Hippocrates provides simple guidelines on the application
of all manual techniques, thumb walking definitely included. This paragraph
answers accurately every time the questions “Where should I press?” “How much
pressure should I use?” “For how long should I press?”
This specific video
will be useful to any hands on (manual) therapist.
2. Foot skeleton (Theory)
Duration 29:20
Duration 33:18 Lecturing on the Cranial nerves and Cranio Sacral reflexology
Will need: Air dry clay white color
4.
Theory around the
ligaments and creating the ligaments. Duration 19:12
In this lesson Ligaments have two functions and can be grouped into two anatomical categories. One function is that of static stabilizers of joints and the second function is sensory or proprioceptive. The presence of mechanoreceptors implies a sensory role for some ligaments and that this afferent information could regulate the stiffness of the muscles surrounding the joint and improve its stability. So it is of benefit to begin a treatment with mobilizations especially on feet with stiff muscles, thus reflexes, in order to reinforce the central nervous system to relax them. This is a trick to aid us in our work. Of course the mobilizations may be practiced during the treatment and at the end.
Will need: Air dry clay another color besides white for the ligaments and printable charts with color markers.
5. Orthopedic Reflexology techniques for the ligaments, mobilizing of the bones (practical) Duration 28:45
Notice: this will be the only hands on demostration of techniques. From the Orthopedic Reflexology repertoire! "A selection of foot ligaments, relative to every Reflexologist!"
In this video I present some manual techniques, low grade mobilizations, thumb walking of course and the Apoxesis techniques (scraping) for these ligaments and their surrounding surfaces.
Third muscle layer – next 3 videos
6. Flexor Hallucis Brevis
Duration 12:11
Lecturing on the significance of this muscle in sports but the elderly also. Special technique to sedate the sympathetic nervous system and tips for when to use this technique.
7. Adductor Hallucis Duration 13:56 "Lucky number 7"
A very special muscle to use for rehabilitation of the hands fine movement, opposition of the thumb specifically. This muscle has a reflexology connection to the trapezius, is very important and helpful for bunion's, morton's neuroma, tingling of the toes.
8. Digitti minimi Duration
6:20
This muscle is the reflex area for the muscles of the arm. I also discuss how to work for tendon or ligament issues of the shoulder and arm thinking feet anatomy and a connection with the urinary bladder taught by Anthony Porter.
9. Second muscle layer and tendons Duration
46:25
This lesson is special for it's association with issues of the all organs. We begin by talking about the tendons in the plantar surface of the foot, with a major focus on the "Master knot of Henry". We highlight Ingham's helper area on the medial lower leg, it's facial connection to the "Deep front line" according to Myers and explain how this area helps in any visceral inflammation the medial knee and much more. I show you the referral area for carpal tunnel issues and some muscles for low back pain. Many techniques are described for these structures. Advice for clawtoes, hammertoes and mallet toes. Connections to respitory muscles.
10. The arteries veins and nerves of the feet Duration 34:52
We draw in the major arteries and nerves in the feet and make Reflexology correlations to major arteries of the body. Two special nerves on the plantar surface of the foot for any kind of inflammation accrding to osteopathic medicine by Barral. Clear explanation on how to work these two nerves. We learn about the bands of retinacula and how they can disrupt blood supply and the baroreceptor reflex. A lot of information from research is mentioned regarding reflexology and heart/blood pressure research.
11. Plantar interossei Duration 12:40
These muscles are reflexes to important respitory muscles. They play a major role in the configuration of the toes and can be used in toe reading. I explain how. Ever wonder where the midline of the hand and foot are?
12. Abductor hallucis Duration 12:58
We begin with an overview of the tarsal tunnel. We create with playdoh this muscle and in a similar way you can create any other muscle. We will draw this muscle on our feet, something you can do and should for any other muscle or tendon, ligament and so on, for training purposes.
13. Plantar fascia - the aponeurosis Duration 04:30
Why should I work on the plantar fascia, and what's it's connection to the superficial back line and the urinary bladder? Thorough explanation of some usefull techniques.
What else besides the videos is included?
• The Pedes Anatomia textbook (pdf) where all relevant anatomical information is described and accompanied with anatomy maps.
• The students will receive in pdf format the Pedes Anatomia foot skeleton charts (4) and a graph measurement for them to print out. The charts are to be printed on paper for drawing or practicing.
- Facetime meeting with Spiros and Certificate of Achievement "Pedes anatomos"
General information on Pedes Anatomia
Pedes
Anatomia is a training module of Orthopedic Reflexology, unique in that the
student engages in a 100% hands on learning process through artistic creation
of the anatomical parts of the feet. Meaning the intrinsic muscles, ligaments, tendons,
arteries, bones and nerves. The art
mediums used may be any of the following:
·
Air
drying clay
·
Homemade
play dough
·
Commercially
sold play-dough
·
Drawing
pencils, markers or pens or paints/brushes
Learning
anatomy for most is a challenge on its own requiring amounts of energy for memorization;
the challenge is greater for parts like the feet and hands that contain many
other smaller parts. Yet in many of these cases this is still knowledge based
on memory and often fades away over time. There exist three different learning styles,
them being visual, auditory and kinesthetic or tactile learning. Though the statistics vary when we speak
about training in general, when it comes to anatomy auditory is at its lowest,
visual average and kinesthetic at its prime, something obvious when you think
of dissection labs or massage/reflexology/bodywork training.
But even
then, the anatomy of the feet is neglected, possibly due to the many small
detailed structures and the four layers of intrinsic muscles. This is evident
when one goes through anatomy atlases or sports kinesiology books; in most of
them put simply the intrinsic muscles of the feet are absent. This absence is
also present in massage, reflexology or other bodywork trainings. And further
on this continues in every day practice, think of how many foot problems are
diagnosed as “plantar
fasciitis”, the answer is most of them.
Pedes Anatomia, is an online training module that combines
all three learning styles but engages the student at the comfort of their home
and at their free time to emphasize on the kinesthetic and tactile style. This
is accomplished by the student turning into an artist forming shaping and
eventually creating the anatomical parts he has just watched on the training
video and following the directions he has heard.
Incorporating
mediums like clay, play dough and drawing the student can now learn by engaging
and creating in an artistic, playful and carefree environment something as
challenging as feet anatomy. For the brain this procedure will be new and fun,
an exploration! There will be creational repetition in order to obtain the
desired or satisfactory artistic result on any given anatomical part. And once
the student is satisfied with his/her creation the knowledge will have been
absorbed and never forgotten, stored in our long term memory because the
student created it with their own hands.
This
creation will happen through fine movements from our hands intrinsic muscles
which in turn will engage the higher brain centers involved in such movements,
through art we will be able to express and search our emotions thus engaging
our mid brain. Through creative repetition every part will be created better
and better engaging autonomic and automated centers like the brain stem and
cerebellum. This knowledge eventually will be stored in our hands and in our
nervous system for life, creating confidence for life on such a challenging
topic.
The average Reflexologist most of the time applies techniques
to the feet through projection of an anatomical map of the body on them in a
smaller scale of course. We all began
with one map, a basic one and from there on started to learn other maps or
systems to project on the feet. A wonderful complement to this traditional training
would be to train in Pedes Anatomia because:
·
During
the creation of the parts in the training videos I talk extensively about the
reflexology correlations to that given part exactly as I do in my three day
Orthopedic Reflexology training, something very much appreciated by all
participants. So it’s always Reflexology. Also discussed are Chinese meridian
associations and above all Hippocratic meridian.
·
Eunice
Ingham’s theory of Reflexology effectiveness is based on the breaking down of
accumulated uric acid restoring blood flow. From her time a few other theories
have surfaced explaining how Reflexology works, for example irritated nerve
endings, calcifications of connective tissue, energy etc. Hippocrates
introduced science to the art of medicine and we will approach all of these
different theories “of action” of Reflexology through the anatomy. Hippocrates
contributes to these theories because he gave us specific detailed guidance on
the effect manual techniques have on tissues and joints depending on the two variants
amount of pressure and time of application. You will learn these guidelines and
be in a position to apply them on the tissues of the feet where your reflex
charts are projected.
·
You
will teach yourself to think and project our reflexology maps on the feet in
three dimensions as opposed to one or two dimensions as our charts are usually
made.
Because organs and muscles overlap on the body, the same happens on the
feet when we project the body on them, after all there are five layers of
tissue in the feet! So once the training begins you will start applying techniques
varying in depth on any aspect of the foot to reach the reflex of interest.
·
You
will teach yourself which of your wonderful techniques to apply depending on
the structures you are touching on any given part of the foot, a joint cannot
have the same requirements as a muscle or a tendon can it? Once you know what
you are touching you will know which techniques are best suited.
·
Though
experimenting in my trainings on and off with mediums such as clay and drawing,
this course came to life during the Covid-19 lockdown. I did not have my
training materials with me at home and due to isolation I could not get them so
I had to improvise. Through improvising I discovered I was making art in a way,
and through art in this difficult period for all, my feelings surfaced I could
express myself; I found a way to heal and support myself.
Pedes Anatomy
are Greek words and would translate as follows:
Pedes mean
feet, or to stand on ones feet, and lastly but importantly to bind and brace,
something you will be doing with your hands, you will be binding creating the
structures of the feet.
Anatomia is made up of the words ana- meaning “up” but is also used to
show a complete movement from beginning to end, for example inhale-exhale would
be respiration, in Greek ana –pnoe.
-tomia means
to “cut or incise”
So Pedes Anatomia literally
means to cut up or to take apart the feet but also to put the parts
together again. So Pedes Anatomia describes the
art and science of studying the different parts of the feet through the
process of dividing and uniting them.
Upon successful completion the
participants will be described as
Pedes Anatomos – Feet Anatomist an expert in anatomy of the feet.
Τετάρτη 20 Δεκεμβρίου 2023
Registration is open for the Orthopedic Reflexology Spring 2024 training in Athens
Orthopedic Reflexology training to international students in Athens Greece is back again!
This is a great opportunity to combine a vacation in Greece with one of the most popular and successful reflexology trainings offered at the moment.
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. During our 3 day course Spiros will be your host and his full attention will be at you the participants so as to accommodate your visit and make sure you get the most from your visit to Athens.
For those who wish small sightseeing tours will be organized and in general we will spend time together after the course and most likely with other Greek colleagues. (Admission fees to museums and meals are at the participant’s expense.)
At this time of the year many sports teams will be getting into playoff season, so it is most likely that we will have more than enough of them to practice on!
Included as a gift will be the “cup of greed of Pythagoras”, organic beeswax handmade by me and the OR training DVD!).
For persons who have already completed the OR training but wish to attend a 50% discount applies.
Coffee, tea, fresh fruits will be offered at the breaks and are included in the course fee.
For enquiries or to book your place please contact: info@nhs.gr
Τρίτη 24 Μαρτίου 2020
Announcing the "PRIVATE LESSONS" with Spiros
Because of this change in my life too, and because some people have already expressed the desire for training I have decided to offer
online "One on One Personal Training".
I am interested in reaching out to fellow colleagues who already have a basic knowlegde and understanding of Reflexology and to offer them
post graduate training in a wide range of topics alll reflexology related.
Guidance on further training, on professional developement either as a therapist or course provider or educator.
Coaching and self developement services either on a personal or professional level.
Advice on research.
Resources infinite amount of resources.
Orientation on the basics of reflexology, something that is very much needed today.
Technique supervision, to the point are online tools will fascilitate this.
Reflexology Client medical history enquieries - which questions to ask, how to use the information in reflexology.
Marketing - you know I have tried "standard" stuff, but in the end I found out what it comes down too. this evident because I do not use tools that others use. And what I do seems to be working.
And many many more...
I imagine it is difficult especailly this period to have a clear head and decide what you would like to pursue. The easy way to find out, if you are interested, is to have a talk with me.
Simple and easy, a friendly talk.
Together we can find out what you need and of course if I am the right person to offer this to you through online one on one training and coaching.
So, above all, be well and safe, practise behaviours that will protect your health and wellbeing during these challenging times.
If you want to ask a few questions, find out more, just talk and see where it goes, please contact me so as to arrange a initial one on one conversation (no charge) and see how I can be of benefit to you.
Like you, I am at home and have a lot of free time and very flexible :)
This proposal will be available only until things get back to normal. Hoping this situation lasts only for another month for the good of all of us.
Our next Orthopedic reflexology course is schedualed for May in Athens and I hope all will settle down and it will go through safely for everyone.
Before I end this blog I want to say that I have trained high performance athletes to apply self help techniques but to each other also, I have trained inmates in prison, I went to a kindergarden to teach toddlers how to apply techniques through play (part of a antibullying program) and of course I teach courses in classrooms in Greece and around the world, I can do this too!

spirosreflex@gmail.com

Spiros Bodyworx Dimitrakoulas

03 6936163040
Κυριακή 8 Δεκεμβρίου 2019
Reflexology training in Nicaragua
they are training medical personel in complementary medicine,
reflexology included.
https://www.tn8.tv/nacionales/491357-silais-nicaragua-capacitan-fitoterapia-medicina/
Κυριακή 1 Δεκεμβρίου 2019
Ορθοπεδική Ρεφλεξολογία με μία δόση Νεύρο Ρεφλεξολογίας
Στο συγκεκριμένο βίντεο θα δείτε μία ανακλαστική προσέγγιση του συμπαθητικού νευρικού συστήματος επηρεασμένο από την Νεύρο Ρεφλεξολογία (ΝΠ) εφαρμόζοντας αρχές και τεχνικές από την Ορθοπεδική ρεφλεξολογία (ΟΡ).
Στην Ορθοπεδική ρεφλεξολογία, μεταξύ άλλων, δίνεται έμφαση στην εκμάθηση της λεπτομερής ανατομίας του άκρου πόδα. Αυτή η γνώση, ή πιο σωστά, η πρακτική εφαρμογή αυτής της γνώσης δια των τεχνικών μας, θα συμβάλλει στο να εκτελέσουμε μία ακόμα πιο επιτυχημένη συνεδρία.
Για εκείνους που ενδιαφέρονται να εκπαιδευτούν στην ΟΡ το βίντεο είναι ένα καλό παράδειγμα για το πως πραγματοποιείται η εκπαίδευση. Πως δηλαδή εξετάζοντας έναν έναν τους μύες του άκρου πόδα, αλλά και όλες τις άλλες δομές, προχωρούμε σε σύγκριση και δημιουργικό προβληματισμό με σχολές ρεφλεξολογίας και άλλων επιστημών ώστε να καταλήξουμε στις πιο αποτελεσματικές τεχνικές.
Η συγκεκριμένη λήψη πραγματοποιήθηκε κατά την εκπαίδευση των σπουδαστών Ρεφλεξολογίας του 1ου έτους για την εκπαιδευτική ενότητα που αφορούσε το νευρικό σύστημα στο Natural Health Science το Νοέμβριο του 2019.
Στους σπουδαστές δόθηκαν επιπρόσθετες πληροφορίες για την ερμηνεία των διαταραγμένων ανακλαστικών σημείων κάτι που γίνεται και στο σεμινάριο ΟΡ.Ωστόσο είναι μία τεχνική που μπορείτε και πρέπει να την χρησιμοποιήσετε όλοι οι Ρεφλεξολογοί σε όλες τις συνεδρίες σας, εναρμονίζοντας στο τελευταίο βήμα όποιο ανακλαστικό βρίσκετε εκτός ισορροπίας με καταπραϋντικό χειρισμό.
Είμαι βέβαιος πλέον για την αξία της τεχνικής, αυτός είναι και ο λόγος που το μοιράζομαι με τους πρωτοετής σπουδαστές μας αλλά και με όλους σας. Η αξία της τεχνικής πολύ μεγάλη , η εφαρμογή της απλή. Αναφέρομαι σε αυτήν ως "αυλάκι". ...περισσότερα στην τάξη!
Η φωτογραφία είναι από το άρθρο "Can stress be painfull" των Dorthe Krogsgaard HMAR and Peter Lund Frandsen HMAR, Denmark το οποίο είναι δημοσιευμένο στην ιστοσελίδα τους. www.touchpoint.dk
Πληροφορίες για εκπαιδεύσεις στην Αθήνα εδώ.
Πληροφορίες για εκπαιδεύσεις στην υπόλοιπη Ελλάδα και στο εξωτερικό
https://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.com/
Κυριακή 17 Νοεμβρίου 2019
Meet Wendi, the new Reflexologist!
I came upon this article like so many other articles reflexology related, and you know, started going through it.From the start I thought "yep, its another article informing about or promoting a reflexologist", not much here I thought.
But as I continued I started reading about Wendi's training and certification process. And what really got me enthusiastic was the status of Massage Therapist Requirements in Minnesota which seems to apply to reflexologists too!
All that I read is great for me, one of the best examples around!
Who wants to meet Wendi the new Reflexologist?
Wendi Buzick took up some classes with the International Institute of Reflexology which is always a good choice considering that this is where Reflexology began due to Eunice Ingham the originator of the method.
In the article we read...
She explained that she took three courses that are 32 hours each, and then had 100 hours of practicing before she could officially start her own business.
PS: the totally opposite is happening in Massachusetts...
...a bill was introduced by Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, as a solution to end human trafficking. However, this bill will actually severely restrict, or more likely, put every Reiki practitioner out of business, as well as dozens of other alternative healing methods. In addition to Reiki, others include: The Feldenkrais Method, Reflexology, the Trager Approach, Ayurvedic Therapies, Rolf Structural Integration, Polarity or Polarity Therapy, Polarity Therapy Bodywork, Asian Bodywork, Acupressure, Jin Shin Do, Qi Gong, Tui Na, Shiatsu and Body/Mind Centering.
Κυριακή 10 Ιουνίου 2018
Orthopedic Reflexology training in Athens Greece Summer 2018
For the 3rd time Orthopedic Reflexology training will be offered to international students in Greece. Our two previous venues were in Tolo/Argos Greece.
This year we are moving to Athens and taking the date venue to the end of summer... at least for most of you, because in Greece summer lasts long.
It is a great oppurtunity to combine a vacation in Greece with one of the most popular and successfull reflexology trainings offered at the moment.
The adress of the venue will be in the Nea Smirni area near the center of Athens. There are plenty of airbnb at great prices nearby. I can help you out with this also.
The dates of the course are 31st of August 1st & 2nd September 2018 between 9:30 am - 16:30pm.
This gives you more then enough time for sight seeing or enjoying the sea in Greece's capitol. During your 3 day course my full attention will be at you the participants so as to accomodate your visit and you get the most out of it! If you wish I will guide you personally in the afternoon and evening so to make sure you get the most from your visit to Athens.A visit at the Acropolis museum along with a small sight seeing tour will be organized. In general for those who like, we will spend time together after the course and most likely with other Greek colleagues. (Admission fee's to museums and meals are at the participants expense.)
At this time of the year the sports teams will be getting ready for competition that will begin in September, it is most likely that we will have more then enough of them to practise on!
Orthopedic Reflexology Course Fee: 380euro/320euro*
*(Early Bird Course Fee until 10th July 2018 included as a gift will be the "cup of greed of Pythagoras", organic beeswax handmade by me and the OR training DVD!)
For enquiries or to book your place please contact: spirosreflex@gmail.com
ORTHOPEDIC REFLEXOLOGY
During the course attention is 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 reviewed.
- if you ever wondered why what you already do with Reflexology is helpful,
- if you wonder why you are NOT helping,
- if you ever wanted to be introduced to the sphere of Greek medicine
Orthopedic Reflexology 3 Day Course
• 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?
Students will receive the Hippocrates corpus in digital form, the four Hippocratic meridians and many other resources which can be used for reference purposes and for personal marketing.



