Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology for the Reflexology Practitioner

The Intermediate Reflexology course includes two learning units – 201 and 202 – with 24 hours of lecture and 24 hours of practicum in each unit. Coursework is aimed at exploring body systems through a whole-person lens and practicums are designed to help us apply our theoretical understandings of these systems on the reflex maps of the feet.

When: Monday, November 6th 2023 – Saturday, March 23rd 2024
Where: Online and in the Austin, Texas studio
Register: Registration is $792 through the Student Portal
Prerequisite: Foundations in Reflexology or equivalent 48 hour coursework

201 Body through Endocrine Systems – 48 hours

This unit has six lectures covering the following topics:

1. The Body – Anatomy and physiology begins with an understanding of the human body in terms that are relatable and easy to understand.
2. The Integumentary System – The skin is the largest organ of the body and can give us cues as to what is going on below the surface.
3. The Skeletal System – Bones are the framework of our body house – offering support, protection, shape, and movement, as well as mineral homeostasis.
4. The Muscular System – Muscles create movement for the bones and joints of the body as well as internal organs like the digestive tract.
5. The Nervous System – The nervous system picks up on what’s happening inside and outside the body and integrates this information to form a response.
6. The Endocrine System – The chemical messaging system of the body regulates many functions ranging from how deep tonight’s sleep will be to how tall you grew.

These lectures are delivered live via Zoom and are recorded for participants who cannot make the live lesson.

Following the Zoom lectures are three days of in-person practicum offered in the Austin, Texas studio. They include:

Day One:

• Observing the Feet – partnering with a classmate, we’ll explore skin hydration and tone and general nail health, then review the body systems reflected on the feet;
• SOAP Notes – partnering with a classmate, we’ll practice documenting our observations;
• Reflex Techniques – we’ll add a couple of techniques to our routine for the central nervous system reflexes and practice the general ~30 minute foot routine.

Day Two:

• Gait Analysis – we’ll review gait analysis and practice observing classmate’s gaits for stress cues;
• Reflex Location – we’ll put our theoretical lessons into practice by mapping out the musculoskeletal system reflexes on a classmate’s foot;
• Nervous & Musculoskeletal System Practice – partnering with a classmate, we’ll practice a protocol for the nervous and musculoskeletal system reflexes.

Day Three:

• Endocrine System Routine – partnering with a classmate, we’ll practice working the endocrine system simultaneously on both feet;
• Forty Minute Foot Routine – we’ll pull together our new techniques and create a ~40 minute enhanced foot reflexology treatment with classmates;
• Areas of Emphasis – armed with a ~40 minute enhanced routine we’ll dip our toes into session planning skills to hone in on areas that need a bit more attention than others.

By the end of Unit 201 we’ll have a roughly forty minute foot reflexology routine that can easily be expanded to a full hour.

202 Respiratory through Reproductive Systems – 48 hours

There are six lectures covering the following topics:

1. The Respiratory System – Respiration is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide through inhalation and exhalation.
2. The Cardiovascular System – A 6,000+ mile network of vessels transports nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products like carbon dioxide and cellular waste around the body.
3. The Lymphatic and Immune System – The lymphatic and immune system is part of our body’s built in maintenance that transports fats and fat-soluble vitamins as well as providing a surveillance and defense mechanism against pathogens.
4. The Digestive System – The digestive system is designed to break down food into usable macro and micro nutrients in order to provide fuel for every cell in the body.
5. The Urinary System – Our built-in water treatment facility, the Urinary System filters the blood and controls pH, volume, composition, and pressure.
6. The Reproductive System – The reproductive system is unique in that it doesn’t come online until puberty and maintains function until midlife when menopause/manopause bring a decline or halt to proliferative processes in the gonads.

These lectures are delivered live via Zoom and are recorded for participants who cannot make the live lesson.

Following the Zoom lectures are three days of in-person practicum offered in the Austin, Texas studio. They include:

Day One:

• Observing the Feet – partnering with a classmate, we’ll explore new the new body systems we covered over lecture;
• SOAP Notes – partnering with a classmate, we’ll practice documenting our observations;
• Thoracic Routine – we’ll add to our existing chest region protocols to specifically target reflex locations for respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
• Lymphatics – we’ll take some basic measurements of the feet then commence with a lymphatic routine and see if we notice changes in our classmate’s measurements;
• Digestive System Routine – this routine follows the natural flow of food from the mouth to the anus, with accessory digestive organs;

Day Two:

• Urinary System Routine – this routine helps the body remove liquid waste via the urinary bladder;
• Reproductive System Routine – further enhancing our work from 201’s practicum routine for the endocrine system we’ll practice positioning for prenatal clients too;

Day Three:

• Sixty Minute Foot Routine – we’ll pull together our new techniques and create a ~60 minute complete foot reflexology treatment with classmates;
• Areas of Emphasis – armed with a ~60 minute complete routine we’ll practice incorporating areas of emphasis.

Snack and lunch breaks are taken outdoors in the carport, no food or drink is permitted in the studio. Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and may utilize the refrigerator, microwave, and toaster oven in the kitchen.

Registration

To register, visit the Intermediate Reflexology Course page on our user portal over on Practice Better. Pay the $792 tuition (in one payment or installments). You will receive a confirmation via email (check your spam folder!) and be automatically added to the course. You can use the contact form to send an email if you have questions or schedule a Student Advising via Zoom with Amy.

Registration is open to those who have attended our Foundations in Reflexology or  equivalent 48 hours of reflexology coursework. Seating is available for eight (8) participants working on classmates during the practicum. This level is offered a couple times a year for folks to learn a comprehensive 60 minute foot reflexology treatment protocol to practice on loved ones, integrate into an existing practice, or to sit for the ARCB Board Exam and become a board certified foot reflexologist.

Tuition

$792 for 96 hour Intermediate Reflexology course

Class Refund Policy

Class payments are non-refundable, but may be used towards future classes within a twelve month period if you contact us to withdraw within two weeks (14 days) BEFORE the start of class. If you withdraw with less than two weeks (14 days) from the start of class all payments made are non-refundable or transferrable and any balance owed is still due if your payment plan is not complete. Your tuition covers the cost of a seat in the course, whether or not you are in attendance. If you have to miss classes we will help you make up the missed material. We know that circumstances change and life challenges come up, but we cannot make exceptions.