‘A man’s health can be judged by which he takes two at a time, pills or stairs’
Joan Welsh

The first sniff of a cold, and we’re swamping the chemists looking for that over-the-counter decongestant cum pain reliever. In western society, we want everything now, right now!

The quick fix. Years ago, a common flu was allowed to take its course, helped on by a natural home remedy like a hot honey and lemon drink.

Who’d have thought that something like antibiotics which are supposed to help can also have adverse effects taken too often over time? How many times do we have to be told that our diet and lifestyle is the key to good or bad health?

Isn’t it common sense that over-consumption of frilly lattes and nonsense yogurts is going to clog up the sinuses? As someone who’d eat a barrel of apples a day to keep the doctor away, I welcome complementary medicine wholeheartedly. Having just recently enquired about reflexology, I was delighted when the opportunity to avail of a session presented itself.

Fortunately for me, I’m not funny about feet. Like most people, I like mine rubbed at every opportunity, others, well they won’t let anyone near their tootsies. Since having a lengthy session of reflexology with Pearl Lonergan, I have come to understand this complementary therapy is much more than foot rubbing.

Pearl Lonergan, pictured above, works in the Mater hospital as a discharge co-ordinator. In the evenings, she runs a reflexology practice from home. She has always championed the use of complementary therapy alongside conventional medicine.

She was delighted when the Mater incorporated reflexology into its health care system. Pearl had worked in health care for years, but it was a migraine that eventually got her acquainted with reflexology.

After trying many different treatments unsuccessfully, Pearl opted for reflexology to ease her crippling migraine. Although there is no cure for migraine, reflexology did go a long way to managing the condition and with that, Pearl has never looked back. Such was the power of the treatment, Pearl then went on to train in reflexology in the Walmer College in Raheny.

So how does reflexology work I asked Pearl? Reflexology involves applying massage to certain points of the feet which correspond to particular body functions and organs. Energy then flows through the body along meridians that have their end points in the feet.

A healthy flow and balance of energy through these meridians is seen as being ultimately responsible for general good health and wellbeing (see diagram below).

As a receiver of any treatment, one can feel vulnerable but Pearl’s warm friendly manner on our greeting put paid to that and I relaxed instantly. Inside, the treatment room was warm with a nice view out onto a leafy road. Californian Sage incense wafting in the small intimate room only served to relax me even more.

As I listened to a hypnotic CD in the background, Pearl began to work on my feet. A session of reflexology is different for every individual so I had no expectations. But I was surprised when I began to experience sensations which moved around different parts of my body.

One particular pressure point on my foot was activating an age-old niggling nerve in my neck and shoulder. But the most surprising sensation I experienced, was a wave of panic that engulfed me right out of the blue. As someone who has lived with panic attacks, I breathed through it. After the panic wave passed, I lay savouring every moment of relaxing bliss.

The session lasted more than an hour and when it was over, Pearl and I had a chat. She assured me the wave of panic was a positive thing as it was my body releasing negative energy. She touched on other areas of my health that may need a little attention and guided me on how to strengthen those areas.

Pearl is emphatic about clearing up some misconstrued information surrounding reflexology. “We do not diagnose illnesses,” says Pearl, “we help people bring about balance in their mind and body which invariably has the potential to heal underlying conditions.”

Reflexologists work with mainstream medicine and in fact, they on occasion refer clients on to GPs. This is where the term ‘complementary’ originates from. ‘Alternative’ medicine is chosen by those wishing to be healed without other medical interventions.

In order to fully benefit from this form of complementary therapy, 4 to 6 treatments are advisable. Before treatment can begin, a general medical history is assessed along with the client’s current lifestyle trends. This helps the practitioner gauge what areas of health need particular attention.

Having experienced both mainstream and holistic medicine, I would prefer the latter. For one thing, you are listened to and you never feel like you are being shoved out the door.

After all, holistic medicine is just as much about the emotional state. And if our thought patterns can compromise our health, we need to start there. The last time I checked, antibiotics are unable to soothe the mind.

Pearl Lonergan lives in Sandymount and is a member of the Irish Reflexology Institute. For an appointment, ring 087 264 3918 or email: pearlreflexology@yahoo.ie