I visited colleague Joanne Oliver in Northamptonshire on a crisp Autumn day. The sun was setting against a perfectly blue sky as I arrived, a stunning backdrop to our meeting. Joanne qualified with the Selfheal School in 2001 and I had met her there. Since that time Joanne decided to add to her repertoire of healing skills and was drawn to a form of reflexology called Morrell Reflex Touch.
This technique was developed by Patricia Morrell some 18 years ago and uses the same reflex points on the feet as traditional reflexology, plus a few more. It has then been refined to the most subtle degree of touch and sensibility in order to affect a person on a more subtle and energetic level than merely the physical one. Trials carried out at Cardiff Hospital proved that Reflex Touch was safe to apply straight after operations; it could balance blood pressure and reduce the need for pain relief medication by two-thirds. Further, patients lucky enough to receive this healing touch therapy were able to leave hospital 3-5 days earlier than expected and with less medication.
Jo also relayed how Patricia Morrell underwent a trial by TV Pat had to interview five people, take their case histories and give treatments on camera. Her identification of their problems was very accurate and amazed the assembled statisticians.
This therapy obviously warranted further investigation, and I asked Jo what inspired her to seek another therapy to use alongside her herbal and natural healing methods. Jo told me that after her daughter, Aimee, was born two years ago, she felt the need to give a healing touch treatment as well as the herbs and hoped it would also increase the number of new clients coming to her burgeoning practice. She heard about Reflex Touch from another student and thought it would suit her style.
Reflex Touch seeks to identify problems in the patient. This helps Jo to choose specific herbs and refine her treatment of that person. She finds it is a useful addition to all she can offer. I asked her if it affected her relationship with her client when touch is involved and she felt it was a huge influence. Jo finds the treatment helped the healing exchange of energy and actually made clients more compliant with taking their herbs! It is the opposite effect to the one she had expected and believes that the trust built up between therapist and healee augments the treatment process.
Jo then proceeded to give your grateful reporter one of these reflex experiences. Tough assignment, you may well imagine!
The feet are mapped out in much the same way as in conventional reflexology, but there are no points used.The feet are mapped out in much the same way as in conventional reflexology, but there are no points used. Only vibrational and intuitive touch is applied, which was as light as gossamer. Jo can feel if an area is healthy or not almost before she touches it, so sensitively is it done. She feels the energy rather than presses on the foot and it is incredibly relaxing to receive. Specific imbalances can be felt and, amazingly, which ovary is ovulating, which way a baby is lying, whether an organ is over or understimulated and if it's congested or infected.
As I lay back in the comfy clinic reclining chair, I drifted off into a peaceful healing space. Jo's touch was so gentle, I was barely aware of it and simply sank deeper into relaxation. Her feedback on my general state of health was equally sensitive and reassuring. At the end of the delicate series of strokes on my feet, Jo held them warmly and then sent healing energy back into the rest of my body. The sensation was very real and tingling. It felt warm, pleasant and strong. She could have stayed that way for a good hour, as far as I was concerned, but alas it signalled the end of the treatment.
All in all highly recommended. My feet felt as if they were floating on air with healing cushions under them for at least 24 hours after the treatment and I had a glow for much longer after that.
I certainly benefited from it and would love another one - tomorrow wouldn't be too soon!