5. Body of knowledge

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5. Body of knowledge

A text, Developing Vocational Instruction, was utilized to assess tasks involved in the practice of Reflexology as presented to the Board by the Ethics and Standards Committee in September, 1995. The task was to list and detail the kinds of things a reflexologist does. The task created a procedure to discuss the reflexology body of knowledge. The task demonstrated that it is possible to discuss the reflexology body of knowledge in terms of objective criteria. This can then be utilized to create discussion about issues, such as, Course Hours and Syllabus.

Task Listing Sheet
Vocation: Reflexologist

No.

Task

The reflexologist should be able to:

1.

Provide a foot reflexology session.

2.

Provide a hand reflexology session.

3.

Provide self-help information.

4.

Understand the basics of maintaining a professional workplace, marketing, and business skills.

5.

Understand the importance of working with other professionals through building networks and referrals.

6.

Understand the basis of maintaining an ethical, professional, and businesslike relationship with a client.

7.

Describe the theory of how zone theory works.

8.

Describe the theories of how reflexology works.

9.

Describe how to read hand and foot reflexology charts.

10.

Describe recent scientific reflexology research as reported in publications of RAA, and other national and international reflexology associations.

11.

Describe the history of the practice of reflexology.

12.

Describe the parameters of legal practice in general and specifically in the local state and city.

13.

Record client data to create documentation.

14.

Understand the basics of how research is performed.

15.

Apply basic first aid skills.

Vocation: Reflexologist
No.	Task The reflexologist should be able to:
1.	Provide a foot reflexology session.
2.	Provide a hand reflexology session.
3.	Provide self-help information.
4.	Understand the basics of maintaining a professional workplace, marketing, and business skills.
5.	Understand the importance of working with other professionals through building networks and referrals.
6.	Understand the basis of maintaining an ethical, professional, and businesslike relationship with a client.
7.	Describe the theory of how zone theory works.
8.	Describe the theories of how reflexology works.
9.	Describe how to read hand and foot reflexology charts.
10.	Describe recent scientific reflexology research as reported in publications of RAA, and other national and international reflexology associations.
11.	Describe the history of the practice of reflexology.
12.	Describe the parameters of legal practice in general and specifically in the local state and city.
13.	Record client data to create documentation.
14.	Understand the basics of how research is performed.
15.	Apply basic first aid skills.

Task detailing for a foot reflexology session

No.

Steps in Performing the Task -

The reflexologist should be able to:

Task description

1.
Prepare the work area.

Identify sanitary work circumstances for the workplace as well as the reflexologist's hands and client's feet.

2.
Interact appropriately with the client.

Reception of the client and his or her care and comfort. The preparation of the practitioner and the client for session. Initial consultation and recording of the client's details.

3.
Inspect the foot.

Check for cuts, callouses, bruises, signs of recent surgery or injury.

4.
Assess the appropriate length and manner of session.

Consider factors such as old age and other circumstances that determine an appropriate session, such as, one with light work, more often with less time.

5.

Identify the technique sequence of a completed foot reflexology session.

Sequence for first-time work through the foot.

6.
Locate the reflex areas of the feet.

Reflex areas, such as, adrenal glands, arm, bladder, brain, colon, elbow, eye, ear, face, gall bladder, head, heart, sciatica, kidneys, knee, leg, liver, lung, chest, breast, lymphatics system, ovary, testicle, pancreas, pituitary, shoulder, sinus, solar plexus, spine, spleen, stomach, teeth, uterus, prostate. (Referred to as Reflex Area List in further references.)

7.
Apply "pressure technique"* appropriate to (a) each part, (b) zone, (c) reflex area of the foot, and (d) client's stress condition.

(a) Plantar surface of foot: toes, base of toes, ball of foot, arch, heel, Dorsal surface of the foot, toes, top, Medial surface of foot, Lateral surface of foot.

(b) Zones 1 - 5

(c) See Reflex Area List, page 1.

8.
Apply support / protective hold procedures during the pressure technique application.

9.
Apply foot relaxation techniques.

10.
Assess each reflex area of the feet through visual and touch observations.

See Reflex Area List, page 1.

11.
Identify additional pressure technique application appropriate for the individual and the situation for the second-time or subsequent working through the foot.

Patterns, such as, systems of the body (digestive, respiratory, endocrine, nervous, reproductive); zones; referral areas; reflex area patterns specific to a stress condition.

12.
Apply pressure techniques during a second-time work through the foot to a series of reflex areas, zones, and/or referral areas in a pattern based on the findings of the first application.

Patterns, such as, systems of the body (digestive, respiratory, endocrine, nervous, reproductive); zones; referral areas; reflex area patterns specific to a stress condition.

13.
Apply pressure techniques to a series of helper reflex areas in a pattern appropriate to the stress condition.

Stress conditions, such as, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, bursitis, colitis, cold, constipation, diabetes, diverticulitis, dizziness, earache, eczema, emphysema, fainting, fever, gout, hay fever, headache, heart disease, heartburn, hemorrhoids, hiatal hernia, hypoglycemia, hysterectomy, impotence, indigestion, infertility, menopause, menstruation, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, phlebitis, pneumonia, pregnancy, psoriasis, shingles, sinus, sore throat, stroke, tinnitis, tonsillitis, ulcer, varicose veins, whiplash.

14.
Locate the zones of the body and foot.

Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5

15.
Assess each zone for visual and touch observations.

Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5

16.
Locate the referral areas of the body.

Referral areas, such as, hand/foot, wrist/ankle, knee/elbow, arm/leg, hip/shoulder.

17.
Demonstrate the application of self-help pressure technique to referral areas.

18.
Demonstrate the application of self-help pressure techniques to each part, zone, and reflex area of the feet and hands.

19.

Recognize when to refer the client or prospective client to an appropriate health care provider.

20.

Recognize when not to apply technique.

21.
Recognize pathological disorders of the foot and when to refer to the client to appropriate medical personnel.

22.
Observe the client's response during and after session.

23.
Assess the client through the art of listening and observation.

24.
Identify a program of future foot and/or hand reflexology sessions for the client.

25.
Describe an assessment of findings to the client in a responsible, legal, and ethical manner.

Task detailing for a foot reflexology session
No.	Steps in Performing the Task - The reflexologist should be able to:	Task description
1.	Prepare the work area.	Identify sanitary work circumstances for the workplace as well as the reflexologist's hands and client's feet.
2.	Interact appropriately with the client.	Reception of the client and his or her care and comfort. The preparation of the practitioner and the client for session. Initial consultation and recording of the client's details.
3.	Inspect the foot.	Check for cuts, callouses, bruises, signs of recent surgery or injury.
4.	Assess the appropriate length and manner of session.	Consider factors such as old age and other circumstances that determine an appropriate session, such as, one with light work, more often with less time.
5.	Identify the technique sequence of a completed foot reflexology session.	Sequence for first-time work through the foot.
6.	Locate the reflex areas of the feet.	Reflex areas, such as, adrenal glands, arm, bladder, brain, colon, elbow, eye, ear, face, gall bladder, head, heart, sciatica, kidneys, knee, leg, liver, lung, chest, breast, lymphatics system, ovary, testicle, pancreas, pituitary, shoulder, sinus, solar plexus, spine, spleen, stomach, teeth, uterus, prostate. (Referred to as Reflex Area List in further references.)
7.	*Apply "pressure technique" appropriate to (a) each part, (b) zone, (c) reflex area of the foot, and (d) client's stress condition.**	(a) Plantar surface of foot: toes, base of toes, ball of foot, arch, heel, Dorsal surface of the foot, toes, top, Medial surface of foot, Lateral surface of foot. (b) Zones 1 - 5 (c) See Reflex Area List, page 1.
8.	Apply support / protective hold procedures during the pressure technique application.
9.	Apply foot relaxation techniques.
10.	Assess each reflex area of the feet through visual and touch observations.	See Reflex Area List, page 1.
11.	Identify additional pressure technique application appropriate for the individual and the situation for the second-time or subsequent working through the foot.	Patterns, such as, systems of the body (digestive, respiratory, endocrine, nervous, reproductive); zones; referral areas; reflex area patterns specific to a stress condition.
12.	Apply pressure techniques during a second-time work through the foot to a series of reflex areas, zones, and/or referral areas in a pattern based on the findings of the first application.	Patterns, such as, systems of the body (digestive, respiratory, endocrine, nervous, reproductive); zones; referral areas; reflex area patterns specific to a stress condition.
13.	Apply pressure techniques to a series of helper reflex areas in a pattern appropriate to the stress condition.	Stress conditions, such as, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, bursitis, colitis, cold, constipation, diabetes, diverticulitis, dizziness, earache, eczema, emphysema, fainting, fever, gout, hay fever, headache, heart disease, heartburn, hemorrhoids, hiatal hernia, hypoglycemia, hysterectomy, impotence, indigestion, infertility, menopause, menstruation, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, phlebitis, pneumonia, pregnancy, psoriasis, shingles, sinus, sore throat, stroke, tinnitis, tonsillitis, ulcer, varicose veins, whiplash.
14.	Locate the zones of the body and foot.	Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5
15.	Assess each zone for visual and touch observations.	Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5
16.	Locate the referral areas of the body.	Referral areas, such as, hand/foot, wrist/ankle, knee/elbow, arm/leg, hip/shoulder.
17.	Demonstrate the application of self-help pressure technique to referral areas.
18.	Demonstrate the application of self-help pressure techniques to each part, zone, and reflex area of the feet and hands.
19.	Recognize when to refer the client or prospective client to an appropriate health care provider.
20.	Recognize when not to apply technique.
21.	Recognize pathological disorders of the foot and when to refer to the client to appropriate medical personnel.
22.	Observe the client's response during and after session.
23.	Assess the client through the art of listening and observation.
24.	Identify a program of future foot and/or hand reflexology sessions for the client.
25.	Describe an assessment of findings to the client in a responsible, legal, and ethical manner.

Task Listing Sheet

RAA Reports - 14 MAY 1998

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