April 1, 1998
Reflexology gets a leg up on ailments
By Garret Leiva
Herald staff writer
Splitting headache? Upset stomach? Sore shoulder? If you have ever suffered any of these ills the cure may be closer at hand than you think. All you have to do is take off your shoes and socks and relax.
While many of us take our toes and metatarsals for granted, Leslie Revnell sees them as a source of healing. As a practitioner of reflexology, this Lake Ann resident uses foot massage to alleviate everything from teething to tension. She even uses index finger and thumb, the tools of her trade, to treat an obvious ailment: sore soles.
But this is not mere rubbing of feet. Reflexology, Revnell noted, is a science that deals with the principle that reflex areas exist in the head, hands and feet that correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the body.
The practice of reflexology uses gentle massage on pressure points in the head, hands and feet to promote healing. In the case of foot massage, each area of the body can be addressed through specific pressure points. The heel can heal sciatic nerve problems. Toes can treat the sinus area. Even the ball of the foot is a benefit to the bronchial area.
Science aside, Revnell stumbled across reflexology by happenstance.
"My mother and I were looking at a magazine article that mentioned pressing on the big toe to get rid of a headache," Revnell said. "Well, the next time someone in the family came up with a headache we worked on the big toe. And, by golly, it worked."
After reading more about reflexology, Revnell took a beginning class with the International Institute of Reflexology. Since that time, she has received her Michigan certification in reflexology, an accomplishment that required her to spend 200 hours training on more than 500 feet.
Now she holds office hours in Traverse City three days a week. A half-hour or hour sessions begins with a foot bath and massage. Later, Revnell dries the feet and, using baby powder, rubs pressure points with her index finger and thumb. Each session, she said, is tailored to address individual concerns, whether it's bad backs or stuffy sinuses.
For follow-up treatments, Revnell recommends a session once a week for six weeks. She also works with client's nutritional needs, "depending on the level of health they are looking for," she said.
When it comes to clients, Revnell has dealt with all walks of life. Teething infants. Attention Deficit Disorder children. Teachers with migraines and waitresses with foot cramps. These are just some of the people who have sought out her fancy foot work.
"I've treated everyone from infants in cribs to grandmas in nursing homes," she said.
As a client of Revnell, Jill Clark of Elmwood Township has been putting her feet up for the past five weeks. The expectant mother said her reflexology sessions have been a form of preventative medicine, as she has not experienced any of the typical pains of pregnancy.
"I feel so much better when I'm done. My feet feel great, like I'm walking around on cushions," Clark said.
But Revnell's biggest client base remains her family. Nieces and nephews take off their shoes and socks and line up to see "Aunt Leslie." Even her husband, Jim, won't let his "extremely ticklish feet" get in the way of a good massage, she said.
Despite such healing benefits, some people still have foot fears when it comes to stripping down to their soles.
"I tell them to just sit down and relax. I've looked at hundreds of feet; it doesn't bother me," said Revnell, who works her massage around bunions, spurs or any other foot imperfections.
Revnell, it seems, has yet to grow callous toward her profession. Even after seeing hundreds of tired toes and well-worn heels, she still has a soft spot in her heart for feet.
"I really enjoy my work and seeing people heal," she said. "I think feet are neat."