About Penny Lane Reflexology:
Penny Lane Reflexology and Massage is owned and operated by Penny Brown, RRPr., (registered reflexology
practitioner). She received her reflexology certification
through
Limestone School of Natural Healing, and is registered with the
Reflexology Registration Council of Ontario. She has also
received her certification for Indian Head Massage from Fusion School
of Natural Health. Additionally, she has completed workshops in
aromatherapy, and relaxation massage (not a registered massage
therapist) with LSNH. She recently completed a Hot Stone Therapy
certification with The Stone Massage Company, and is pleased to offer
this alone or in combination with her other services.
Penny’s services are currently available Mondays (all day) and Tuesday evenings at the Lila Center
in downtown Kingston, at 156 Princess St., suite 200 (corner of
Bagot). On other days, she works from her home studio in Odessa, Ontario.
To book an appointment, please call 613-217-8520. Messages will be returned ASAP. You can also send an email to pennylanereflexology@gmail.com. For more information about Penny, click here.
Gift Certificates
are also available! A wonderful and unique gift idea for friends,
family, co-workers, or anyone else on your gift list!
What is Reflexology?
Many
people either don’t know what reflexology is, or they think it is
simply a “foot rub”. But reflexology is a natural healing art based on
the principal that there are reflexes in the head,
hands, and feet that relate to all areas of the body. These reflexes
are like “pressure points”, and stimulating them using various pressure
and massage techniques increases the flow of energy to the
corresponding areas of the body, encouraging circulation, healing,
detoxification, relaxation, and much more! Occasionally, little
hard beads or "crystals" can be felt on the soles of the feet during a
treatment, and these are believed to be toxic deposits which have
settled in our feet. Working these areas helps break them up, and
further promotes the body’s detoxification and cleansing process.
It is a non-invasive, preventative form of health care that encourages
the body to regain a state of homeostasis, and over-all well being.
It is also a wonderful treatment for individuals who may not be
comfortable with a body-massage.
Hands:
A
short session of hand reflexology is also added during a regular
reflexology treatment. However, if preferred, a complete reflexology
treatment can be given on the hands instead. This may be
particularly beneficial for clients who suffer from hand and arm
ailments, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury ,
arthritis in the hands, or just simply sore hands and arms due to
over-use. Hand reflexology is beneficial for the whole body as well, as
the body is mapped out in the hands just as it is in the feet. This
also may be an option for persons not wishing to have their feet
touched due to disease, injury, surgery, or other discomforts.
Typically,
a reflexology session (either hands or feet) lasts about an hour.
Generally, a person is lying down, and a small head massage is followed
by approximately 45 minutes on the feet, ending with a short session on
the hands. This connects all the extremities to one another, allowing
renewed energy to flow through the entire body.
What is Indian Head Massage?
Indian
Head Massage has roots in Ayurvedic Medicine, and it a traditional
massage practiced within families in India. IHM uses the concept of “marma points”, which
are similar to reflexes or pressure points, found all over the body.
Stimulating the marmas found in the shoulders, neck, and head increase
circulation, energy flow, and healing to the areas being worked, as
well as the rest of the body. It also works with the top three “chakras”,
the crown, third eye, and throat. Different massage techniques,
pressures and rhythms stimulate the soft tissues in the head, neck and
shoulders, allowing tension to release, muscles to relax, and knots and
nodules to melt away. Most people feel noticeably more relaxed and
‘loosened up’ or ‘lighter’ after a session. Indian Head Massage can be
helpful for tension headaches, eyestrain, ear problems, insomnia, neck
and shoulder pain and stiffness, colds and congestion, hair loss and
thinning, scalp tension, fatigue, stress, anxiety, and much more! Oils
were traditionally used and selected based on their healing properties.
Oils can be used during a treatment if requested, however, most people
choose not to use them as it does leave the hair oily, and one may have
other places to go after a treatment. However, if a client chooses the
full-back massage with the IHM option, oils are necessary on the back
and neck areas.
Traditionally,
an average Indian Head Massage session lasts about 20-45 minutes. It is
done fully clothed and sitting upright in a chair. Wear a loose fitting
shirt with an open collar. If the client prefers, it can also be done
lying down on a massage table (clothed). However, many people prefer
the full-back option, and this requires the client to disrobe from the
waist up, and the massage is given lying down and using oils. The full
back version lasts about one hour.
Aromatherapy/Relaxation Massage
Aromatherapy/Relaxation
Massage is a gentle “relaxation” massage using essential oils
(aromatherapy) in natural base oil, blended to meet the needs of the
individual. This type of massage is not as "deep" as one given by a
registered massage therapist, and is geared towards relaxation and the
absorption of essential oils through the skin, each having their own
healing properties. Generally, clothing is removed, but the client is
discreetly draped to ensure the privacy of both client and
practitioner. Each session lasts about one hour.
Hot Stone Therapy
Hot Stone Massage Therapy combines a
relaxation massage with the use of
hot stones which are either massaged
over the body, or placed on specific areas. The stones are heated in
hot water, or sometimes cold stones are used, which have been cooled in
cold water. Naturally formed basalt stones are used,
which have been created through volcanic eruption. They are the best
choice for hot stone therapy, because of their natural smoothness,
their inherent ability to retain heat. They also contain magnetic properties which
contribute to their healing qualities. The heat from the stones
increases circulation and metabolism, causing muscle tissues to relax,
allowing tension, knots and stress to melt away. It can also be
beneficial during seasonal changes that come with colds and flu. Some
of the things that Hot Stone Therapy can benefit are muscle and joint
pain, lymphatic circulation, menstrual pain, headaches, and over-all
stress, leaving one feel grounded and relaxed. The water temperature
can be adjusted if the client finds the stones too hot or too cool,
again, the client would be encouraged to speak up if any discomfort is
felt. Typically, a session lasts 60-75 minutes.
A Combination Treatment
A combination treatment is any two
treatments together, such as reflexology and Indian Head Massage, or
reflexology and relaxation massage, or Hot Stone and reflexology. One
or the other may be altered or shortened somewhat; however, a
combination treatment lasts about 90 minutes. Adding Hot Stone Therapy
to Reflexology or Indian Head Massage would add $10 to the treatment,
but would still be approximately a 60 minute treatment.
Do these treatments hurt?
Some people are more sensitive than
others, or some areas may hurt more than others, but generally, most
people find Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, and
Hot Stone Massage relaxing and very pleasurable. The goal is relaxation
and healing, not pain, but pain may occur in areas of injury, or a lot
of tension. Some people may be more sensitive than others to the heat
of the hot stones, and the temperature can be adjusted accordingly. A
client would be encouraged to speak out if any discomfort is felt, and
heat can be reduced, or pressure can be lightened, or areas avoided if
need be. If a client has a headache or migraine, light pressure would
also be used, however, the IHM may alleviate this problem.
Everyone will have their own reaction, and some people do
experience side effects such as nausea, dizziness, extra bowel movement
or urination, sweating or chills, sleepiness or even emotional release
during or after a treatment. Others experience none at all. This is
often the body’s way of eliminating wastes, and letting go of stress
and tension. It is best to drink a lot of water and to relax as much as
possible following a treatment.
Costs
Reflexology
$50
With hot stones
$60
Indian Head Massage
$40
with full back
$60
with hot stones
$70
Aromatherapy Massage
$60
Hot Stone Massage
$75
Combination treatment
$90
Note: As a member of
the Reflexology Registration Council of Ontario, Penny Brown (RRPr), is
committed to upholding and maintaining the standards set by them, to
protect the identity and the right to practice reflexology in the
province of Ontario. Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, and Aromatherapy
massage should not be confused as a form of “body-rubbing” or erotic
massage, and are legitimate forms of holistic and complimentary
therapies. To protect herself from any misconception, the practitioner
reserves the right to refuse treatment, or ask for a reference when the
client is unknown to her.
Links:
RRCO: http://www.rrco-reflexology.com/
Fusion School of Natural Health: http://www.jackiecave.com/
Limestone School of Natural Healing: http://www.lsnh.ca/
The Stone Massage Company: http://www.thestonemassage.com/