Client Safety and
Practice Scope

Your reflexology therapist prioritizes your safety. Because of this, they will ask you to consult your primary healthcare provider before beginning a session if you are currently experiencing any of the following:

• Active medical care: You are undergoing specific, active treatments with another healthcare provider.
• Closely monitored health metrics: Your blood pressure or blood chemistry is being carefully watched. This includes recent cardiovascular events, active chemotherapy, IVF, starting antidepressants, awaiting blood test results, or preparing for surgery.
• Severe local conditions: You have gangrene, unexplained or severe inflammation, swelling, active infections, or acute injuries (like broken bones or open cuts).
• Extreme sensitivity: The specific areas on your feet, hands, or ears meant to be worked on are extremely sensitive to touch.
• Unknown skin or pain issues: You have an undiagnosed skin rash or unexplained pain.
• Lymphatic circulation concerns: You have a condition where your doctor might advise against stimulating lymph circulation, such as active herpes simplex virus-2, shingles, or active cancer treatments.

How clearance works: Your therapist will ideally want written confirmation from your doctor that reflexology is safe for you right now. However, if your doctor only gives you verbal approval, your therapist can still proceed as long as you both feel completely comfortable. Your therapist will document your doctor's verbal feedback in your client record and ask you to initial it to confirm your informed consent.

When You Might Be Referred to an Advanced Therapist

Reflexology is highly adaptable, but certain health profiles require specialized training. If your therapist does not have specific advanced training, they may refer you to another RCRT™ who does. In addition to the conditions above, you can expect a referral if you fall into certain groups, including:

• Palliative care clients
• Babies and children
• Pregnant individuals
• People living with brain diseases (like Alzheimer’s or dementia)
• People with neurological or developmental conditions (like the autism spectrum or high sensory sensitivity)
• Individuals navigating severe mental health issues
• People living with diabetes

Specific Modalities and Techniques

Different styles and protocols of reflexology have their own specific safety rules. Your therapist will always rely on their specific training to know if a certain technique is safe for your unique health profile, and they will adjust the session accordingly.

Mutual Comfort and Professional Boundaries

• The Comfort Rule: If you ever feel unsure, wary, or uncomfortable, you have the right to pause or stop the session. Similarly, if your therapist feels uncomfortable or unsure about safely treating you, they will not proceed. You will only move forward when you both feel completely comfortable and safe.
• When to Reschedule: For everyone's health and safety, your therapist may choose not to provide therapy if you have cold or flu symptoms, are vomiting, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They will direct you to reschedule.
• Staying in Their Lane: Your RCRT™ is a trained reflexology professional, not a doctor. They will strictly stay within their scope of practice. If you ask for help with something outside of reflexology, they will firmly but gently refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional.