Each month, Body & More contributing editor Linda Ober will try her hand at a health-conscious food, fad, exercise or activity. This month, she tries a reflexology massage at Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneateles.

Best Foot Forward

Reflexology feels good on feet and hands, promotes overall health

By Linda Ober

Contributing editor

On most days, my hands and feet have it rough. Because I have Raynaud's disease, an ailment characterized by poor circulation to the extremities, they are often cold, of a bluish-purple hue and at times even go numb.

But on a recent Saturday morning, my hands and feet received the royal treatment, thanks to Michael Serrano, lead therapist at the Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneateles. Serrano was my massage therapist for "Mirror Images," a reflexology massage that resort manager and spa director Christopher Pulito calls one of Mirbeau's "diamonds in the rough."

I wanted to try reflexology precisely because it is a somewhat uncommon treatment at your local spa, something different than the wonderful but oft-talked-about Swedish and deep-tissue massages.

Reflexology is a practice that is thought to have roots in ancient Egypt and Asia, according to the American Reflexology Certification Board.

The technique "is used to promote circulation and healing in the organs and the different neuromuscular zones of the body," Pulito explained.

Those who support reflexology maintain that there are reflex areas/zones in the hands and feet that correspond to all of the body's organs and glands. Stimulating these zones in a proper way can help with many health problems, according to the International Institute of Reflexology.

Targeted reflexology can be used to alleviate everything from migraine headaches to digestive issues to stress, Pulito explained, as applying pressure to hands and feet stimulates the body's natural healing powers.

Though I am fortunate enough not to have many aches and pains, I figured a 50-minute foot and hand massage couldn't hurt any.

(Confession: I still can't tell you much about what reflexology looks like, as the movements and smells put me in a trancelike state. But what does it feel like? Heavenly.)

Though each therapist performs his/her own variety of reflexology, Mirbeau's approach of starting with a eucalyptus foot soak and scalp massage seemed just fine to me. The hot water draws the blood away from one's core and down to the feet, allowing the reflexology to be more effective, Pulito said.

Fortunately, I'm not ticklish, so when Serrano later started to rub my tread-upon tootsies, I could feel the tension quickly leave my body. He used a lotion that contained a mixture of pleasantly powerful products.

"Rosemary is a little more stimulating, menthol is more cooling and lavender is relaxing," Serrano told me later, noting that the menthol is particularly good for joint inflammation. "Combined, the oils soften cracked heels."

For several minutes � with the massage, dimly lit room and nature sounds in the background, I lost track of time � Serrano worked his way from one foot to the next, pushing his thumb into the pads of my feet, concentrating on the heels, stretching my toes one way or the other.

He also applied pressure with hot stones. Truth be told, it seemed a little odd at first, but the soothing feeling replaced any sort of silliness I might have originally felt about having small hot stones placed between all of my toes.

Serrano concentrated on certain parts of the foot. For example, he massaged my big toes (which are said to represent the head) and the tips of my toes (the sinuses).

"As the points are stimulated, they're able to push out more nutrients" and oxygen to the targeted glands and organs, Pulito said.

And there was a reason that Serrano kept switching from one foot to the next. "(The foot) represents the body system. Maybe part of your body is on one foot and the other part is on the other," he said, using the digestive system as an example.

After concentrating on my feet, Serrano next moved to my hands, where he proceeded to apply pressure to specific points both with his own hands and the hot stones.

When the massage was over � had 50 minutes really gone by? � I was no longer the Ice Queen. My hands and feet were smooth and of a normal body temperature, even warm!

Because this was a general reflexology massage, it was not designed to treat any particular ailment but to promote the overall health benefits that are said to be associated with this technique. The "Mirror Image" massage touches on a variety of points, so those who undergo it may notice subtle improvements in their overall body wellness, relief of minor aches and pains, and better circulation and healing, Pulito said.

If a client requests it, he/she can meet with a Mirbeau massage therapist for a series of sessions to focus on specific areas of the hands or feet to help with such health problems as migraines. (It should be noted, however, that there are some critics who don't believe in the method. Whatever your take, reflexology is not designed to replace traditional medical treatment for serious diseases.)

There are several types of people who seek out this kind of technique, Pulito continued.

"It's a great way for people to start off their spa experience," he said, noting that reflexology gives individuals a chance to ease into their comfort zone if they've never received a massage before.

The massage may also be for you if you can't have work done on other areas of your body because of an injury or surgery.

As an added bonus, Mirbeau gives its reflexology clients a color-coded card so that they can learn the zones and then try a massage or two at home. Anyone willing to give me a (ahem) hand?

Breakout 1: For more information on Mirbeau's "Mirror Images" reflexology massage (50 minutes, $130), visit www.mirbeau.com or call (315) 685-1927.

Breakout 2: Want to see Linda try a new healthy diet? Exercise? Fad? E-mail her at srtabaja@yahoo.com.