By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Northborough??”Take a break from the stresses of the holiday season with a relaxing foot reflexology treatment at Spring Foot Reflexology, on Main Street in Northborough. Or give a gift certificate for a relaxing break.
“When you are tired and stressed, treat yourself. Once is good, once a week is much better. If you try it, you will love it,” said Lucy Chen, who opened Spring Foot Reflexology in early 2012 and has been practicing reflexology for 10 years. Her brother opened the first professional reflexology center in the state, in Watertown.
Foot reflexology is an ancient Chinese practice designed to ease tension and improve the function of different parts of the body by applying pressure to the feet. Spring Foot Reflexology specializes in this technique and in Asian body work, acupressure techniques applied to specific points on the body along with deep tissue pressure.
Chen encourages customers to come in with a friend or two and enjoy a one-hour treatment together, relaxing and unwinding before or after the holidays.
In addition to relieving tension, foot reflexology is said to improve the health of various parts of the body. By applying pressure, using trained techniques, to specific areas of the feet believed to correspond to specific organs and parts of the body, that pressure can promote improved natural function of the related parts of the body, according to reflexology practice.
“This style of treatment is almost a thousand years old in China,” Chen explained. “We can feel the parts of the body in the feet.” She pointed to a “map” of the feet that shows the related body parts that are believed to be affected by acupressure at each spot on the feet.
Chen said stimulation of the feet improves circulation and has produced improvement for many people with chronic illnesses when used in combination with conventional medicine.
Spring Foot Reflexology has gift certificates available in any amount for an unusual holiday gift. The cost for a one-hour session of foot reflexology is $35, and a sixth session is free with the purchase of five sessions. Prices for other treatments are listed on the website, www.springfootreflexology.com, along with additional information about reflexology and the treatments available.
A typical treatment at Spring Foot Reflexology lasts for an hour and starts with soaking the feet for 15 minutes. “We use different ingredients in the soaking water depending on what the person needs and on the season of the year,” Chen said.
While the customer's feet are soaking, the technician rubs the back, shoulders and neck to encourage relaxation. The technician then applies pressure to various parts of the feet for the rest of the session while the customer relaxes in a comfortable, reclined chair.
The salon also has three tables for the Asian body work treatment. That treatment, Chen said, is different from the Swedish-style massage people may be more familiar with because it focuses on specific pressure points.
All of the technicians at the salon are professionally trained in reflexology and Asian body work techniques, and both female and male therapists are available, she added.
Located at 10 Main St. in Northborough, at the intersection of Routes 20 and 135, Spring Foot Reflexology is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 508-393-8888.
Editor's Note: The preceding is not an endorsement and is presented for informational purposes only.
