Frequently Asked Questions
Is reflexology safe?
Yes absolutely. However, reflexology is not recommended if you suffer from DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), varicose veins, foot infections, a contagious disease, trauma to the feet or if you are in the first trimester of your pregnancy. If you suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems or are concerned in any way, discuss with your doctor before booking a reflexology session. No two people are the same so what benefits one individual may not have the same result for another.
What does reflexology feel like?
Reflexology is pleasant and can be extremely relaxing. However, sometimes some reflex areas may be more sensitive than others. If you feel any tenderness it is important to let me know so that I can pay special attention to that area and work within your comfort zone.
What will happen when I come to my first treatment?
At your initial consultation you will be warmly welcomed and you will have the opportunity to discuss your health history and your lifestyle so I can tailor a personalised treatment for you. Your will be asked to remove your shoes and socks and sit comfortably in a reclining chair. Your feet will be examined and you will be encouraged to relax whilst all areas of your feet will be worked on.
How many treatments will I need?
The number and frequency of sessions will vary depending on your personal goal for wellness and will always be discussed prior to your treatment plan. Each person is unique and their response to ill health and the treatment vary. It has been observed that if a problem has developped recently fewer treatments are needed. Some people can expect to see an improvement after the first session. For specific health problems six weekly sessions are recommended to help eliminate waste from the body and allow the healing phase to start. When used as a preventative or maintanace programme, monthly or bi-monthly sessions help keep body systems balanced and promote optimum health and wellbeing.
How will I feel after the session?
Generally most people report that a reflexology session is very relaxing. Some people feel energised, others feel tired and sleepy. Occasionally, as the body's elimination systems have been stimulated symptoms such as runny nose, increased perspiration, dizziness, nausea or even stronger reactions may be experienced as waste material is eliminated. These should pass within 24 to 48 hours. Drinking plenty of water will help your body eliminate waste quicker.
Can the use of reflexology guarantee good health?
Reflexology is not a panacea for all ills. It does not diagnose nor cure. However, it can be a valuable means of indicating areas where higher tension or stress is present. Medical studies show that over 75% of all health problems may be linked to tension and stress. Our modern life style cause a great deal of this stress and do nothing to relieve it. By assisting to relieve that stress or tension reflexology can promote the body to heal itself and function at its best.
Is reflexology the same as massage?
No, massage involves muscles and tissue therapy to promote relaxation. Reflexology acts specifically on points which are connected to various parts of the body, improving lymphatic drainage and cicrulation as well as relaxing muscles and stimulating nerve connections.
What personal data do you hold about me? why do you hold it and what do you do with it?
GDPR is bringing in new legal protection for personal information from May 2018. This tells you what personal information I gather via my website, and why, and what your rights are.
Therapist’s Name/Identity: Nicole Hardiment-Diemer
Therapist’s Contact Details:
Telephone No: 07703 112732
Email address: nicole@reflexologyiow.co.uk
Address: 34 Shore Rd, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 8LD
Data Controller Contact Details: Nicole Hardiment-Diemer
Data Protection Officer: Nicole Hardiment-Diemer
The Purpose of processing Client Data
In order to give professional reflexology treatments, I will need to gather and retain potentially sensitive information about your health. I will only use this information for informing reflexology treatments and associated recommendations concerning aspects of health and wellbeing which I will offer to you. I take basic contact details and information via my website to allow me to contact you and handle bookings.
Lawful Basis for holding and using Client Information
As a full member of the Association of Reflexologists, I abide by the AoR Code of Practice and Ethics. The lawful basis under which I hold and use your information is my legitimate interests, i.e.my requirement to retain the information in order to provide you with the best possible treatment options and advice
What information I hold and what I do with it
In order to give professional reflexology treatments, I will need to ask for and keep information about your health. I will only use this for informing reflexology treatments and any advice I give as a result of your treatment. The information to be held is:
• Your contact details
• Medical history and other health-related information (which I will take from you at first consultation)
• Treatment details and related notes (which I will take after each consultation)
I will NOT share your information with anyone else (other than within my own practice, or as required for legal process) without explaining why it is necessary, and getting your explicit consent.
How Long I Retain Your Information for
I will keep your information for the following periods: records to be kept for 8 years after last treatment as per the requirements of the Complementary and Natural Health Council. Law regarding children’s records: records to be kept until the child is 25 or if 17 when treated until the child is 26.
Your data will not be transferred outside the EU without your consent.
Protecting Your Personal Data
I am committed to ensuring that your personal data is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, I have put in place appropriate technical, physical and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect from you.
I will contact you using the contact preferences you give me in relation to:
• Appointment times
• Reflexology information or information related to your health
Your Rights
GDPR gives you the following rights:
• The right to be informed:
To know how your information will be held and used (this notice).
• The right of access:
To see your therapist’s records of your personal information, so you know what is held about you and can verify it.
• The right to rectification:
To tell your therapist to make changes to your personal information if it is incorrect or incomplete.
• The right to erasure (also called “the right to be forgotten”):
For you to request your therapist to erase any information they hold about you
• The right to restrict processing of personal data:.
You have the right to request limits on how your therapist uses your personal information
• The right to data portability: under certain circumstances you can request a copy of personal information held electronically so you can reuse it in other systems.
• The right to object:
To be able to tell your therapist you don’t want them to use certain parts of your information, or only to use it for certain purposes.
• Rights in relation to automated decision-making and profiling.
• The right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office:
To be able to complain to the ICO if you feel your details are not correct, if they are not being used in a way that you have given permission for, or if they are being stored when they don’t have to be.
Full details of your rights can be found at https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/individual-rights/.
If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please use the contact details given above.
If you are dissatisfied with the response you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office; their contact details are at: www.ico.org.uk
THERAPIST’S RIGHTS
Please note:
• If you don’t agree to your therapist keeping records of information about you and your treatments, or if you don’t allow them to use the information in the way they need to for treatments, the therapist may not be able to treat you
• Your therapist has to keep your records of treatment for a certain period as described above, which may mean that even if you ask them to erase any details about you, they might have to keep these details until after that period has passed
• Your therapist can move their records between their computers and IT systems, as long as your details are protected from being seen by others without your permission.
