Reflexologist adds touch of health to PAC line-up

POULSBO — As the line in the Monkees song goes, when it comes to reflexology, Ashli Schumacher is a believer. A few years back, Schumacher said she didn’t even know what reflexology was until a friend asked her to “donate her feet” for a session. After receiving three treatments of the massage-like manipulation of certain parts of the hands, feet and ears, Schumacher said she was hooked.

POULSBO — As the line in the Monkees song goes, when it comes to reflexology, Ashli Schumacher is a believer.

A few years back, Schumacher said she didn’t even know what reflexology was until a friend asked her to “donate her feet” for a session. After receiving three treatments of the massage-like manipulation of certain parts of the hands, feet and ears, Schumacher said she was hooked.

“I thought, ‘Wow, this is really neat,’” she recalled. “The more I learn, the more amazed I am.”

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The Kingston resident is hoping to spread some of that amazement to North Kitsap residents through a new practice she just opened in the physical therapy office of the Poulsbo Athletic Club. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she offers anyone the chance to come in and feel what she sees as the many benefits of the healing art.

“I find it a very exciting field of alternative medicine,” Schumacher commented.

Schumacher received a Certificate of Mastery in reflexology from Seattle Reflexology & Massage Center earlier this year. She is now working on further certification through the American Reflexology Certification Board. Schumacher is acquainted with the Zinns, who own PAC, and at first asked for the chance to give free reflexology treatments to PAC staff as practice. Wade Zinn later offered Schumacher room in his therapy office.

“Eventually, PAC members who saw me there started asking if they could come to me as clients,” Schumacher recalled. “I’m very fortunate. Wade Zinn has been supportive of me through my schooling and practice.”

The form of reflexology Schumacher uses was developed in the early 1900s but evidence of the practice dates back about 5,000 years. The idea is that there is a map of the body on the feet, the hands and the ears. For instance, a reflexology map of the feet shows the arch of both feet corresponding to the small intestines, the toes linking to the sinuses and just below the pinkie toe relating to the shoulders. Reflexologists believe that manipulating certain parts will balance the whole system and create optimum health.

Though reflexologists do not diagnose, prescribe any treatments or give projected outcomes, Schumacher said the treatments have been used by people for many reasons. The biggest benefit is stress reduction and increased circulation, however, the treatment has been known to help health issues like allergies, pain, constipation, infertility and even in slowing asthma attacks. Reflexology is safe for all ages and Schumacher said she has treated both men and women, but she especially enjoys working with elderly people.

“I think the biggest reward for me has been making people feel better — when someone has a session and notices a remarkable improvement,” she said. “I’ve had people tell me, ‘Oh, my feet are warm for the first time in 10 years. Can you imagine having cold feet for 10 years?”

Schumacher added that she even gets treatments to help keep her synapses firing.

“When I’m going to take a test, I always have reflexology beforehand because it really stimulates your mind,” she said.

Sessions range between 20 and 80 minutes, depending on the client’s needs.

Much like a massage, Schumacher starts with a very gentle touch just to loosen the muscles. Often, she can tell the kinds of problems the person is having because the area on their feet, hands or ears that correspond to that organ will be discolored, tender or swollen. In extreme cases, Schumacher will suggest the client also visit a traditional doctor.

Besides proven benefits on its own, Schumacher said many clients also use reflexology to piggyback onto other alternative treatment forms.

“One of the things I’ve found is it’s very effective in letting the system know it’s going to have work done to it,” Schumacher explained. “So if someone is going to go to a massage therapist or an acupuncturist, this can make that second form of treatment more effective.”

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