Careers in Reflexology
It is estimated that there are around 32,000 reflexologists practising in the UK. Almost 1.5 million people will visit a reflexologist in the UK annually. Reflexologists are now employed in the NHS. Businesses are increasingly using reflexology to help cope with the effects of stress. Reflexologists are appearing in hospices, care homes, clinics, gyms and even on luxury cruise liners.
Opportunities for reflexologists are opening up at a rapid rate, and whilst the traditional route of self employment is still the norm for most reflexologists, more and more are finding part and full-time employment within clinics or corporations.
Private medical establishments are increasingly offering reflexology as an optional therapy. Many nurses and healthcare workers are adding reflexology to their repertoire of skills, while doctors who manage their own budgets find that by employing a reflexologist they can save substantially on their drugs bill.
Most reflexologists working privately charge their clients between £25 and £35 for a treatment in most areas of the UK and typically may charge between £30 and £60 in London. Treatments usually last for 45 minutes to an hour.
It is possible to earn a good living by working full-time as a reflexologist, but, as with any therapy, it takes time to develop a practice so most people begin by working part-time and build up gradually. It is usually necessary to work flexible hours, often including evenings and weekends.
Many people take out private health insurance or medical cover which also covers them to receive treatments from certain complementary therapies. Whilst some of the insurance companies will cover treatments carried out by members of other reflexology organisations, some require the practitioner to be a full member of the Association of Reflexologists and have the letters MAR after their name.
It is very import that you make sure that you check with your training school before you start that the reflexology qualification you are undertaking is acceptable for Association of Reflexologists membership.
A new careers handbook will be available soon from the AoR.