4/21/2009

Reflexologist massages damaged feet

By GARY DEMUTH

Salina Journal

Carol Rubino knows firsthand the agony of the feet.

For years, Rubino worked in an orthopedic surgeon's office in San Rafael, Calif., near San Francisco. Observing the condition of many patients' damaged feet disturbed her.

"I saw how people ignored the health of their feet and the consequences that happen when you do," she said.

Rubino wanted to make a contribution to foot health, so 12 years ago she decided to study reflexology, an ancient technique designed to relieve tension, congestion and toxins in the nerves of the feet and in corresponding areas of the body.

The end result of a reflexology session, Rubino said, should be a feeling of well-being and improved health not only in the feet but throughout the rest of the body.

Rubino also is trained as a massage therapist, as is her husband, Joe. After running a massage therapy business in San Rafael for 14 years, the couple moved to Salina in 2005, opening Feet Retreat and Blue Heron Massage at 204 S. Santa Fe.

A longtime runner, Rubino always has been aware of how sore and damaged feet can affect other parts of the body.

A person's foot has more than 7,200 nerve endings, and these nerves connect to organs throughout the body, she said.

Applying gentle to firm pressure on certain nerve centers of the foot, she said, can relieve numerous ailments, including headaches, sinus problems, earaches and intestinal discomfort.

"I'm looking to break calcium deposits in the feet that can block the flow of nerves," she said. "If you can get the nervous system to relax, you can get the body to relax."

Headaches, for example, may be relieved by massaging the big toe area, Rubino said. Blocked sinuses may be drained through manipulating the balls of the toes.

Rubino provides a one-hour reflexology session for $30.

The session also includes a food bath with salt scrub and a massage that focuses on muscles, tendons and joints.

"I believe a lot of foot issues come from calf issues, because muscles run from the calf to the feet," she said.

There are some preventative measures that people can take against sore feet, Rubino said.

Most important is to stretch before running or applying pressure on the feet, and then to stay well hydrated throughout the day.

It also can be helpful to roll your feet over a tennis ball to massage pressure points, Rubino said.

Above all, she said, don't forget to wear good supportive shoes.

"If you put your feet in shoes that aren't comfortable, you really can feel the difference," Rubino said.

Rubino said seeing the relief on her clients' faces after a one-hour reflexology session gives her great pleasure.

"It makes me feel like I'm in the right profession," she said. "My calling is to help people feel better and to educate them about their feet."

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.

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