Holistic | Reflexology Reflexology | Holistic

A new stance with VRT

Lynne Booth explains how her Vertical Reflex Therapy the profoundly relaxing ‘diaphragm rocking’
technique is applied for a few minutes
technique differs from classical reflexology
to the feet (this is particularly useful for
improving sleep patterns).
5 At the end of the classical reflexology
good results, with a maximum of two sessions
per week recommended in chronic cases, as
VRT nail chart
the client’s body needs time to adjust. Acute
cases respond well to shorter daily sessions a shoulder point, and, at the same time,
where possible, and self-help, weight-bearing located a tender reflex on the ankle in the

B
riefly working the top of a client’s
feet while they are standing is very
different to the traditional image of a
reflexologist working the soles of a
client’s feet as they recline in a couch.
Vertical Reflex Therapy (VRT) – or vertical
reflexology – works the same reflexes as
a classical reflexology treatment, only the
reflexes are accessed via the dorsum (top) of
the feet while the client is standing or resting
the feet on a hard, flat surface.
As with classical reflexology, the principles
of VRT can be applied to the hands as well
as the feet.
Although a complete VRT treatment
is significantly shorter than a reflexology
treatment (20 minutes versus 60), research
suggests that the body is more responsive
to certain techniques used on the top of
the feet in a weight-bearing position. This
is probably because the anatomical nerves
in the feet become sensitised when weight
bearing and therefore the energetic response
from the reflexes to specific parts of the body
is increased.
However, one of the reasons VRT is
becoming extremely popular in the UK and
abroad is because – as well as being relatively
easy to learn – it is extremely compatible with
classical reflexology. Many therapists have
witnessed excellent results when combining
the two therapies and I recommend a 45 to
60 minute session that comprises reflexology
and VRT as a preferred treatment option.
Masseurs, aromatherapists, osteopaths
and Indian head practitioners have also found
that incorporating a few minutes of basic
VRT techniques into their routine can greatly
enhance their treatments. And, of course, the
other benefit of working the top of the feet
or hands is that clients can be given some
simple self-help techniques to practise at
home in between treatments or to use on a
‘first aid’ basis.
The VRT routine
VRT can be applied to the weight-bearing
or semi-weight-bearing hands or feet of the
client. If the client is sitting or even lying
down, they can press their feet or hands
onto a flat surface, such as a foot rest or
a small tray. This is obviously useful when
the client is disabled or confined to a bed.
To stand for VRT or press the arm
downwards is obviously not very relaxing for
the client or practitioner, but it is compensated
for by the fact that VRT is applied in this
position for a maximum of five minutes only,
and often two or three minutes is sufficient.
The formula for complete VRT refers to
a comprehensive treatment that is very
therapeutic. However, the same formula is
applied whether the treatment lasts for a total
of 20 or up to 60 minutes.
1G  reet the standing feet by giving the
‘pituitary pinch’ to the big toes and
brushing your hands for a few seconds
over the top of the feet.
2 Immediately apply the five minute (or less)
basic VRT sequence, beginning in the
ankle/pelvic area and alternating the feet
after each move. Continue until the entire
dorsum has been treated.
3 T he client then lies down for classical
reflexology (this could be as short as 10
minutes or as long as 50 minutes-plus
– it is the reflexologist’s choice).
4H  alf way through the reclining treatment,
session, the client stands again for a few
minutes of advanced VRT techniques
on the weight-bearing feet – including
three priority reflexes, which are worked
synergistically and include the powerful
zonal triggers.
6 The treatment is concluded with a
harmonising technique.
As with classical reflexology, VRT uses
caterpillar walking and other standard
techniques, and the knuckles are also
incorporated during treatment. Therapists
are encouraged to use other skills they
have learned as part of their classical
reflexology training.
The same level of pressure used in
classical reflexology is generally applied
during VRT, though lighter work is preferable
where sensitive reflexes are concerned as the
feet and hands are more responsive in the
weight-bearing position. The dorsal aspect
of the feet and hands are also bonier and so
a more gentle approach is desirable if clients
are old or have thin skin.
Weekly VRT/reflexology treatments produce
techniques on the hands and feet can be same zone and worked them together with
used several times daily on demand. the corresponding reflex on the hand for 30
seconds per foot. (see diagram left).
Synergistic treatment and VRT nail working is a precise technique
developments in VRT where the toe and finger nails are worked in
Soon after I had mapped out how the reflexes conjunction with the dorsal reflexes. It is a very
could be worked via the top of the foot, I went effective technique that taps into the inherent
on to develop other techniques, including pressure on all the reflexes situated under the
synergistic reflexology (SR), whereby the nails, especially the thumb and big toe nails.
dorsal aspect of the hands and feet can
be worked simultaneously to increase the Who will benefit from VRT?
stimulation of the reflexes. I then identified The accelerated response of VRT offers
zonal trigger reflexes, therapists an extremely useful tool to
situated on the ankles, treat more people in a shorter space of
which are particularly time. In my experience, it enhances every
relevant for reflexology treatment, but is especially
long-standing and suitable for the elderly, chronically ill and
stubborn problems. young children.
Many documented Mobility and muscular/skeletal
examples illustrating conditions tend to respond the quickest
the immediate benefits and an immediate decrease in pain and
of VRT have come an increase in mobility have often been
after the therapist has reported by clients.
selected a priority There is also a wide application for
reflex to stimulate on Synergistic VRT the use of VRT in sport, music, theatre
the foot, for example, demonstrated and dance, and commerce, as well as in

Vertical Reflex Therapy chart

1 Zonal triggers 15 Spleen 33 Pituitary/pineal/ Copyright © 2001 Lynne Booth.
2 Fallopian tubes/ 16 Pancreas hypothalamus It is expressly prohibited to
seminal vesicles/ 17 Stomach 34 Neck – side teach from, copy or reproduce
groin/lymphatic/ 18 Adrenals 35 Brain/skull this chart without written
vas deferens/ helper 19 Duodenum 36 Face/teeth/jaws/ permission. Vertical Reflex
diaphragm/heart 20 Diaphragm tongue/throat Therapy, VRT and the Booth
3 Sigmoid 21 Solar Plexus 37 Helper sinuses/teeth Method ® are registered
4 Colon 22 Thymus 38 Sinuses/brain/skull trademarks of Booth VRT Ltd
5 Small intestine 23 Heart 40 Helper ovary/testes
6 Bladder 24 Shoulder 49 Spine
Illustration: Copyright © lynne booth

Vertical Reflexology by Lynne

7 Ureter tube 25 Chest/lung/breast 50 Larynx/vocal cords Booth, is published by Piatkus
8 Appendix/ileocecal 26 Trachea/oesophagus/ 52 Armpit Books, ISBN 0-7499-2132-3
valve bronchial tubes 56 Sciatic nerve For more information, contact
9 Knee 27 Helper thyroid 57 Cerbellum/brain stem/ Booth VRT Ltd, Suite 205, 60
10 Elbow 28 Thyroid/parathyroid cranial nerve Westbury Hill, Bristol, BS9 3UJ.
11 Kidney 29 Neck 58 Skull Tel: 0117 962 6746,
12 Helper lateral digestive 30 Lymphatics 59 Pelvic/buttock area email: contact@boothvrt.com,
13 Liver 31 Eyes www.boothvrt.com
14 Gall bladder 32 Ears/Eustachian tube

14 | International Therapist Issue 83 | July/August 2008 Issue 83 | July/August 2008 International Therapist | 15
Holistic | Reflexology
professions such as the police and fire
and rescue services. Some hospitals and
hospices are also realising the benefits of
reflexology for their staff as well as patients.
As part of my own practice I regularly
treat elderly residents at the St Monica
Trust, Bristol, and hold a weekly reflexology
clinic for professional athletes. It is
rewarding to help accelerate a recovery
from sports injuries such as groin strain,
tight hamstrings or muscle spasm using the
VRT techniques.
Background to the
discovery of VRT
I developed Vertical Reflex Therapy (VRT)
for the hands and feet in the early 1990s
at the St. Monica Trust, Bristol. I work there
as a reflexologist treating elderly residents
within one of the largest care home
complexes in the UK.
Many reflexologists will appreciate
how difficult it can be working the plantar
aspect of the feet of some disabled
clients and, from sheer necessity, I began
to work the top of the feet as they rested
on the wheelchair supports. Instead of
compromising my treatments, I gained
such excellent results that I began
mapping out the plantar reflexes on
the dorsum.
My research on dorsal reflexes on the
semi-weight-bearing feet continued but
the concept of VRT was only formalised
after I worked with a 74-year-old woman
who damaged her hip in an accident. She
had very limited mobility and was too frail
to undergo a hip replacement operation.
She reported that she was in great pain,
so I knelt down and worked the hip, leg,
spine and pelvic reflexes for no more than
90 seconds while she remained standing.
Ten minutes later, after I had left, she
experienced an acute pain in her right hip
followed by soreness, warmth and tingling,
which lasted approximately 30 minutes.
Her hip was then much less painful and
by the next day she could move her foot
and leg higher than she had done before
the accident. I realised at once that the
missing link to my research was that the
feet had to be fully weight bearing for the
reflexes to become acutely receptive.
Within ten weeks she had regained full
mobility. Subsequently, at 86, although
extremely frail, she was still mobile
and flexible despite an original medical
prognosis of being wheelchair-bound
in 18 months.
Following the woman’s recovery, which
was monitored by the medical staff at
the nursing home, I used what became
known as Vertical Reflex Therapy on all
my clients’ standing feet for all conditions
with great success. I soon began sharing
16 | International Therapist
Case study 1: Brief VRT as that is as high as it will go!
professional treatment She has continued her
footballer, age 24 on Mrs K regular monthly VRT/
Mr M had been unable to reflexology treatments for 11
train due to problems with years and now also takes an
an old knee injury that active interest in nutrition.
was aggravated when he She is an exceptional and
sustained a blow in a game inspiring case.
several weeks before. His
knee was considerably Contraindications
swollen and he was There is no difference
concerned that even mild Case study 2: between VRT and classical
surgery to drain the swelling pensioner, age 92 reflexology in terms of
would delay his return to the Mrs K first came to me contraindications to
first team. for reflexology sessions treatment. However, some
The first time I gave him nearly 11 years ago. At the additional, commonsense
VRT on the standing feet, his time she was 82, was in ‘rules’ do apply when
knee swelled up more in the poor health and very carrying out VRT, i.e. if
evening, but by the morning immobile with chronic the client is frail, prone to
it appeared to have drained arthritis. Mrs K wanted to dizziness or unsteady on
and he had more movement prolong her independence their feet, the therapist
and less pain. I had given after it was suggested that should treat their semi-
him self-help VRT homework she might have to consider weight-bearing feet (or
on his weight-bearing hand, sheltered housing. hands) while they sit down.
which he applied every VRT/reflexology gave her Whether working on
day. Within two days his much greater mobility within a client in a reclining or
knee had lost all the excess weeks and also helped her standing position, therapists
fluid and, within a week, he respiratory problems. She still must proceed with caution
was back to full training. lives alone in her own home, while treating painful hands
He subsequently signed drives a car, has taken and feet. The beauty of
for another club but has several holidays, resumed knowing hand and foot VRT/
returned about once a year gardening and recently reflexology is that if the client
at the first sign of his knee passed three computing has a tender or swollen foot,
swelling and VRT continues exams. She joined a gym the therapist can work the
to ease the pain and where she has to key in ‘Age hand reflexes instead, and
dissipate the fluid. 75’ on the respiratory monitor vice versa.
these discoveries with other reflexologists, period comprising one 15 minute VRT/
and even clients, who achieved similar conventional reflexology treatment
extraordinary results. per week, five of the participants were
In 1997 I conducted a small medically- found to have more mobility and a
approved and monitored study on eight decrease in pain. Two months later their
chronically sick geriatric residents at the improved status remained constant
St Monica Trust. Over a seven week despite no further treatment.
Where can I learn Members’ offer
more about VRT? Lynne’s book, Vertical Reflexology,
I will be giving a two-hour talk which usually retails for £14.99, can
and demonstration on VRT at be bought for just £12.50 (including
Holistic Health on Sunday, 21 p&p) from the FHT Members’
September (for booking details, Catalogue. Please call 023 8062
see page 34) and I am writing 4350, selecting option two, and
an article about VRT nail- quote VRT offer.
working for the next issue of IT. Offer ends: 29 August 2008.
Lynne Booth has been practising reflexology for 17 years and
trained at the International Institute of Reflexology (Orginal Ingham
Method). She has a private practice, runs accredited one-day
VRT courses and frequently gives talks and demonstrations at
international conferences. For more information on VRT, training,
and Lynne’s books and new DVD, email: contact@boothvrt.com or
visit www.boothvrt.com
Issue 83 | July/August 2008