RESTORING BALANCE AND WELLNESS FROM WITHIN
WELCOME
Hello, I'm Mary, a Clinical Reflexologist, and I warmly invite you to experience the ancient, restorative art of reflexology from my peaceful treatment room in Exmouth, East Devon.
Reflexology is a holistic therapy that supports your body's natural ability to restore balance and wellbeing. While it does not diagnose or treat medical conditions, I believe that stress can have a significant impact on both our physical and emotional health. It can affect how we feel, think and function, often contributing to a range of physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioural symptoms.
My treatments are designed to encourage deep relaxation by helping to activate the parasympathetic nervous system – your body's natural "rest and digest" response. By creating the conditions for relaxation, reflexology can support your overall sense of wellbeing and help to bring the body and mind back into balance.
I invite you to take time for yourself, step away from the pressures of everyday life, and invest in your wellbeing. Whether you are seeking a moment of calm, relief from stress, help with sleep or mood, or simply an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, my treatment offers a peaceful space to support you on your wellness journey.
ABOUT ME
My interest in reflexology began during a particularly stressful period in my life. I was looking for ways to feel more grounded and balanced so that I could better manage the demands I was facing. At the time, I was also struggling with my sleep, so after researching different ways to support my wellbeing, I booked a treatment with a local reflexologist—more out of curiosity than anything else.
The experience was transformative. The healing power of therapeutic touch, the deep sense of relaxation I felt during the treatment, and the noticeable improvement in my sleep left a lasting impression. I was so inspired that I decided to train with Sarah Jane Holt at the Devon School of Reflexology.
The course was both fascinating and rewarding, and I qualified with a Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology with Distinction. I am a proud member of the Association of Reflexologists and remain committed to continuing my professional development through further training and ongoing learning.
Alongside my reflexology practice, I'm a mum to two (now young adults) and a much-loved cockerpoo called Buddy. As a family, we love spending time at the beach, sea swimming, and enjoying the outdoors. I'm also passionate about nutrition, women's wellbeing—particularly supporting women through the menopause—and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through dog walking, strength training, yoga, and pilates.
I believe in taking a holistic approach to wellbeing and am passionate about helping others experience the same sense of calm, balance, and restoration that first led me to discover reflexology.
ABOUT REFLEXOLGY
Brief History of Reflexology
The origins of reflexology date back some 3-400 years, to the ancient civilisations of Egypt, India and China, who practiced various ways of healing by applying pressure to the hands and feet. This can be seen in ancient Egyptian tombs, where hieroglyphics show a Physician working the hands and feet for healing purposes.
Modern reflexology as we now know it was developed by an American Physiotherapist named Enice Ingham (1889-1974). She used her knowledge of anatomy and physiology and applied it to the hands and feet, basing her work on the earlier work of Dr. Fitzgerald’s Zone Therapy. She made connections between the muscular and skeletal systems and the ‘reflexes’ of the feet, and her work developed into the first foot charts which we use today. Ingham advocated an “Authoritative’ pressure on the feet, releasing the tension and congestion held in these reflexes, and bringing about a response by the receiver. This method was called the ‘Ingham Method of Compression Massage’ and is what we call reflexology today in its purest form.
What is 'Reflexology' and 'Clinical Reflexology'?
Today, the practice of reflexology is wide and varied, and can be a wonderfully relaxing treatment but a more watered-down version of the original Ingham method. My training from the Devon School of Reflexology pays homage and respect to the work of Ingham and advocates that a firm and stimulating pressure must be implemented to be called reflexology, and is what we mean by ‘clinical reflexology’, which is so much more that a foot massage!
How can Clinical Reflexology help you?
We have over 7000 nerve endings in each foot, that’s more nerve endings per square centimetre than any other part of our body!
Reflexology works with the principle that these nerve endings represent our body’s systems and organs, and interconnect through the spinal cord and brain. By working these reflexes using a variety of pressure stimulating techniques we can unlock areas of congestion, restoring balance (homeostasis) and supporting the body’s natural ability to self-heal. By stimulating these ‘anchor’ points we can also improve the flow of blood and oxygen rich nutrients to all parts of the body. The benefits of reflexology include:
- Releases tension
- Relaxation
- Promotes wellbeing
- Improved mood
- Aids sleep
