Meet your Reflexologist
Janette Popat
Reflexologist
My name is Janette, and I am the creator and owner of Nuray Reflexology, based in Ocean Grove on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula.
Nuray pronounced Noor-eye, is of Turkish origin and means “Bright Moon”
My journey as a reflexologist began in 2008 after receiving amazing reflexology treatments for my own health issues. It opened up a whole world of how our inner world constantly affects and adapts to our outer world and vice versa. My fascination with how our bodies work in a holistic dance between mind, body, and spirit grew over the years and eventually drew me to train as a reflexologist. Prior to reflexology, I was a dentist for 20 years, and my clinical experience in public, private and hospital work compliments the need to dig a little deeper to explore the journey back to wellness and how to empower ourselves to heal from within.
I grew up in both Switzerland and England, then lived in Wales for 10 years, where I got married and our girls were born. We moved to Melbourne in 2016 and then relocated to Ocean Grove 2 years later, and feel blessed to call Ocean Grove our home.
After completing my Diploma in Clinical Reflexology with the Australian Association of Reflexology, I began my home-based clinic in 2021.
Reflexology is an ancient art and a much-needed holistic modality for these modern times.
What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is a science that deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in our feet and hands (also face and ears) that relate to all our glands, organs and body systems.
Treatment involves using a unique method of using thumb and finger pressure on these reflex areas.
Reflexology can be used to
Reduce stress and tension
Improves nerve and blood supply
Helps nature achieve homeostasis
Approximately 75% of today’s diseases are attributable to stress and tension having an impact on various body systems to various degrees. Reflexology is a great modality that will guide your body towards reducing tension and stress to allow the body to recalibrate and heal.
Reflexology doesn’t claim to diagnose or cure any illness.
A brief history of Reflexology
Reflexology is a therapy that dates back thousands of years. It can actually be traced back to the ancient civilisations of Egypt, India, Native America and China.
The oldest known documentation of reflexology is a pictograph that was found in the tomb of an Egyptian physician named Ankmahor at Saqqara dating back to 2330 BC, which depicts patients having treatments done on their hands and feet. The Development of Modern Reflexology
The more modern form of reflexology was first pioneered by an ear, nose and throat surgeon by the name of Dr William Fitzgerald (1872-1942). Dr Fitzgerald was the founder of Zone Therapy, which was an earlier form of reflexology. He discovered that exerting pressure on the tips of the toes or fingers caused corresponding parts of the body to become anaesthetised. From this, Dr Fitzgerald divided the body into ten equal zones, which ran from the top of the head to the ends of the toes. By using tight elastic bands on the middle sections of the fingers or toes, or using pegs on the tips of the fingers, minor surgery could be carried out with no further anaesthetic agents required.
However, reflexology as we know it today was pioneered by a woman called Eunice Ingham (1889 – 1974), or the mother of reflexology. Eunice Ingham was a physiotherapist working in a doctor’s practice using the zone therapy developed by Dr Fitzgerald. After extensive research, she discovered that the reflexes on the feet were an exact mirror image of the organs of the body and developed the map of the entire body on the feet. By using acupressure or massage techniques on these points, a positive effect is created in the corresponding body part.
